Vice President

Vice President, Client Services

Calkin Public Affairs seeks a proven professional to lead client accounts and relationships with an executive presence. Work led by this Vice President will represent $1.5MM in firm revenue, overseeing 7–8 clients. They will ensure work is timely and high quality, establishing strong client relationships by thinking strategically, anticipating client needs, and identifying opportunities to expand engagement.

Working closely with the client and Chief Client Officer, the Vice President will develop and drive high-level strategic plans for each client, setting clear expectations around deliverables and outcomes. This role is responsible for leading internal teams, providing direction, and ensuring projects move forward efficiently and strategically. The VP will have core competencies in coalition building and media relations/engagement and will manage staff and contractors as needed.

Responsibilities

Operations – 75%

Project / Client Engagement

• Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact, ensuring clear communication, responsiveness, and strong, lasting client relationships.
• Drive high-level strategy and execution across client engagements, proactively advancing projects and identifying opportunities to add value.
• Oversee overall project management, including setting timelines, delegating tasks, managing budgets, and ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Lead coalition building and management: identify strategic targets, engage in relationship building, provide support materials and resources, and track progress.
• Oversee placed and earned media through junior staff.
• Engage in high-level earned media efforts with political and trade reporters and maintain relationships.
• Oversee media monitoring for relevant coverage and share with the client/team.
• Review and synthesize research in key subject areas.
• Oversee content production, including message development, talking points, collateral materials, legislative alerts, opposition/support letters, websites, and social media.
• Oversee digital media, including managing subconsultants, content development, and analytics tracking.
• Build relationships with and engage other consulting firms/partners.
• Manage and track subconsultant budgets and invoices.
• Ensure timely project status updates are sent to the client.

Business Development – 15%

• Help build and maintain the firm’s brand.
• Marketing and Sales
• Social media development.
• Content for marketing.
• Attend industry events on the firm’s behalf.
• Attend weekly lunches/coffees.
• Own renewals of client contracts.
• Ability to understand needs beyond the current contract and deliver.
• Client budgeting for projects.
• Write proposals and sections of proposals, including strategy, writing, design, graphics, and proofing.
• Develop scopes of work.
• Pitch deck development – copy, design, and implementation.
• Attend and participate in new business pitches, including internal strategy and prep sessions.
• Review research.

Internal – 10%

• Lead and manage staff, including providing direction, oversight, and performance feedback.
• Allocate staff resources effectively across projects to ensure efficiency and high-quality execution.
• Participate in staff meetings, events, and training.
• Support employee development and mentorship.
• Oversee billing and ensure accuracy.
• Ensure timely and accurate time tracking.
• Manage staff work allocation – who is executing which tactics and how long each task takes.

To apply, send your resume and a brief note to [email protected].