Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Adelphi Group•Washington, DC

42d•$205,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

FleishmanHillard is seeking a Senior Vice President for their Corporate Affairs practice in Washington, D.C., focusing on technology, defense, and national security industries. This role requires a senior communications leader to act as a trusted counselor to executives, manage complex client relationships, and guide organizations through the interconnected realms of business, technology, reputation, policy, and public opinion. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with technology and/or defense organizations, with a strong preference for experience spanning both sectors. Expertise in cybersecurity, national security, emerging technology, or other highly regulated and rapidly evolving industries is a considerable advantage. The individual should be adept at advising CEOs and senior communications executives, developing corporate reputation strategies, shaping complex narratives, engaging with top-tier media, and leading multidisciplinary agency teams. A key aspect of this role is understanding how companies in high-stakes environments build credibility with business, media, policy, and stakeholder audiences, while aligning communications with business objectives. The Senior Vice President will be instrumental in leading major client relationships, fostering talent development, contributing to new business initiatives, and leveraging expertise from across FleishmanHillard and the Omnicom network to address complex client challenges. FleishmanHillard emphasizes impact and inclusion, aiming to strengthen connections, grow its people, and create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Requirements

Ability to join us in a hybrid model of working in-person in the Washington, D.C. office weekly.
12+ years of communications, public relations, corporate affairs or related experience, with significant experience in an agency or other client-service environment strongly preferred.
Meaningful experience working with technology and/or defense organizations. Experience spanning both sectors is strongly preferred.
Experience in cybersecurity, national security, aerospace and defense, AI, emerging technology or other highly regulated technology sectors is a significant advantage.
Deep understanding of corporate reputation and the ability to counsel senior executives on complex business, communications and stakeholder challenges.
Demonstrated ability to lead large, sophisticated client relationships and build trust with C-suite executives and senior communications leaders.
Exceptional strategic thinking skills, with the ability to move from a complex business problem to a clear communications strategy and actionable program.
Strong media relations credentials, including experience developing relationships with and engaging top-tier business, technology, defense, national security and Washington media.
Excellent writing, editing, presentation and verbal communications skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical or business subjects without losing their substance.
Strong understanding of the Washington environment and how business, media, policy, reputation and stakeholder expectations intersect for companies operating in highly scrutinized sectors.
Experience developing corporate narratives, executive-positioning programs, thought leadership, issues-management strategies and integrated corporate communications campaigns.
Demonstrated success identifying organic growth opportunities, contributing to new business and expanding senior client relationships.
Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing account economics, scopes, staffing and profitability.
Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams and working effectively across practices, offices and agency partners.
Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, exercise sound judgment and remain calm and solutions-oriented in high-pressure situations.
A collaborative, curious and entrepreneurial leadership style, with an interest in emerging technologies and the changing communications environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience spanning both technology and defense sectors is strongly preferred.
Experience in cybersecurity, national security, aerospace and defense, AI, emerging technology or other highly regulated technology sectors is a significant advantage.
Significant experience in an agency or other client-service environment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior strategic counselor to C-suite executives, chief communications officers and other senior client leaders on corporate reputation, business strategy, positioning and communications.
Lead and grow significant client relationships across technology, defense and related sectors, developing a deep understanding of clients’ businesses, competitive environments, stakeholders and reputational priorities.
Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and introduce relevant capabilities from across FleishmanHillard and the broader Omnicom network.
Develop trusted, durable relationships with senior clients and serve as an escalation point and source of sound judgment during high-stakes or sensitive situations.
Lead and participate in new business efforts, including developing strategic approaches, shaping proposals and presenting in competitive pitches.
Contribute to the continued growth of FleishmanHillard’s technology, defense and national security-related portfolio in Washington and nationally.
Take responsibility for the financial health and profitability of client accounts, including forecasting, staffing, scope management and resource allocation in partnership with account leadership and Finance.
Lead the development of integrated corporate affairs and reputation strategies that connect communications activity directly to client business and reputation objectives.
Provide senior counsel across corporate positioning and narrative development, executive visibility, thought leadership, media relations, issues management, crisis preparedness and response, stakeholder communications and major corporate moments.
Translate complex technology, defense and business issues into clear, credible and compelling narratives for sophisticated external audiences.
Bring a strong point of view on the changing media environment and lead earned media strategies that generate meaningful visibility and advance client reputation.
Build and maintain relationships with influential national business, technology, defense, national security, trade and Washington media.
Personally engage with senior journalists and help clients and account teams identify the right stories, spokespeople and opportunities rather than relying solely on reactive media engagement.
Counsel senior executives on media engagement, speaking opportunities, thought leadership and other visibility strategies, including preparation for high-profile interviews and consequential external moments.
Understand the business, geopolitical, policy and regulatory dynamics affecting technology and defense companies and incorporate those considerations into corporate communications strategy.
Lead complex, integrated programs involving specialists across corporate reputation, public affairs, crisis and issues management, research and intelligence, digital and social, creative, executive communications and other capabilities.
Build effective teams across offices, practices, agencies and geographies, ensuring that clients experience one integrated team rather than a collection of separate capabilities.
Set high standards for strategic thinking, written work, client counsel and execution, and ensure that work consistently reflects both the client’s business objectives and FleishmanHillard’s standards.
Anticipate emerging client needs and reputational risks and proactively bring forward ideas, counsel and solutions.
Ensure measurement and intelligence inform strategy and that programs demonstrate meaningful communications, reputation and business impact.
Lead, mentor and develop multidisciplinary teams working across complex technology, defense and corporate affairs assignments.
Create an environment in which senior and emerging talent can provide strong counsel, challenge assumptions and contribute meaningfully to client strategy.
Provide clear direction on staffing, roles, priorities and expectations while giving teams appropriate ownership and opportunities for growth.
Identify and cultivate top talent and actively support career development, succession planning and retention.
Partner effectively with leaders across FleishmanHillard’s offices and practices to bring the strongest available talent to client assignments.
Model a collaborative leadership style that combines high standards, accountability, sound judgment and respect for colleagues and clients.