What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Strategic Planning position at Purohit Navigation?
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
JOB SUMMARY
The Vice President of Strategic Planning leads the Strategy team to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions that drive client brand objectives and growth. This senior leadership role serves as a trusted advisor to client executives, shaping brand direction, uncovering growth opportunities, and translating complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. The VP mentors and elevates the Strategy team, strengthens cross-functional collaboration, and plays a key role in organic growth and new business development.
The VP upholds Purohit Navigation’s (PNAV) core values by consistently going beyond expectations to deliver impactful work, while modeling accountability, sound decision-making, and smart stewardship of resources.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Own client strategic needs; maintain expertise in brand positioning, market dynamics, competitive landscape, and therapeutic insights
- Shape the strategic direction of the team while continuously raising standards for execution and outcomes
- Operate as both a strategic leader and contributor, comfortable shifting between big-picture thinking and tactical execution
- Define quality standards and strategic rigor across deliverables
- Develop multi-year strategic roadmap and lead annual practice planning
- Balance efficiency with innovation: maximize repeatable frameworks while confidently developing customized solutions for unique challenges
- Embrace new project types lacking historical precedent, pioneer innovative approaches
- Navigate sensitive projects with confidence and professionalism
Client Partnership
- Serve as senior strategic contact to client C-suite; maintain trusted advisor status
- Anticipate market opportunities and competitive challenges; deliver innovative recommendations
- Adapt communication style with clients to build rapport and influence outcomes
- Maintain resilience and professionalism regardless of feedback; take ownership without taking criticism personally
Business Development
- Drive organic growth and manage revenue potential across the practice
- Support new business pitch development and presentations
- Confidently pursue emerging service opportunities without established playbooks
Team Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to Strategy staff; develop high-potential strategists
- Foster collaborative, high-performance culture of excellence and innovation
- Manage diverse personalities effectively; adjust leadership style to individual needs
- Lead through direct authority, referent power, or persuasive influence as appropriate
- Address difficult conversations and performance issues directly and constructively
Financial & Operational Excellence
- Manage account finances, budgets, and profitable utilization of Strategy resources
- Establish strategic planning methodologies and quality assurance protocols
- Build reusable frameworks while maintaining flexibility for customization
- Evaluate and implement innovative solutions—including AI, automation, and analytics—to continuously improve strategic operations
- Drive continuous improvement through initiative reviews and post-campaign analysis
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance
- Partner with Creative, Digital, and Project Management teams
- Adapt collaboration style across functional areas; facilitate consensus across diverse perspectives
- Maintain current knowledge of FDA, OPDP and pharmaceutical regulatory guidelines
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 10-15 years strategic leadership or consulting experience in pharmaceutical marketing, advertising agency, or brand management
- Proven success developing strategic and executing marketing plans for pharmaceutical/healthcare brands
- Serve as the visible champion and primary spokesperson for PNAV strategy, both internally and externally
- Demonstrated success in organic growth, new business development, and senior client relationship management
- Entrepreneurial mindset: thrives in situations requiring innovation, not just execution
- Experience creating innovative solutions for unprecedented challenges; comfort with ambiguity
- History building/scaling marketing consulting practices and/or teams
- Management experience leading high-performing strategy teams
- Proven ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with clients and staff
- Strong facilitation, persuasion, and consensus-building capabilities
- Demonstrated success mentoring and developing talent
- Willingness to travel for client meetings and business development as needed (20-30%)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant graduate degree
- Multi-therapeutic area experience
- Demonstrate and maintain a genuine interest in understanding clinical science and translating it to evidence-based approaches
- Published thought leadership in pharmaceutical marketing
As Navigators, we’re committed to a high level of quality and innovation. We share these core values:
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Passion for work at all levels
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High-quality work that is strategically grounded
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Superior level of client service
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Culture of trust, empowerment, and commitment
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Collaborative and team-oriented spirit (no ego)
Purohit Navigation offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical insurance, a 401(k) plan, company-paid employee dental and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance coverage.
And, as a woman- and minority-owned firm, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. In fact, we are the first recipient of the MM&M "Diversity and Inclusion Champion" award for “the best commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Purohit Navigation (www.purohitnavigation.com) is a unique full-service healthcare strategy and marketing firm. For nearly 35 years, the firm has combined groundbreaking insights with strong creative expertise to achieve behavioral change. Current and former clients include companies in the pharmaceutical (including genetic and rare diseases), diagnostic (molecular and plated media), medical device, hospital product, and disease awareness areas, giving Purohit Navigation extensive experience with more than 200 brands in 60 therapeutic areas.