A day in the life of a Learning & Development Account Manager

We caught up with Stephen Hare, one of our brilliant Learning & Development Account Managers to learn more about his role and help anyone considering a career at OPEN Health better understand this interesting and varied position.

Briefly describe a typical working day

My day is quite variable, but it often starts with checking emails. That is quite humdrum I know, but it can lead me down some interesting avenues. Perhaps a client needs help with an upcoming event, or maybe we have some feedback to check for a presentation. Who knows what the day will bring, but I like not knowing quite where it will end up. It goes without saying that I have my fair share of meetings, which include leading chats with clients and checking in with my team - it is always lovely to see their faces. Last but not least, I work on content development. It is not only the writers who develop our resources - in between helping to manage projects and drafting budgets, I edit podcasts, review training video scripts, and write eLearning questions, just to name a few things.

What aspect of your day/role do you enjoy most?

As cliché as this may be, I genuinely like talking to clients. I partner with some lovely people, and I get great satisfaction from hearing that our learning resources have been well received. Knowing that everyone is happy with our work is great for my morale. Furthermore, I have always thought that if just one patient benefits from our work somewhere in the world, then it is a job well done.

What challenges do you typically have to manage?

In some sense, we are always working against the clock. Everyone has deadlines, and while some are more set in stone than others, certain projects will require deliverables at a precise time. Sure, there is pressure in that, but it can always be countered by how well you plan. Many moons ago, I was a laboratory researcher, and if I took anything away from that part of my life, it is that efficiency is king. There is always a way around a problem; taking a step back and planning well can help to ensure a project runs smoothly.

What training and development opportunities are available to help you excel in your role at OPEN Health?

I have never been short of extra ways to top up my skills in the 2 years that I have worked at OPEN Health. What I like most about the training is the variety of courses on offer. I have taken courses on topics I never even realized you could be trained in, as well as all the topics you would expect, from understanding finance and formulas, all the way to learning how to make PowerPoint master templates (an invaluable skill) and how to be more creative in my role. These trainings have never felt like a burden and have always given me something to use moving forward.

How would you describe the culture of OPEN Health?

It’s amazing, and that really is an understatement. Perhaps more clichés here, but my favorite part of my job is the people I work with. Everyone I have encountered at OPEN Health is always willing to help and offer a guiding hand when needed. The attitude here is so positive, at every level. It’s hard to describe, but the culture here is different to anything else that I have ever experienced.

Do you have any advice for those considering a career in client services?

The single most useful thing I could say is that if you do not think an account handler role like this is for you, reconsider! I spent years studying for my degrees, including a PhD, and working in a laboratory - I never would have thought this job would be for me, but I really like it! I still use my scientific acumen and keep up to date with exciting developments in the pharmaceutical world, but at the same time, I have expanded my skillset and developed a whole new side to my career.

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