What does a typical day in the life of an Account Director look like?
Jumping between a diverse set of clients and their needs is a high-level snapshot of every day for me. However, no day is exactly typical. I could be developing a plan or working on materials for clients or drafting a media strategy for the largest global client within the Edelman network or talking to a patient advocacy group or meeting with various global teams to align around the client’s that we serve.
What three skills do you think are essential to fulfil your role?
Creativity, ability to empathize and connect with people and curiosity/interest in healthcare and how it impacts people and society.
What do you like best about working at Edelman?
Edelman provides many opportunities to work within globally interconnected teams and variety in your work, and best of all so much of my work is involved in strategy, which I personally love. I work with colleagues in Germany, the UK, Brussels, and the US daily and work across multiple teams. Switching gears, sometimes fully leading an account, other times providing a supportive lead role and other times offering strategic oversight. It really depends on what the account and team require.
What are some of the challenges you face in your day-to-day role?
Timesheets and navigating the odd drama!
Describe your working week using 3 emojis
No typical week so tough to do!
What’s been your most memorable moment at Edelman so far?
When the largest global account in the Edelman network came to me and indicated that they would like to offer us new non-competing business. I had been working with the client for just over 6 months and the new business offer was built on me having developed trust with the clients and securing results for their various lines of business.
What’s your favourite part of a working day?
Knowing I’m making a difference to patients and when I’m working on something that allows me to be my most creative self.
How do you stay motivated?
I listen to music, read the news everyday and listen to podcasts that inspire me or are interesting to our industry or adjacent. I also think allowing yourself time to daydream a little bit every day is important. It’s in those moments that sometimes the best ideas will start to naturally flow in.
What’s your top tip for working from home?
Top tip is that it is important to have a comfortable chair. Other helpful tips: have high-quality coffee on hand always, drink plenty of water throughout the day, work in a room with good lightening (hopefully natural for Vitamin D), and listen to music you enjoy when you need to be creative.
Did anything surprise you when you joined Edelman?
Having started my career in agencies I was very familiar with the culture, but the Amsterdam office feels different. I truly like how accessible and down to earth the GM is, which is not always the case (at least not in my experience), and how hard the organization works to create an inclusive environment. People are striving to make this an enjoyable place to work at while delivering great work, and simultaneously keeping it at 100% (being direct), which being a New Yorker I truly appreciate that (and am the same).
Finally, how do you see your career path developing in the future?
I guide my career path to a strong degree (hard work/results and letting people know my ambition and wants) but also leave enough space for chance and opportunity to carve out a direction that might lead to ways to further grow, even if it means challenging myself.
