Principal Consultant, Reputation Management

ERM • Walnut Creek, CA

1d • $118,926 - $131,623 • Hybrid

About The Position

Shape, protect, and elevate reputation where it matters most. As organizations face unprecedented scrutiny and accelerated risk driven by sustainability expectations, AI, and real-time media cycles, reputation has become both a strategic differentiator and a material business risk. The Principal Consultant, Reputation Management based in Walnut Creek, California plays a critical leadership role in helping global organizations anticipate challenges, respond with confidence, and protect long-term value. Embedded within ERM Marketing Communications Agency (ERM MCA)—the strategic communications arm of the world’s largest pure-play sustainability consultancy—this role sits at the intersection of sustainability, risk, media, and business strategy. You will help stand up and grow ERM MCA’s emerging Reputation Management offering while serving as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 clients navigating complex, high-stakes reputation landscapes. Why This Role Matters As scrutiny of corporate behavior intensifies and AI reshapes how information is surfaced, amplified, and trusted, reputation has emerged as a critical business asset—and risk. This role is central to helping clients manage that shift with credibility, confidence, and foresight. At the same time, you will play a pivotal role in building ERM MCA’s Reputation Management practice, expanding a highly strategic capability within a fast-growing global consultancy. What Your Impact Is Serve as the day-to-day senior lead for reputation, risk, and crisis communications programs for global clients Shape and deliver integrated, multi-channel PR strategies that protect and enhance corporate reputation Advise C-suite leaders during moments of heightened scrutiny, crisis, or transformation Build ERM MCA’s Reputation Management capability through thought leadership, business development, and team leadership Ensure communications strategies are credible, defensible, and grounded in operational and sustainability realities Help clients prepare for emerging risks through proactive issues management, simulations, and monitoring What You’ll Bring You bring a steady, solutions‑focused approach to complex and high‑pressure situations, paired with deep agency‑side experience in corporate sustainability PR, media relations, and risk and crisis communications. You are a confident client leader and trusted advisor, equally comfortable developing strategy and rolling up your sleeves to execute across earned, digital, and social channels. You thrive in fast‑paced environments, collaborate easily across disciplines, geographies, and time zones, and communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in communications, with at least half in an agency environment
• Proven experience designing and delivering integrated, multi‑channel sustainability PR programs across regions and sectors
• Hands‑on expertise in earned media, with established journalist relationships
• Experience advising C‑suite leaders on communication risk, reputation management, and crisis response
• Strong working knowledge of media monitoring and social listening tools such as Signal AI or Meltwater, and how to apply insights strategically
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior audiences
• Experience in a fast‑paced sustainability communications agency, ideally serving B2B clients in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or technology
• Strong project management skills, with a track record of managing multiple workstreams and delivering on time and on budget
• Proven ability to present confidently and effectively in both prepared presentations and live client discussions
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• Must be based in the Pacific Standard Time zone, preferably California
• Willingness to travel, including time onsite with clients

Nice To Haves

• Experience delivering crisis simulations and media training
• Line management or team leadership experience
• Experience working with Fortune 500 companies
• Strong understanding of sustainability issues, including packaging, policy, and reporting
• A collaborative, proactive working style and sense of humor

Responsibilities

• Client Leadership & Strategy Act as a core member of the Reputation Management team within the broader ERM MCA account structure
• Serve as day-to-day client lead, managing delivery of strategic communications programs with a focus on earned media, social media, and reputation and risk management
• Lead the development and execution of integrated PR campaigns across media, digital, and social channels
• Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for growth while ensuring client satisfaction and retention
• Anticipate client needs and recommend solutions related to messaging, media strategy, and crisis communications
• Lead development of issues management protocols, crisis playbooks, media training, and simulation exercises
• Present ideas and recommendations confidently and effectively in both formal presentations and live client discussions
• Partner closely with ERM’s technical and stakeholder engagement teams to align reputation strategy with real-world impacts
• Oversee junior-led media monitoring and social listening activities using tools such as Signal AI or Meltwater Business Development
• Contribute to identifying, scoping, and converting new business opportunities
• Support proposal development, budgeting, and project scoping
• Identify organic growth opportunities within existing accounts
• Support agency leadership in expanding services and market presence
• Media & Industry Expertise Maintain strong relationships with key journalists, influencers, and industry stakeholders
• Provide senior-level oversight on media strategy, storytelling, and thought leadership
• Demonstrate deep understanding of clients’ sectors, challenges, and opportunities
• Stay ahead of industry trends and integrate insights into client strategies
• Operational & Financial Oversight Manage account profitability, budgets, and forecasting
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to ERM MCA quality standards
• Build strong internal partnerships across Research & Insights, Creative, Digital, and Client Management teams
• Success Metrics Contribute to new business and organic growth, including personally identifying revenue opportunities
• Maintain 55% billability aligned with team growth targets
• Demonstrate measurable client reputation impact (e.g., sentiment, share of voice, issue containment)
• Achieve strong client satisfaction, retention, and 10% year-over-year account growth
• Attend at least one networking event per month and add one qualified prospect per quarter
• Contribute to at least two external marketing or growth initiatives annually
• Introduce personal network contacts as potential ERM clients where appropriate
• Complete ERM project management training within 12 months

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees