What We Need

In the current environment, companies have a business imperative to advance and defend their reputations through communications programs and campaigns that articulate their purpose, mitigate risk and drive results. WE Communications’ Corporate Reputation + Brand Purpose team puts purpose at the center of strategic communications, making it the lens and guide for all stakeholder communications, from the executive voice to employee engagement, to public affairs and crisis and issues management. With purpose as a through-line, we help our clients build resilient and authentic reputations and maintain a long-term license to thrive.

WE is looking for a Senior Vice President, Corporate Reputation + Brand Purpose, to lead our US crisis and issues management offering, providing strategic counsel and strategy to existing and prospective clients across our core sectors of consumer, healthcare, and technology. This role will be responsible for leading a team focused on crisis preparedness, live issue response and understanding the broader policy and issues landscape, providing clients with the counsel, tools and resources needed to respond effectively and protect their reputation.

Importantly, you’d serve as a key member of the Corporate Reputation + Brand Purpose leadership team, leading the charge in activating on a range of corporate reputation, issues management and public affairs opportunities with clients, helping to define our unique value proposition, deepening our relevant experience and strengthening and expanding our team as we grow.

What you’ll be doing

The Senior Vice President position can be based in any WE market, but there is a preference for candidates based in Washington, DC, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Austin or Portland.

• Serve as a senior leader on the Corporate Reputation + Brand Purpose team, shaping efforts and strategies that drive value for clients and deliver on new business and organic growth opportunities for WE
• Guide the development of new offerings and capabilities in furtherance of building and measuring corporate reputation, with a focus on crisis, issues and policy
• Lead real-time issues management and cross-functional communications responses to issues to protect and build client reputation
• Counsel on the development of proactive crisis preparedness and response protocols and strategies for clients and inform ongoing execution and measurement
• Conduct corporate reputation and issues management capability-building initiatives and trainings to upskill team members and drive WE fluency around our expertise
• Build and expand connections with media relevant to WE clients
• Manage and oversee performance of Corporate Reputation + Brand Purpose team members, supporting corporate reputation and issues management clients
• Create an inclusive environment, lead and manage people with a human touch and in a way that brings people together creating a great place to work that inspires and motivates everyone
• Exceptional organizational and leadership skills
• Self-motivated and able to adapt quickly to changing client priorities and tight deadlines
• Possess exceptional communications skills
• Client and business environment, customer service orientation is a must. Job pressure may exist
• Experience working globally and with colleagues in multiple locations
• Strong presentation and consulting skills along with the ability to read, write and speak English

What you’ve been able to accomplish

• 10-12 years of strategic communications experience (agency experience preferred) with a proven track record in reputation management, crisis communications and issues management
• While not required, experience with public affairs and an understanding of the evolving US political and legislative/regulatory landscape is a plus
• Experience leading the development of communications strategy and content, and overseeing related activities and strategy execution, on behalf of a client or company working to enhance corporate reputation, navigate issues management and mitigate the impact of crises
• Experience serving as counsel to senior executives in a client or corporate communications setting, including in a crisis and/or litigation context
• Experience with financial communications, including in an investor relations and significant transaction (e.g. M&A) context, is a plus
• Comfort and confidence in working calmly in high-pressure, high-leverage situations
• Ability to direct/lead teams in a fast-paced, demanding environment
• Ability to spot trends, monitor for emerging or active issues and “see around corners” to predict what might happen next
• Curiosity about what constitutes and drives news, social media engagement and broader public interest
• Sensitivity to issues that affect clients’ reputations and brands
• Understanding and grasp of current events and national conversation around emerging socio-political issues
• Experience mentoring and growing more junior professionals, including direct reports
• Familiarity with a broad suite of social media and monitoring tools, including Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and others
• Demonstrated understanding of how content travels on social media, how people increase the profile and impact of their social media posts, and how certain types of content achieve “viral” status
• Proven ability to write simply, clearly and cohesively
• Ability to work effectively with people at all levels and skill sets

About Us

WE Communications:

WE is one of the largest communications and integrated marketing agencies in the world. We’re independent, we’re all about our people — both our clients and our employees — and we believe in the power of communications to move audiences to positive action.

For more than 30 years, we have been helping translate complex innovations into powerful, persuasive stories. Our sector expertise across key verticals — including technology, healthcare, consumer, and brand purpose — translates into insights and strategies that are informed, current and credible.

We work with companies that are embracing the ever-evolving digital world to reinvent themselves, to deliver new value to their customers or reach them in new ways and ultimately improve people’s lives.

Your Salary:

The target range of base salary in all locations within the United States for this role is $192,000 – $230,000 per year. Actual salary is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to business needs, level of responsibility, skill set, level of experience, and geographical location.

WE Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous time off including PTO, holidays, annual wellness break, summer Fridays and personal days
• 401k plan including company match and financial wellness support
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees
• 22-24 weeks paid parental leave when coupled with Short-term disability
• 2 weeks caregiver leave
• Support with home office equipment
• Bi-annual Wellness Credits
• Monthly Technology Credit (to offset internet / phone costs)
• Community Engagement Days
• Learning and Development Programs for our employees

Equal Opportunity: WE provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or other legally protected class status.

Diversity and Inclusion: WE values a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone thrives. We promote an atmosphere in which diversity of people and ideas are welcomed and valued. Diversity includes differences in race, religion, gender identity or expression, age, lifestyle, ethnic background and sexual orientation as well as differences in experiences and ideas.

Return to office: Beginning September 2023, North America employees will be asked to come into the office on Tuesdays only.

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