Public Affairs Vice President

Public Affairs Vice President

About the Firm

Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc. (Cornerstone) is a bipartisan, employee-owned firm specializing in federal and state government relations, public affairs and strategic communications, political action committees, grant consulting and advisory services. With more than 200 professionals across 15 states and D.C., our firm stands as one of the industry’s most effective and respected professional services firms. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients effectively tell their story. We are a group of senior professionals with diverse experience in public relations, business, media and government. We help our clients anticipate and navigate the complexities that occur at the intersection of policy, politics, and public perception to achieve their desired objectives.

Recognizing the ability to better serve our clients, the firm established a public affairs and strategic communications practice in April 2017 to integrate with the existing government relations and regulatory strategy services. Now with a presence in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Concord, Des Moines, Houston, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC, we give clients a complete offering that fosters collaboration and increases the resources available to achieve success.

We specialize in developing and implementing public affairs strategies that:

• Complement government affairs initiatives
• Amplify communications efforts with local audiences
• Garner national media attention
• Advance an organization’s public policy goals
• Train leaders for press engagement
• Organize and execute public events

We provide bespoke counsel, develop and implement thoughtful communications strategies, advise on messaging and reputation management, overcome crises, and assist in building long-term engagement plans.

Position Overview

Summary / Objective

Cornerstone seeks a full-time Vice President to join our Public Affairs team to provide strategic advice and counsel to the firm’s clients, work collaboratively with team members to grow the business through the acquisition of new clients, and provide support to senior team members.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Excelling with client engagement and overall client service as a leader of the strategic communications and public affairs business unit
• Assuming additional leadership roles with clients by leading or co-leading multiple clients and participating as a core team member for clients
• Building and managing media relationships, including proactively pitching stories and responding to inbound inquiries
• Demonstrating leadership in business development and marketing activities
• Engaging with other aspects of the business and increased leadership roles across the firm
• Growing and fostering a network of relationships important to client servicing and business growth, including establishing relationships with current and prospective clients, referral sources, and reporters
• Supporting new business opportunities and working to strengthen and expand existing client relationships
• Anticipating account needs and ensuring activities are completed on time
• Effectively managing people at all levels—managing up and down, guiding junior team members, and keeping senior team members informed
• Ensuring principals are prepared for meetings and calls, reminding them of deadlines and updates
• Developing materials and managing the review process
• Delivering initial draft work that is as close to client-ready as possible

Qualifications

Competencies

The ideal candidate for this position is a skilled multi-tasker who is reliable and committed to consistently meeting deadlines. Key qualities include:

• Proactiveness: Works independently in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility: Able to work early mornings and evenings
• Dependability: Arrives on time, follows instructions, pays attention to detail, responds promptly, and seeks feedback
• Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and able to manage changing environments and relationships
• Time Management: Manages competing priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Teamwork: Approachable and cooperative with colleagues

Key Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor’s degree
• A background in communications, journalism, or public relations
• A strong interest in public affairs, media, and writing
• 5–7 years of relevant work experience
• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel), Microsoft Teams, and Adobe Acrobat

Benefits

Base salary for this position is based on experience and education and ranges from $120,000 to $160,000. Employees are eligible for annual performance-based bonuses and full coverage of medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance premiums. Additional benefits include:

• 401(k) employer match
• Shares in the firm’s employee stock ownership plan (upon entry)
• Paid time off
• Fringe benefits such as parking and cell phone coverage

Learn more here