Senior Vice President, Higher Education
About The Position
BerlinRosen, part of Orchestra, is seeking a Senior Vice President to join its growing Higher Education team. The role provides senior strategic communications counsel to colleges, universities, academic institutions and related organizations, helping them navigate reputational, policy and industry challenges and advance their goals. The team delivers integrated communications across paid, earned, social, content and crisis channels for leading institutions, including Ivy League schools, R1 research universities and flagship public university systems. The Senior Vice President will lead complex client programs and integrated campaigns, manage and mentor staff, oversee high-profile accounts and budgets, and contribute to new business development and client growth. The role is preferred to be based in New York City or Washington, DC, with a hybrid schedule of three days per week in the office. Candidates based in Boston or San Francisco will also be considered.
Requirements
- 11+ years of relevant strategic communications experience in PR agencies, higher education communications, public affairs, nonprofit, corporate communications or related environments.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience engaging with media on rapid-response and long-lead stories.
- Strong news sense, knowledge of media, and experience building and maintaining relationships with reporters covering major issues.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, work quickly, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and maintain close attention to detail.
- Experience motivating, leading and mentoring a diverse team to meet objectives.
- Strong business development skills, including growing client relationships, contributing to pitches and identifying new opportunities.
Nice To Haves
- PR agency experience is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated client management skills and strong business acumen.
- Passion for higher education and its role in society.
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.
- Directly 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 high-profile client accounts and 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
- Senior Vice Presidents are eligible for end-of-year bonuses 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
