What is an Account Executive at IPG Health?

An Account Executive at IPG Health serves as the vital link between our clients—some of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical and healthcare companies—and our internal creative and strategic teams. In this role, you are not just a project manager; you are a brand champion and a strategic partner. You will be responsible for ensuring that complex medical data is translated into compelling, effective marketing campaigns that ultimately improve patient outcomes and support healthcare providers.

The impact of this position is significant. IPG Health operates at a massive scale, managing global brands that require high levels of regulatory precision and creative excellence. As an Account Executive, you will navigate the intricacies of healthcare advertising, managing timelines, budgets, and client expectations while fostering an environment where world-class creative work can thrive. You will contribute to products and campaigns that literally save lives by ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

Working here means joining a network that prizes "doing what's right for the brand." Your role is critical because you provide the stability and clarity needed to execute high-stakes projects in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. Whether you are working within FCB Health, McCann Health, or any of our specialized agencies, you will be at the forefront of the healthcare communications industry, driving strategic influence from day one.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you may face during your interviews. They are designed to test both your "competency" (what you've done) and your "chemistry" (how you fit with the team).

Behavioral & Competency

These questions aim to understand your past performance and how you handle professional challenges.

• "Tell me about a time you made a mistake on a project. How did you handle it and what did you learn?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. What was your approach?"
• "Give an example of a time you went 'above and beyond' for a client."
• "How do you prioritize your tasks when everything on your desk is a 'priority'?"

Problem-Solving & Tasks

These questions or tasks evaluate your practical ability to do the job of an Account Executive.

• "If a client asks for a project to be completed in half the usual time, how do you respond?"
• "How would you explain a complex creative concept to a client who is very data-driven?"
• Excel Task: "Organize this set of project hours and costs into a clear budget summary."
• Writing Task: "Draft a follow-up email to a client after a meeting where three new action items were identified."

Passion & Personality

These are used to see the person behind the resume and evaluate your communication style.

• "What is something you are passionate about, and can you explain it to me in five minutes?"
• "Why are you interested in healthcare advertising specifically?"
• "How do you stay organized and motivated during busy 'launch' periods?"

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at IPG Health requires a blend of professional polish, analytical readiness, and a genuine display of personality. We look for candidates who are not only capable of managing a project but who also bring a unique perspective and a high degree of "emotional intelligence" to the table.

Strategic Communication – This is the cornerstone of the Account Executive role. Interviewers will evaluate how clearly you can articulate complex ideas and how you handle difficult conversations. You can demonstrate strength here by using the STAR method to describe past experiences where you successfully managed client expectations or resolved internal team conflicts.

Analytical Rigor – Accuracy is non-negotiable in healthcare advertising. You will be tested on your ability to handle data and documentation through specific tasks. Demonstrate your proficiency by showcasing your attention to detail and your ability to use tools like Microsoft Excel to organize information and track project health.

Passion and Cultural Contribution – We value individuals who bring energy and a unique "spark" to the agency. This is often evaluated through non-traditional interview segments, such as presentations on personal passions. Show us that you are a well-rounded individual who can engage an audience and speak confidently about topics outside of work.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability – The agency environment is dynamic and often unpredictable. Interviewers look for your ability to "think on your feet" and remain calm under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you have navigated ambiguity or pivoted strategies when faced with unexpected project shifts.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at IPG Health is designed to be comprehensive yet conversational, ensuring a mutual fit between your working style and our agency culture. We place a high value on "competency-based" interviewing, which means we focus on your past behaviors as the best predictor of your future performance. You should expect a mix of standard interviews, personality-driven assessments, and practical tasks that mirror the actual work you will perform.

The journey typically begins with a screening phase to align on basic qualifications and interest. Following this, the process moves into more intensive rounds involving department leads and potential team members. We aim for a "smooth and easy" experience, but the rigor increases during the assessment phase, where your technical skills in writing and data management are put to the test. This ensures that every Account Executive we hire possesses the necessary foundation to succeed in a high-accuracy industry.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from the initial outreach to the final offer. Candidates should interpret this as a multi-layered evaluation where the early stages focus on "who you are" and the middle stages focus on "what you can do." Use this timeline to pace your preparation, ensuring you have your presentation materials and technical skills sharp by the time you reach the assessment and final rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Client Services & Relationship Management

This area is the heart of the Account Executive role. Interviewers want to see that you can build trust with clients and act as their advocate within the agency. You must demonstrate that you understand the client's business goals and can translate them into actionable briefs for the creative team.

Be ready to go over:

• Client Onboarding and Maintenance – How you build rapport and maintain long-term professional relationships.
• Conflict Resolution – Strategies for handling "scope creep" or disagreements regarding creative direction.
• Account Growth – Identifying opportunities to provide more value to the client beyond the initial project scope.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you had to deliver bad news to a client regarding a project deadline."
• "How do you handle a situation where the creative team and the client have fundamentally different visions?"

Analytical & Writing Proficiency

In the healthcare space, a typo isn't just a mistake; it can be a regulatory violation. We evaluate your ability to process information accurately and communicate it professionally. This often involves a formal assessment designed to test your "hard skills."

