Director, Strategic Planning

The Director, Strategic Planning establishes and leads brand strategy, serving as the strategic link across Account, Medical, and Creative teams. This role is responsible for building the strategic foundation
for our work – shaping brand narratives, translating complex science into clear, compelling platforms, helping clients bring transformative therapies to market. The Director, Strategic Planning bridges medical insight with creative ambition to ensure our work influences real-world decision-making and drives impact.

Job Duties

Role and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead strategic partner on assigned client accounts, guiding positioning, messaging, and brand expression
• Lead the development of brand strategy across the product lifecycle, from early positioning through launch and ongoing management
• Partner closely with Account, Creative, and Medical teams to ensure strategic alignment and excellence in execution
• Translate scientific and market insights into clear, motivating and actionable brand platforms and campaign strategies
• Collaborate on and shape briefs that enable strong, effective creative work
• Craft differentiated brand narratives that align with client objectives and resonate with target audiences, including HCPs, patients, and consumers
• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to clients across product launches, brand evolutions, and market-shaping initiatives
• Drive insight generation through market research, translating findings into actionable strategies across messages, channels and deliverables
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to establish pre-kickoff project plans and strategic guardrails
• Develop and apply brand planning tools and approaches, including positioning workshops, journey mapping, segmentation, insights mining, and competitive assessments
• Contribute to business development efforts, including pitches and proposals, as needed
• Proactively identify opportunities for brand growth and differentiation
• Foster strong client partnerships to mitigate issues and identify new business opportunities
• Mentor and grow strategic talent as the function expands
• Establish and evolve best practices, frameworks, and processes for brand planning

Internal and External Relationships

• Represent the agency with professionalism and sound judgment
• Actively contribute to a positive, collaborative work culture
• Facilitate clear communication between internal teams and clients to support effective account management
• Set clear priorities, resolve conflict constructively, and celebrate shared success
• Keep senior management informed of key client, team, and business considerations

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership skills, with deep experience in strategic pharmaceutical marketing
• Ability to move seamlessly between big-picture thinking and hands-on execution
• Skilled facilitator for workshops, co-creation sessions, and client presentations
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for building new capabilities
• Excellent communicator, able to distill complex data and science into clear, compelling stories
• Strong integrity and accountability; sound judgement
• Diplomatic and effective in negotiation and conflict resolution
• Proven ability to mentor, develop, and empower talent
• Strong analytical, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Confident presenter who can develop a clear viewpoint and lead meaningful internal and client discussions

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, or a related field
• 7+ years of healthcare advertising or communications experience, with deep expertise in brand strategy and planning, leading AOR HCP and patient/consumer accounts
• Proven experience leading strategy for pharmaceutical brands across the product lifecycle (pre-launch experience strongly preferred)

How We Work

• In-person collaboration is valued at key moments; travel may be needed when it meaningfully supports client or team outcomes
• The role offers autonomy and flexibility with occasional time-intensive phases tied to launches or major deliverables

Synchrony places high value on the well-being of its employees; therefore, Synchrony team members are eligible for a comprehensive array of benefits, including competitive salaries, generous paid time off, excellent health insurance, family leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EOE. Synchrony is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Be part of something great!

Synchrony Group is an independently owned network of companies, headquartered in West Chester, PA.

At Synchrony, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services in the medical communications industry. Our vision is to create the highest value for our clients and the most opportunity for our team members, while working together to improve the lives of patients. Collectively, we are leaders in strategic planning, development, and execution of best-in-class programs that address medical needs, maximize strategic objectives, and make significant scientific and clinical contributions. Our passion and commitment to improving outcomes for our clients, healthcare professionals, and patients drives us to exceed expectations in everything we do.

Synchrony consists of integrated groups of medical-scientific, clinical, creative, commercial, and industry experts. Synchrony Healthcare Communications specializes in branded and disease state marketing/promotional campaigns and initiatives.Our teams reflect our commitment to excellence—we’re smart, enthusiastic, and driven. We align the skills, experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals to achieve unparalleled results in an environment of respect and mutual support. Above all, we are passionate about changing the world and improving the lives of patients.

Our success is built on the foundation of our team, and we’re always striving to strengthen our foundation. More than just seeking out the best and brightest to join us, we also create a work environment in which employees are respected and encouraged to grow.

Are you looking to be part of something great? We’d like to meet you!