Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Agency:

FleishmanHillard

Job Function:

Consulting

Job Subfunction:

Business and Change Consulting

Job Description:

FleishmanHillard has an immediate opening for a Senior Vice President to join our Corporate Affairs practice in Washington, D.C., with a focus on technology, defense and national security-related industries.

We are looking for a senior communications leader who can serve as a trusted counselor to executives, lead complex client relationships and help organizations navigate the increasingly interconnected worlds of business, technology, reputation, policy and public opinion.

The ideal candidate brings meaningful experience working with technology and/or defense organizations, with experience spanning both sectors strongly preferred. Experience in cybersecurity, national security, emerging technology or other highly regulated and rapidly evolving industries would be a significant advantage.

This individual should be equally comfortable advising a CEO or senior communications executive, developing a corporate reputation strategy, shaping a complex narrative, engaging directly with top-tier media and leading a multidisciplinary agency team. They will understand how companies operating in Washington and other high-stakes environments build credibility with business, media, policy and stakeholder audiences while keeping communications grounded in business objectives.

The Senior Vice President will play an important leadership role within FleishmanHillard’s Corporate Affairs practice, leading major client relationships, developing talent, contributing to new business and bringing together expertise from across FleishmanHillard and the broader Omnicom network to solve complex client challenges.

FleishmanHillard values the importance of impact and inclusion to strengthen the bonds between us, grow our people and create spaces for everyone to thrive. We stay true to our commitment to our people and the communities in which we live and work. As part of our ongoing effort to be the world’s most inclusive agency, we are committed to seeking candidates who possess and demonstrate a profound interest in furthering our impact and inclusion goals.

Responsibilities: Business Development and Client Management

• 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.

Account and Program Oversight

• 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.

Talent Development

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Our Story FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named 2020, 2021 and 2022 Campaign Global PR Agency of the Year; 2023 ICCO Large Agency of the Year – The Americas; 2022 and 2023 PRWeek U.S. Agency of the Year; 2022 and 2023 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Extra-Large Agency of the Year; 2023 Campaign US PR Agency of the Year; 2021 PRovoke APAC Consultancy of the Year; and 2021 PRWeek UK Large Consultancy of the Year. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom PR Group and has nearly 80 offices in more than 30 countries, plus affiliates in 45 countries. FleishmanHillard offers a hybrid work model, and seeks employees who are comfortable working in the office for a portion of their workweek. We value the collaboration and camaraderie that in-person interactions provide, but also understand the importance of flexibility and balance in our employees' lives. As such, we are open to discuss various work arrangements that accommodate individual needs and circumstances, including flexible scheduling and alternative work arrangements. Our goal is to foster a productive and inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive, both in and out of the office.   FleishmanHillard is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, alienage, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state or local laws. Please do not contact the office directly to apply – only resumes submitted through this website will be considered. If you need assistance reviewing career opportunities or completing an application, please email our careers team or call 314-982-1700 and ask to be connected to Talent Development. 

The anticipated salary range for the Senior Vice President level is $205,000- $220,000. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications and geography. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off and/or other benefits also are available.  

Omnicom’s policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager. Our objective is to increase this requirement over time, and many of our agencies as well as Omnicom’s corporate group already require five days of in-office attendance.

Omnicom is committed to hiring and developing exceptional talent. We agree that talent is uniquely distributed, and we’re focused on developing inclusive teams that can bring the best solutions to everything we do. We strongly believe that celebrating what makes us different makes us better together. Join us—we look forward to getting to know you. We will process your personal data in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

Link to Recruitment Privacy Notice: https://www.omc.com/privacy-notice

For US Job Seekers:

It is the policy of Omnicom and any of its affiliates to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. EOE/AA/M/D/V/F.