Senior Vice President, Higher Education

Orchestra•Washington, NY

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

BerlinRosen is part of Orchestra, a strategic communications and marketing company. The Higher Education team at BerlinRosen specializes in guiding colleges, universities, and academic institutions through complex communications landscapes, utilizing paid, earned, social, content, and crisis communications to deliver integrated, cross-channel strategies. They partner with leading institutions to elevate their voices, protect reputations, and engage key audiences. This role is for an experienced strategic communicator to join the Higher Education team as a senior leader, serving as a trusted advisor to clients, leading complex communications programs, and providing strategic counsel to senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience managing large, high-profile accounts, navigating complex client environments, leading teams, managing budgets, and driving new business opportunities. The role is preferred to be based in New York City, NY or Washington, DC offices, with a hybrid schedule of three days per week in office. Candidates in Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA will also be considered.

Requirements

11+ years of relevant strategic communications experience, including experience in PR agencies, higher education communications, public affairs, nonprofit, corporate communications, or related environments.
PR agency experience strongly preferred, including demonstrated client management skills and strong business acumen.
Is an avid consumer of news, with a strong news sense and knowledge of the media and experience engaging and maintaining strong relationships with key reporters covering the top issues of the day.
Experience engaging with media for both rapid response and long-lead stories.
Strong written and oral communications skills.
Experience managing, prepping and staffing high-touch principals or organizational leaders.
Ability to multi-task easily, including handling multiple assignments at once, working quickly and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment while paying close attention to details.
Enjoys managing people and has experience in successfully motivating, leading and mentoring a diverse team to meet objectives.
Strong business development skills, including experience growing client relationships, contributing to pitches and identifying new opportunities.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior strategic counselor to clients, providing executive-level communications guidance and helping institutions navigate complex reputational, policy and industry challenges.
Lead the development and execution of integrated communications campaigns that leverage public affairs, earned media, social and digital tactics to reach key audiences and achieve client goals.
Directly manage and mentor staff and provide overall strategic direction and feedback for their development and client work.
Hold the pen on drafting high level materials including strategy decks, communications plans, messaging and op-eds.
Collaborate closely with the management team to develop and inspire our team of strategists to be innovative and creative.
Serve as a key voice in new business development efforts, including identifying opportunities, developing proposals and participating in pitches and client growth conversations.