Account Director, Creative, Palladian Partners (Contingent)

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.

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
• APh.D. maybe 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:

$108,293 - $130,763.85 a year

In addition to base salary compensation, Altarum Enterprise employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive Medical, Dental and Optical plans
• Generous Paid Time Off, 8 Company observed holidays plus 3 floating holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• 401K Plan (3% employer contribution plus opportunity for gainsharing)
• Life, AD&D & Disability coverage
• A flexible work environment and more!

Altarum is an equal opportunity employer that provides employment and opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.