Senior Director Brand Strategy
About the role
This is an 18-month contract based out of Montreal or Toronto Publicis Health office
(hybrid 3 times/week in office)
You see the white space before others do. You write creative briefs that ignite ideas, not just align teams. And you translate complex science into human stories that move markets, HCPs, and patients.
As Senior Director of Brand Strategy , you’ll lead the strategic thinking behind breakthrough work for pharma and life sciences brands. You’ll turn insight into action, data into differentiation, and clinical complexity into clear, compelling brand strategy.
You’re a big-picture thinker with a sharp eye for detail. Fluent in healthcare for HCP and DTC across Canada and US. Trusted by clients. And a true partner to creative, account, and medical teams.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead brand strategy from insight to execution, developing positioning platforms, messaging architectures, and strategic narratives
- Craft insight-driven creative briefs that inspire breakthrough work
- Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted client advisor
- Support tactical and integrated channel planning efforts
- Market research collaboration: Collaborate with internal and client teams on
- Translate complex medical and scientific information into clear strategic frameworks
- Lead workshops and strategic sessions that push thinking forward
- Ensure strategy connects across creative, content, and activation
- Contribute to new business pitches and growth initiatives
- Mentor and develop junior strategists while raising the bar for strategic thinking
Responsibilities:
Shape Strategy That Drives Business
- Lead brand strategy from insight through execution—developing positioning platforms, messaging architectures, and strategic narratives grounded in research, data, and real human insight
- Own strategic direction for assigned brands, ensuring every recommendation is clear, compelling, and aligned to client business objectives
- Craft insight-driven creative briefs that inspire breakthrough work and give creative teams true strategic clarity
- Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted client counselor, translating complex insights into actionable communication roadmaps
- Lead workshops, stakeholder interviews, and strategic sessions that push thinking forward—not just document what exists
- Ensure strategy connects across all key touchpoints, from creative development and content planning to activation and optimization
Drive Growth
- Contribute meaningfully to new business efforts—shaping strategic approaches, crafting pitch narratives, and presenting with confidence
- Stay ahead of industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging opportunities while keeping teams grounded in marketing fundamentals and human behavior
Bring Deep Healthcare Expertise
- Act as a subject matter authority on client brands, therapeutic areas, and competitive landscapes and audiences (HCP, patient, DTC)
- Translate complex medical, scientific, and clinical information into clear strategic frameworks that guide creative and communication planning
- Apply deep knowledge of biopharma and life sciences—especially in rare or hard-to-treat diseases—to create positioning that truly breaks through
Lead Through Collaboration
- Partner closely with account, creative, medical, digital, and client teams to ensure strategic alignment from kickoff to delivery
- Elevate internal thinking by clarifying brand ambition, audience insight, and strategic opportunity
- Build strong, productive relationships that enable great work and shared ownership
Requirements:
- 10+ years of brand strategy or strategic planning experience in pharmaceutical marketing and advertising industry.
- Proven success developing positioning, messaging, and integrated communication strategies
- Deep understanding of biopharma and healthcare dynamics; leading strategy for AOR client across Canada and US
- Strong client-facing presence with the ability to present complex thinking clearly
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree a plus
About Publicis Health
Publicis Health is the health and wellness vertical of Publicis Groupe, the most-established communications holding company in the world. We are a growing network of 11 brands with 40+ agencies worldwide and a population of 3,000+. At Publicis Health, we are uniquely positioned to make an impact through the work that we do in in healthcare marketing and communications, and health isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are.
We believe healthcare marketing is an essential part of healthcare. When you work with us, you join a tight-knit community of award-winning creative directors and clinical trial designers, accomplished data-scientists and media specialists, behavioral science innovators and analytics practitioners; all united around one purpose—to create a world where people are equipped and motivated to take control of their health and well-being.
We share a passion for the life-changing work healthcare industries create, and we believe that together we can move people toward the products and services that will change their lives for the better. Our beliefs and purpose inspire how we take care of our people—prioritizing your health and well-being across every stage of your personal and professional life.
