Director, Healthcare Social & Influencer Strategy, DIG, Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn is one of the world’s largest independent global communications and integrated marketing agencies, recognized for bold ideas, strategic thinking, and a culture that continually pushes what’s next. The agency continues to earn recognition for its industry leadership, creativity, and growth, including being named Large Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRWeek U.S. Awards and one of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. 

Ruder Finn is seeking an experienced Director, Healthcare Social & Influencer Strategy to join our growing Digital Integration Group (DIG). In this role, you will develop social strategies and social-first content programs for healthcare and pharmaceutical clients. You will lead campaign content development, serve as a channel strategist, and oversee the day-to-day execution of strategic digital initiatives across a variety of client accounts. 

The ideal candidate brings a strong digital skillset, a sharp understanding of social platforms, and proven experience translating brand stories into compelling social content. This role requires someone who can think strategically, uplevel social content, ideate on social-first ideas, develop platform-native content recommendations, analyze performance, and partner closely with clients and cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact social programs. 

As a Director, you must have a comprehension of the regulatory landscape and be able to deliver branded and unbranded compliant content. You will partner directly with integrated internal health teams, clients, partners, and practice groups. This role offers meaningful opportunities for growth, allowing you to apply your creativity, strategic thinking, and social content expertise across key areas of the business. 

If you’re passionate about healthcare, energized by complex challenges, and excited to build campaigns that make an impact, this could be the perfect role for you. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop strategic social content plans and communications programs for healthcare and pharmaceutical brands, building content and channel recommendations driven by data 

• Serve as a channel strategist across social platforms, developing platform-specific recommendations that align content, audience behavior, campaign objectives, and best practices 

• Lead social strategy and content development, ensuring alignment with broader healthcare communications programs while identifying opportunities to uplevel storytelling across digital platforms 

• Guide the development of social-first content, including platform-native concepts, editorial calendars, campaign messaging, and content recommendations tailored to audience behavior and channel best practices 

• Partner with creative, paid media, analytics, and healthcare communications teams to uplevel social content and ensure cohesive execution across digital channels and platforms 

• Serve as a key client contact and social strategy expert, helping clients strengthen their understanding of social platforms, content trends, and digital best practices 

• Support the operational performance of accounts, ensuring high-quality deliverables, adherence to deadlines, and thoughtful budget management 

• Deliver superior client service by aligning social and digital objectives with senior management direction, providing clear updates on project timelines, and ensuring seamless coordination across internal teams and external stakeholders 

• Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering expertise in social strategy, content planning, platform trends, and integrated digital campaign execution 

• Review and analyze social and campaign performance to develop client-facing reports, identify actionable insights, and recommend optimizations that enhance content effectiveness, client reputation, and strategic impact 

• Partner with external vendors, when needed, to support digital reputation management, issues response, and high-impact crisis communications strategies 

Qualifications 

• A minimum of 6+ years of experience in social, digital, or content strategy, with experience in healthcare or pharmaceutical communications 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, advertising, public relations, marketing, or a related field preferred 

• Demonstrated experience upleveling social content through strategic storytelling, platform-native thinking, creative guidance, and performance insights 

• Strong experience as a social channel strategist, with the ability to develop platform-specific recommendations  

• Strong passion for social media, digital storytelling, and content marketing, with the curiosity to identify and apply emerging platform trends, formats, and best practices 

• Expertise in owned social strategy and social-first content development, as well as a foundational understanding of social insights and performance optimization 

• Strong understanding of how paid, organic, and owned channels work together within the broader brand social ecosystem 

• A firm understanding of the creative process, including experience partnering with creative and production teams to deliver high-impact social content for clients 

• Understanding of the regulatory and medical/legal review process as it applies to healthcare and pharmaceutical client needs 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-profile and high-budget programs in a fast-paced, consistently changing environment 

• Ability to multitask and operate with flexibility while meeting tight deadlines 

• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and coaching team members 

• Curiosity and comfort with integrating AI into communications and workflows 

• Experience supporting influencer or creator-led programs is a plus, but not required 

• Professional learning and development opportunities  

Benefits and More 

• You will receive a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity 

• You will also be able to enroll in our Health, Dental, Vision, company paid Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, as well as 401k (match) plan. 

• Monthly allowance for cell phone, office equipment, etc. 

• Generous PTO policy with paid maternity/paternity leave 

• Transit benefits 

• Professional learning and development opportunities 

• Workplace flexibility 

• On-site and off-site social gatherings 

The anticipated salary range for this position, at the time of posting, is $98,000 - $115,000. The salary of the applicant selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job-related qualifications. In addition, a range of medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available by the company.