Vice President of Communications

Position AnnouncementVice President, West End Strategy TeamWashington, D.C.Firm OverviewWest End Strategy Team is a premier, full-service strategic communications firm focused on expanding social justice, racial and gender equity, and human rights. We partner with clients to drive meaningful change through strategic communications, including earned media strategy, messaging, digital strategy, and crisis communications.Through our work with clients, we’re promoting human and civil rights. We’re advocating for reproductive rights. We’re fighting against attacks on our democracy at home and around the world. We’re opposing book bans that threaten the right to education in communities across the country, and we’re pushing back against unconstitutional restrictions on voting access. We’re working on the cutting-edge issues of the moment as we partner with leading organizations working to make our world a better place.We work closely with clients to define their goals, identify key audiences, and develop and implement customized communications strategies to achieve success. We manage media relations, lead trainings, develop messaging and content, mitigate risks and respond to crises, conceptualize and execute newsworthy events, and leverage media placements to reach key audiences.We are a team of more than 20 passionate, engaged, talented colleagues, who are committed to creating social change. Every day we drive meaningful change through our strategic communications work.Position OverviewWest End Strategy Team (WEST) is seeking a strategic communicator, experienced manager and entrepreneurial professional to serve as Vice President.The Vice President will oversee client relationships and work, manage a team to deliver exceptional results for clients, directly manage client work, and bring new clients to the firm.The Vice President will be a fantastic team manager, investing in the growth and development of a team of four or five talented communicators. The Vice President will foster a culture of accountability to the clients and the firm, while ensuring their team has the support and training needed to succeed.The Vice President will also lead client work and ensure best-in-class client services, including building and executing communications strategies, providing media and message training, and engaging in thought partnership, all toward the goal of reaching key audiences and driving meaningful and lasting change in partnership with clients.The ideal candidate will bring a robust professional network, with all candidates able and excited to contribute to business development initiatives for WEST. The Vice President will develop relationships, identify and cultivate new clients, and work strategically to meet business development goals in service of growing the firm and deepening our impact. The VP is also a proven leader in strategic and client communications who thrives in a fast-paced environment supporting mission-driven organizations. The VP will be a strong people manager with experience in client services and new business development. They will share the WEST values of collaboration and commitment to excellence.Roles and ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership (40%)Supervise a team of four or five staff who are executing client-facing workDevelop and mentor new and existing staff in alignment with the overall vision and culture of WESTManage their team’s onboarding and training, ensuring their team has the skills and resources to successfully deliver results for clientsDefine, create, drive and be held accountable for their team’s client engagement processesCollaborate with fellow senior team members, sharing ideas for client problem solving and team management strategiesEnsure accountability amongst the team in setting and meeting benchmarks and deadlinesLead and mentor in the values of WEST and our clients, with an eye towards growth, sustainability, and retentionPromote and integrate equity, belonging, and inclusivity principles within the team, ensuring an equitable and inclusive work environmentClient Engagement and Management (40%)Responsible for overseeing all client work in their team’s portfolio, and serve as direct client lead with two or three clientsDevelop and implement client engagement and retention strategiesLead assessments for client needs and build plans for delivering top-notch client servicesProvide thought leadership to clients and develop strategies that position clients to meet goalsConceptualize and develop written materials, including strategy memos and plans, pitches, press materials, talking points, briefing materials, and opinion piecesExecute direct media engagement, including pitching and building relationships with press contactsMonitor media and social media for coverage of client news and related developmentsNew Business Development and Marketing (20%)Meet quarterly business development goalsBuild and expand personal networks to help identify and cultivate new clientsParticipate in external networking events and opportunities to expand the reach of the firmBring ideas for expanding service offerings to current clientsCollaborate with the firm’s partner who leads business development on strategies and plans for engaging new clientsKey Competencies and QualificationsMinimum 8 to 10 years of professional experience in strategic communications, including experience pitching and placingSuperb interpersonal skills, along with excellent written and verbal communication skillsExperience in effectively managing, supporting, and coaching a diverse team, fostering an inclusive environment, and promoting growth and developmentTrack record of managing high-performing teams to deliver resultsExperience building and executing communications plans on behalf of clientsExcellent relationships with reporters and deep experience pitching to media outletsPast success in business development and securing new clientsExperience managing multiple priorities simultaneously and the ability to quickly pivot between clients, products and projectsRecord of building strong and effective partnerships with supervisor and colleagues internallyHighly organized and detail-oriented in a high-volume and fast-paced environmentStrong commitment to the WEST mission and passion for expanding social justice, racial and gender equity, and human rightsExperience in crisis communications a plusCompensation, Benefits and LocationThis position is in Washington, D.C. WEST employees are currently working a hybrid schedule with three days in the office and two working remotely. This role offers a competitive base salary ranging from $140,000 to $150,000, with the opportunity to earn significant bonuses. The average total compensation for this position often exceeds $200,000, inclusive of individual, firm wide, and business development bonuses. Benefits include health, dental, long-term disability, short-term disability, paid parental leave and a 401k plan with an employer contribution.To ApplyTo apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume online via this link. The cover letter should be concise and compelling and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this position. Only applications submitted through this website will be considered.WEST is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. As we work to create change through strategic communications, we are also working to create change in our firm and our industry.