Account Director

About IHC

IHC is an integrated marketing and communications agency bringing strategy, communications, content, social, community and talent together. We help brands tell stories that shape perception, build meaningful connections and give audiences a reason to care.

The role

IHC is seeking an experienced, strategically minded Account Director to lead U.S. PR and communications across a portfolio of clients. Working closely with the Managing Director, you'll shape account direction, advise senior clients and bring teams together around an integrated strategy.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone with deep health and wellness expertise, an active U.S. editorial network and a record of securing meaningful coverage and podcast appearances. You'll move between high-level strategy, editorial storytelling, client leadership and execution.

Key responsibilities

1. Integrated Marketing & Communications Strategy

• Translate client objectives, brand positioning and business priorities into clear, actionable communications plans.

• Develop a central brand narrative and connect press, podcasts, social, content, talent, influencers and events around it.

• Identify cultural conversations, industry trends and emerging opportunities that can strengthen client positioning. Advise clients on where they can contribute credibly and how to engage the audiences that matter.

2. Media Relations & Editorial Strategy

• Maintain active relationships with U.S. editors, journalists and producers across national, trade and specialist print, digital and broadcast outlets.

• Lead proactive outreach. Use editorial calendars, news cycles and outlet priorities to develop timely angles and secure features, profiles, interviews and expert commentary.

• Build executive visibility through thought leadership, speaking opportunities and strategic media placements.

3. Podcast Strategy & Bookings

• Build targeted show lists based on audience fit and client objectives. Develop distinct guest angles and personally pitch priority hosts, producers and bookers.

• Own the process from outreach and booking through guest preparation. Coordinate with social and content teams to extend the reach of interviews.

4. Health & Wellness Industry Expertise

• Position brands, founders and experts across areas such as longevity, metabolic health, preventive health, nutrition, fitness and wellness innovation.

• Translate research and complex health topics into accessible stories that balance scientific credibility, expert authority and consumer relevance.

• Spot sensitive claims and emerging reputational issues early. Work with client experts and reviewers to make sure communications reflect the available evidence.

5. Client Leadership & Account Management

• Serve as a senior strategic partner to clients. Lead meetings, presentations, planning sessions and campaign reviews, and anticipate where clients need counsel.

• Own account plans, scope, deliverables, timelines and budgets. Set campaign goals and report on audience fit, coverage quality, which key messages appear in coverage and measurable business outcomes where available.

6. Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Set priorities and standards for account teams. Mentor junior colleagues, review pitches and client materials, and clarify who owns each part of the work.

• Coordinate with the Managing Director and across PR, social, content, community and talent. Improve team processes where they can make delivery more consistent.

7. Business Development & Growth

• Contribute to pitches, proposals and strategic presentations. Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and bring relevant industry insight to new business conversations.

Experience & qualifications

• Approximately eight years of experience in PR, communications or integrated marketing agencies, including responsibility for multiple client accounts and cross-functional teams.

• Deep U.S. health and wellness PR experience and a working knowledge of the brands, experts, research and consumer conversations shaping the space. Hospitality experience is preferred. Beauty experience is a plus.

• An active U.S. media network and a track record of personally securing high-quality earned coverage across relevant national, trade or specialist outlets.

• Hands-on experience securing podcast bookings for founders, executives or experts, with established relationships with hosts, producers or bookers.

• Experience developing communications strategies grounded in brand positioning, advising senior clients and leading campaigns from planning through measurement.

• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills, with the ability to make complex topics clear and identify a strong editorial angle.

• Strong organizational and commercial judgment, including the ability to manage scope, coach teams and identify opportunities to grow client relationships.

The ideal candidate

You're a natural connector with an editorial instinct and a strong understanding of brand. You can see the relationship between a founder's story, the audience it matters to and the right moment to tell it. You know how to bring the right people into the work and are comfortable giving a client direct counsel when an angle needs stronger evidence or a sharper point of view.

You take initiative, follow through and bring the same care to pitching an editor as you do to leading a client conversation.