Account Director, Creative, Palladian Partners (Contingent)

Altarum · United States

We’re excited to share an upcoming opportunity pending a contract award and are connecting with qualified candidates in advance. Once we identify the right candidate, we anticipate extending a contingent offer, with employment dependent on final award confirmation and funding.

At Altarum, we’re driven by a simple but powerful mission: improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations underserved by the healthcare system. We partner with federal and state agencies to design and deliver solutions that make a real, measurable difference.

In this role, you’ll join Palladian Partners, Altarum Enterprise’s full-service marketing and communications team, collaborating with colleagues across disciplines to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions for our clients.

Account Directors manage complex work, projects, and teams, from the conceptual phase to execution and evaluation; have demonstrated specialized knowledge of their discipline (e.g., strategic communications, marketing, PR, digital strategy); design integrated solutions; ensure quality work product; and manage and develop talent. Client-facing directors manage key accounts with little supervision and coordinate up, down, and across teams and accounts to communicate daily with teams regarding client needs. Account Directors have a proven track record of developing and maintaining strong client relationships.

What You'll Do

Oversee and direct planning, research, content, and strategy development of complex efforts

Be a trusted advisor to clients and external partners who touch the client’s business, as well as with internal project teams

Take responsibility and accountability for larger projects, including the work and the process

Create momentum within the team to deliver high quality work and identify opportunities to drive growth

Think one step ahead, identifying potential opportunities and next steps needed, flagging risks, and coming up with solutions for how the team can fulfil or overcome them

Provide direction and feedback to junior team members in daily and ongoing responsibilities; mentoring them for growth within the team

Design and implement process improvement efforts in strategic and innovative ways

Prioritize and delegate assignments and requirements, as needed

Model and encourage company values

Influence decisions and drive change

Participate in the hiring and onboarding of new team members

Help drive the new business process including organic growth

What You'll Bring

Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, graphic design, or related field

8+ years of experience in communications and/or design roles; health focus preferred

Prior communications firm and/or government or government consulting experience preferred

Multimedia/video experience strongly preferred

Familiarity with federal accessibility standards for digital products is a must

A Ph.D. may be substituted for 3 years of required experience with a master’s degree or for 4 years with a bachelor’s degree

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Action-oriented, organized, proactive, and adaptable approach to complex account and team management and development

Demonstrated track record in building team and client relationships and delivering programs

Broad-based exposure to all skill areas, including discipline (e.g., strategic communications, marketing, PR, digital strategy), news business development, writing and presentations, media relations, and consultative selling

Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to customer service

Why Join Our Team?

Lead complex, integrated communications and creative work from concept through execution and evaluation, helping shape solutions that are strategic, engaging, accessible, and high quality.

Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams while managing key accounts, anticipating needs, identifying risks, and creating momentum across projects and workstreams.

Collaborate across disciplines including strategy, content, design, digital, multimedia, and video to deliver meaningful work that supports health-focused missions.

Grow as a people leader by mentoring junior team members, improving processes, influencing decisions, and contributing to new business and organic growth.

Where You'll Work

Remote with occasional in-person collaboration days

If you’re near one of our offices (Silver Spring, MD; or Novi, MI), you’ll join us in person one day every other month (6 times per year) for a fun, purpose-driven Collaboration Day. These days are filled with creative energy, meaningful connection, and team brainstorming!

Non-local employees will join these days virtually and may be asked to join us occasionally in-person.

Work Eligibility & Requirements

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.

All work must be performed within the continental U.S. for the duration of employment, unless required by contract.

Ability to work core hours aligned with Eastern Time, unless otherwise approved by your manager.

Remote employees must maintain a dedicated, ergonomically appropriate workspace free from distractions, with reliable internet and a mobile device that supports efficient work.

Federal Clearance & Badging

Because this role supports federal clients, you’ll need to complete a federal background investigation to determine your suitability for federal employment.

You may also be required to obtain an HHS Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Badge in addition to Palladian’s standard background process.

Learn more about the federal suitability and PIV process here: https://ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/applicants-employees/DPSAC-process-overview/adjudication-branch/Pages/suitability-criteria.aspx

Design pay context

Based on 663 disclosed Design salaries on RoleSuite, the role pays a median of $166K/year, with most offers between $124K and $198K (10th–90th percentile: $94K–$237K).

This posting lists $108K–$131K, below the $166K market median.

See the full Design salary breakdown →

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