Senior Director Brand Strategy
About the role
This is an 18-month contract based out of Montreal or Toronto Publicis Health office
(hybrid 3 times/week in office)
You see the white space before others do. You write creative briefs that ignite ideas, not just align teams. And you translate complex science into human stories that move markets, HCPs, and patients.
As Senior Director of Brand Strategy , you’ll lead the strategic thinking behind breakthrough work for pharma and life sciences brands. You’ll turn insight into action, data into differentiation, and clinical complexity into clear, compelling brand strategy.
You’re a big-picture thinker with a sharp eye for detail. Fluent in healthcare for HCP and DTC across Canada and US. Trusted by clients. And a true partner to creative, account, and medical teams.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead brand strategy from insight to execution, developing positioning platforms, messaging architectures, and strategic narratives
- Craft insight-driven creative briefs that inspire breakthrough work
- Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted client advisor
- Support tactical and integrated channel planning efforts
- Market research collaboration: Collaborate with internal and client teams on
- Translate complex medical and scientific information into clear strategic frameworks
- Lead workshops and strategic sessions that push thinking forward
- Ensure strategy connects across creative, content, and activation
- Contribute to new business pitches and growth initiatives
- Mentor and develop junior strategists while raising the bar for strategic thinking
Responsibilities:
Shape Strategy That Drives Business
- Lead brand strategy from insight through execution—developing positioning platforms, messaging architectures, and strategic narratives grounded in research, data, and real human insight
- Own strategic direction for assigned brands, ensuring every recommendation is clear, compelling, and aligned to client business objectives
- Craft insight-driven creative briefs that inspire breakthrough work and give creative teams true strategic clarity
- Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted client counselor, translating complex insights into actionable communication roadmaps
- Lead workshops, stakeholder interviews, and strategic sessions that push thinking forward—not just document what exists
- Ensure strategy connects across all key touchpoints, from creative development and content planning to activation and optimization
Drive Growth
- Contribute meaningfully to new business efforts—shaping strategic approaches, crafting pitch narratives, and presenting with confidence
- Stay ahead of industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging opportunities while keeping teams grounded in marketing fundamentals and human behavior
Bring Deep Healthcare Expertise
- Act as a subject matter authority on client brands, therapeutic areas, and competitive landscapes and audiences (HCP, patient, DTC)
- Translate complex medical, scientific, and clinical information into clear strategic frameworks that guide creative and communication planning
- Apply deep knowledge of biopharma and life sciences—especially in rare or hard-to-treat diseases—to create positioning that truly breaks through
Lead Through Collaboration
- Partner closely with account, creative, medical, digital, and client teams to ensure strategic alignment from kickoff to delivery
- Elevate internal thinking by clarifying brand ambition, audience insight, and strategic opportunity
- Build strong, productive relationships that enable great work and shared ownership
Requirements:
- 10+ years of brand strategy or strategic planning experience in pharmaceutical marketing and advertising industry.
- Proven success developing positioning, messaging, and integrated communication strategies
- Deep understanding of biopharma and healthcare dynamics; leading strategy for AOR client across Canada and US
- Strong client-facing presence with the ability to present complex thinking clearly
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree a plus
About Publicis Health
Publicis Health is the health and wellness vertical of Publicis Groupe, the most-established communications holding company in the world. We are a growing network of 11 brands with 40+ agencies worldwide and a population of 3,000+. At Publicis Health, we are uniquely positioned to make an impact through the work that we do in in healthcare marketing and communications, and health isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are.
We believe healthcare marketing is an essential part of healthcare. When you work with us, you join a tight-knit community of award-winning creative directors and clinical trial designers, accomplished data-scientists and media specialists, behavioral science innovators and analytics practitioners; all united around one purpose—to create a world where people are equipped and motivated to take control of their health and well-being.
We share a passion for the life-changing work healthcare industries create, and we believe that together we can move people toward the products and services that will change their lives for the better. Our beliefs and purpose inspire how we take care of our people—prioritizing your health and well-being across every stage of your personal and professional life.