Associate, Crisis Communications

# Who We Are

Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers and content creators, and we engage people *in* the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and innovative ways to build brands and reputations.

# Associate, Crisis Communications

The Weber Shandwick New York office is seeking an Associate in New York to join its Global Crisis and Issues Practice. The Global Crisis and Issues team, part of the Weber Advisory group, helps leading organizations across the world both manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop the internal culture and infrastructure needed to predict, prepare, and navigate them effectively.

From conspiracy theories, environmental incidents, and multinational bankruptcies to executive controversies, sweeping product recalls, high-profile litigation, and fake news, we live at the front lines of media, culture, and conversation. Whether it is a program affecting internal stakeholders or an external effort to protect or defend an organization’s reputation, we work daily with colleagues from around the country and globe, supplying crisis counsel to clients across industries and sectors — making deep curiosity a requisite for this position.

# Candidate Qualities

As an Associate, you will have the unique opportunity to help drive communications around these challenging and exciting projects. You will be a day-to-day leader among the team’s Associate-level staff, working directly with senior leadership to help drive research, develop materials, staff projects, scope work, manage vendors, track budgets, and balance multiple shifting priorities in real time.

The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills and the ability to perform in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. You will be intimately familiar with current events and news trends and able to translate that knowledge into actionable insights for clients. This extends to social and digital communications: you must have true analytical fluency in this area. A strong academic record is necessary, and experience in issues management is a bonus — but candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

# Our Team

Our team is a group of smart, analytical, and hardworking people who care deeply about helping lead our clients through a crisis to make a positive impact on society. We are on the front lines of some of the biggest, most complex issues — and the nature of our work requires an ability and eagerness to juggle multiple responsibilities and work on multi-office client teams. You will have the opportunity to play a leading role in driving both ongoing client engagements and discrete projects.

# What You Will Be Doing

– Serves as a key team member supporting a range of complex, high-profile corporate issues/crisis communications situations (e.g., cybersecurity issues, product safety issues and recalls, natural disaster response, executive leadership changes, IPOs, etc.)
– Supports development of press releases, crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations, and other deliverables as needed
– Supports monitoring and triaging of client issues
– Conducts research on a wide range of issues; reviews and prepares executive summaries and analyses detailing clear and concise findings; distills complex and substantial information into concise summaries and insights; begins to propose strategic and actionable recommendations
– Provides input during development of projects based on insights and knowledge of client preferences
– Prepares for and takes part in client meetings, including accurately capturing notes, agenda action items, call recaps, and updating trackers, timelines, and status documents
– Serves as a role model to team members, producing high-quality work and continually updating managers on activity progress
– Actively builds knowledge, contributes to an inclusive team culture, and consistently displays behaviors that support integration
– Participates in the A‑Team’s On‑Duty rotational schedule covering evening and weekend hours to handle critical client reports, ad‑hoc research, and support emergent crises

# What We Are Looking For

– Strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail
– Strong understanding of social analytics
– Full analytical fluency in all social/digital platforms
– Crisis communications, issues management, and/or public affairs experience
– Sharp curiosity and an analytical mind
– Ability to provide strategic and actionable recommendations based on research
– Highly effective oral and written communication skills
– Familiarity with corporate financials
– Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage deadlines consistently
– Resourceful, effective problem solver
– Comfortable asking for help and providing direction to team members
– Ability to take ownership and manage projects from start to finish
– Proactive self-starter and quick learner
– Strong work ethic

# Basic Qualifications

– 1–2 years of professional experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political campaign or organization, law, or similar setting
– BA or BS, preferably in Political Science, History, Journalism, International Relations, or similar fields
– Knowledge of basic PR skills and client service
– Fluent in Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and proficient in research, media, and social monitoring platforms (Brandwatch, Sysomos, Cision, Muckrack, TV Eyes, Critical Mention, Lexis‑Nexis)

**Salary range:** $52,000 USD – $60,000 USD

Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or citizenship status.

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