Be ready to go over:

• Excel for Project Management – Using spreadsheets to track budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Professional Writing – Crafting clear, concise emails and internal memos that drive action.
• Attention to Detail – Spotting errors in complex documents or project plans.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "You will be given an Excel task to organize a project budget and a writing task to draft a client-facing status update based on that data."
• "How do you ensure 100% accuracy when managing multiple versions of a medical legal review document?"

Presentation & Storytelling

We believe that every Account Executive should be a compelling storyteller. This is often tested through a "passion presentation" where you are asked to speak for five minutes on a topic you care about. This evaluates your public speaking skills, your ability to structure a narrative, and your authentic personality.

Be ready to go over:

• Public Speaking – Maintaining eye contact, managing pace, and handling Q&A.
• Narrative Structure – How you hook an audience and deliver a clear message in a short timeframe.
• Engagement – Your ability to make a "dry" or niche topic interesting to a general audience.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Managing "difficult" rooms during a pitch.
• Using visual aids effectively without over-relying on slides.

Key Responsibilities

The day-to-day life of an Account Executive at IPG Health is fast-paced and multifaceted. You are the primary point of contact for the client, which means your morning might start with a status call to review active projects and your afternoon might be spent in "internal" meetings with creative and medical teams. You are responsible for the "health" of the account, ensuring that every deliverable is on time, on budget, and on strategy.

Collaboration is central to this role. You will work closely with Project Managers to track timelines, Creative Directors to ensure the work meets the brief, and Medical Writers to ensure scientific accuracy. You act as the "filter" for the agency, protecting the creative process while ensuring the client's needs are met. You will also manage the administrative side of the account, including billing, project openings, and financial tracking.

Typical projects include the development of digital sales aids, print materials for medical conferences, and large-scale consumer awareness campaigns. You will drive these initiatives from the initial "kick-off" meeting through to the final "submission" to regulatory bodies. Your success is measured by the quality of the client relationship and the seamless execution of these complex workstreams.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Account Executive position, you should demonstrate a mix of academic achievement and practical agency experience. We look for candidates who are organized, proactive, and deeply curious about the healthcare industry.

• Technical skills – Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Excel and PowerPoint) is essential. Familiarity with project management software (like Workfront or Jira) is a significant plus.
• Experience level – Typically, 1–3 years of experience in an advertising agency or marketing role is required. For Senior Account Manager roles, we look for 4–6 years of experience with a proven track record of managing larger budgets and teams.
• Soft skills – Exceptional verbal and written communication, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to multitask in a high-pressure environment.

Must-have skills:

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• A foundational understanding of the "agency model" and how different departments interact.
• The ability to write clear, professional, and persuasive communications.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Prior experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or "high-reg" (highly regulated) industries.
• Experience with the Medical Legal Regulatory (MLR) review process.
• A degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related Life Sciences field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult are the interviews for the Account Executive role? A: Candidates generally rate the difficulty as "average," though the assessment phase (Excel and writing tasks) can be challenging if you are not prepared. The focus is more on your communication style and attention to detail than on "trick" questions.

Q: What is the most important thing to demonstrate during the interview? A: Reliability and "coachability." We want to know that when we give you a task, it will be done accurately, and that you are eager to learn the complexities of the healthcare industry.

Q: How long does the hiring process typically take? A: The process can vary, but it often takes between 4 to 8 weeks from the initial screen to an offer. This allows for multiple rounds of interviews and the completion of necessary assessments.

Q: Is pharmaceutical knowledge required before I apply? A: While it is a "nice-to-have," it is not always a "must-have" for the Account Executive level. We value agency experience and a strong work ethic; we can teach you the specifics of the pharma industry if you have the right foundational skills.

Other General Tips

• Research our Agencies: IPG Health is a network. Know whether you are interviewing for McCann Health, FCB Health, or another specific agency, and look up their recent award-winning work.
• Master the "Passion Presentation": If asked to present on a passion, choose something you actually care about. Your enthusiasm is what the interviewers are actually grading, not the topic itself.
• Be "Detail-Obsessed": During your Excel and writing tasks, double-check every number and comma. In our industry, the "little things" are the "big things."
• Show Your "Agency Grit": Agency life can be demanding. Demonstrate that you have the resilience and the positive attitude needed to thrive during busy cycles.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming an Account Executive at IPG Health is an opportunity to build a career at the intersection of science and creativity. It is a role that requires a unique combination of analytical precision, strategic thinking, and interpersonal warmth. By preparing for the competency-based questions and sharpening your technical skills for the assessment phase, you will position yourself as a high-value candidate ready to contribute to our mission of "obsessively pursuing the next" in healthcare communications.

Focused preparation is your greatest tool. Review your past experiences through the lens of client service, practice your 5-minute presentation until it feels natural, and ensure your Excel skills are sharp. We are looking for the next generation of leaders who will drive our agencies forward, and we look forward to seeing what you bring to the team. You can explore additional interview insights and resources on Dataford to further refine your approach.

The salary data provided reflects the range for both Account Executive and Senior Account Manager positions within the New York market. When interpreting these figures, consider your years of experience and the specific complexity of the accounts you will be managing. IPG Health offers competitive compensation packages that reflect the high level of expertise and dedication required to succeed in the healthcare agency space.