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Account Director, Corporate Issues
New York, New York, United States
Account Director, Corporate Issues
The Weber Shandwick New York office is seeking an Account Director to join its Global Crisis and Issues Practice.
What we are seeking:
We are looking for a Director to help us grow our Global Crisis and Issues Practice and support a wide array of high-profile clients with crisis preparedness and live crisis and issues counsel and support. You have extensive crisis communications and issues management experience, preferably across multiple industries, but with a greater focus on pharmaceutical, biotech, health system and other healthcare clients. Additionally, you have experience helping clients navigate cyberattack communications.
You will play an important role on our team, leading a broad range of projects, developing new business opportunities, and helping to mentor and grow the skill sets of emerging talent in our practice. You should be digital analytics savvy, have strong writing skills and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Previous agency experience is a must.
Our team:
Our team is a group of smart, analytical and hardworking people who care deeply about helping lead our clients through a crisis to make a positive impact on society. We are on the front lines of some of the biggest, most complex issues – and the nature of our work requires an ability and eagerness to juggle multiple responsibilities and work on multi-office client teams. You will have the opportunity to play a leading role in driving both ongoing client engagements and discrete projects.
What you will be doing:
- Support a range of issues and crisis communications situations for companies and organizations, including cybersecurity and data breach issues, product safety issues and recalls, workplace culture, litigation, regulatory compliance issues, DEI-related matters, investigative reporting, and more.
- Serve as the day-to-day client contact — flagging, triaging, and directly managing client issues as they arise.
- Train and motivate emerging talent and help create opportunities for their growth.
- Develop and draft crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations and other deliverables as needed.
- Oversee and execute proactive media outreach and reactive media relations strategies in connection with issues and crisis management strategies as needed.
- Provide regular counsel to clients and colleagues.
- Keep client programs on schedule and ensure all deadlines are met within budget parameters.
- Participate in new business development for the team and collaborate among practice areas at the agency in support of broader new business pitches that include a crisis and issues component.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and/or 5+ years of relevant experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political campaign, or similar setting.
- Experience directly counseling clients/senior ranking executives through a broad range of crises, issues and special situations.
- Experience with corporate reputation, brand management and protection through integrated communications programs.
- Familiarity with the latest digital trends in social media strategy, tools, and analytics – including generative AI tools
- Experience with cybersecurity event and litigation matter communications.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and/or 5+ years of relevant experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political campaign, or similar setting.
- Proficient understanding of corporate communications and crisis and issues management best practices.
- Skilled crisis and issues media relations strategist and practitioner with top-tier media relations experience.
- Thrives under pressure and can handle multiple projects in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment.
- Exercises exceptional judgment when working with clients, team members, and vendors.
- Communicates clearly, analytically, and persuasively both orally and in writing.
- Pays close attention to detail and quality of work product.
- Adept at solving problems and resolving conflicts.
- Capable of mobilizing and motivating teams, anticipating needs, and instilling confidence.
- Experience delivering media and crisis training is a plus.
About the Global Crisis and Issues Practice
Weber Shandwick’s Global Crisis and Issues Practice helps leading organizations both manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop the internal culture and infrastructure needed to anticipate, prepare and navigate them effectively. From cyberattacks, environmental protests, high-profile litigation and misinformation defense to sweeping product recalls, multinational bankruptcies and executive controversies, we live at the intersection of business, media, policy, culture and society.
Our multi-disciplinary team of experts in crisis, public policy, culture, business and analytics know how to make sense of data to provide context and perspective and predict trends. We mitigate against vulnerabilities, provide real-time feedback and validate communications strategies to help clients navigate risk and reward in a complex and ever-changing world.
About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-List in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019. Weber Shandwick was also honored as PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com
The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401k (with employer match)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Juice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
- MyDays – Flexible holiday schedules
- Short-Term Disability
- Paid Employee Family Leave
- Family Building Benefit
NYC Salary range: $115,000 – $135,000
Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.
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