NEW YORK — GCI Health has hired healthcare communications veteran Eleanor Petigrow to serve as the firm’s global chief growth officer.

In the newly created role, Petigrow is responsible for driving growth in new markets around the world, as well as expanding the agency’s offerings. She is charged with overseeing marketing and thought leadership, developing insights for leaders and clients, and ensuring the agency is set up for continued growth.

Petigrow reports to global CEO Kristin Cahill, who stepped into her role in November when Wendy Lund left GCI for an in-house role after a decade in charge.

Petigrow brings more than three decades of experience to the role. She spent the last five-plus years serving as Syneos Health Communications’ managing director of new business, while simultaneous coaching students and job seekers on communications. Earlier in her career, Petigrow held senior roles at Inventiv Health Communications, Chandler Chicco Agency and Burson-Marsteller.

“We are at an incredibly exciting point in our growth as an agency,” Cahill said. “In this newly created role, Eleanor will be a critical steward of GCI Health’s rapid, continued growth around the world.  We are thrilled to have her experience as a coach and mentor to our staff, ensuring we always stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing healthcare communications landscape.”

Hiring Petigrow is the latest in a series of recent moves GCI has made to promote global growth. Earlier this year, the agency expanded into Japan, India and Brussels.  In March, the firm appointed three regional directors to oversee operations in North America, Europe and the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.