Vice President - Health Media

 

-Building Together-

Fleishman Hillard and Porter Novelli are coming together as one integrated agency under the Fleishman Hillard banner, bringing together two industry-leading teams to create something even stronger.

Our combination provides more of what clients need right now: teams with deeper sector expertise, faster access to solutions, and the precision to handle complex, mission-critical assignments. Together, we are one of the industry’s leading communications consultancies, with pronounced strength in health & life sciences, technology, financial services, social impact, and public sector, among others.

The Role 

Porter Novelli has an immediate opening for a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Health Media with a strong pharmaceutical communications background and proven media relations skills to join our healthcare practice.

This role requires an expert in healthcare media strategy, counsel and execution for major pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical clients with a command of scientific concepts and consumer media experience. As a leader in our organization, the successful candidate will have strong media relations chops, a rich understanding of the modern communications landscape and an ability to identify the right platform and right targets for the right story as well as strong program management skills – able to navigate and execute multiple programs at once. They also will be able to provide expert counsel and drive impactful results.

The VP of Health Media will oversee high-impact projects, manage client relationships in collaboration with the account team leads, and support growth initiatives across multiple accounts. The ideal candidate has a robust background in health-focused communications, exceptional media relations expertise, and a commitment to inclusive, innovative thinking.

What you will be doing:

• Lead and develop strategic health media and communications programs for pharmaceutical and healthcare clients, including business storytelling, consumer outreach, HCP engagement, and advocacy.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing expert counsel and supporting strategic decision-making.
• Oversee high-level media strategy and execution, including media relations with top-tier health and lifestyle outlets, influencer engagement, and integration of PR into broader marketing initiatives.
• Drive creative campaign development, leading teams through program planning, execution, and analysis.
• Manage media programs for product launches, disease awareness, brand initiatives, and reactive media needs.
• Monitor health industry trends, regulatory processes, and media landscape changes to inform strategy and execution.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment, and mentor junior staff, emphasizing growth, diversity, and creativity.
• Manage cross-functional teams, providing leadership, direction and guidance to ensure we deliver our best work and exceed client expectations
• Contribute to business development, supporting new client acquisition, organic growth, and strategic pitches.

The Experience that will contribute to your success:

• 10+ years of public relations or communications experience, with a strong background in health media and healthcare or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Proven track record in executing high-impact media relations and integrated communications strategies within the health landscape.
• Must have strong background in data communications and regulatory milestones, including medical meeting strategy and onsite media support.
• Deep experience in developing and overseeing media strategy across multiple key businesses in a client portfolio, understanding how key elements overlap and work together across key media and publications.
• Strong client-facing experience, with the ability to provide insightful, strategic counsel and manage high-level relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams and budgets, with strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Expert knowledge of healthcare regulations, data, and industry practices; oncology experience is a plus.
• Creative problem-solver, adept at developing and executing innovative communications campaigns, also with experience in newer media platforms such as Substack.