Senior Vice President, Higher Education
About The Position
BerlinRosen, part of Orchestra, is a strategic communications and marketing company. The Higher Education team advises colleges, universities, and academic institutions on communications challenges through integrated paid, earned, social, content, and crisis communications work. It partners with leading institutions, including Ivy League schools, elite R1 research universities, and flagship public university systems, to elevate their voices, protect reputations, and engage key audiences. The Senior Vice President is a senior leader and trusted client advisor who leads complex communications programs and counsels senior stakeholders. The role oversees high-profile accounts, teams, budgets, and new business opportunities, and supports institutions in advancing their goals and initiatives. The preferred locations are the New York City or Washington, DC offices, with a hybrid schedule of three days per week in office. Candidates based in the Boston or San Francisco offices will also be considered.
Requirements
- 11+ years of relevant strategic communications experience.
- Experience in PR agencies, higher education communications, public affairs, nonprofit, corporate communications, or related environments.
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- Experience engaging media on rapid-response and long-lead stories.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, work quickly, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and pay close attention to detail.
- Experience 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.
- Strong news sense, knowledge of the media, and experience engaging and maintaining relationships with key reporters covering current issues.
Nice To Haves
- PR agency experience is strongly preferred, including demonstrated client management skills and strong business acumen.
- A passion for higher education and its role in society.
- Experience managing large, high-profile accounts and navigating complex client environments.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior strategic counselor to clients, providing executive-level communications guidance on complex reputational, policy, and industry challenges.
- Lead the development and execution of integrated communications campaigns using public affairs, earned media, social, and digital tactics.
- Manage and mentor staff, providing strategic direction and feedback on their development and client work.
- Draft high-level materials, including strategy decks, communications plans, messaging, and op-eds.
- Collaborate with the management team to develop and inspire strategists to be innovative and creative.
- Contribute to new business development by identifying opportunities, developing proposals, participating in pitches, and supporting client growth conversations.
- Manage large, high-profile accounts and complex client environments, including budgets.
- Engage with media on rapid-response and long-lead stories and maintain relationships with key reporters.
- Manage, prepare, and staff high-touch principals or organizational leaders.
Benefits
- End-of-year bonuses for Senior Vice Presidents based on firm, team, and individual performance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
