About the Role
We are seeking an experienced strategic communicator to join our growing Higher Education team. This senior leader will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, leading complex communications programs and providing strategic counsel to senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience managing large, high-profile accounts, navigating complex client environments, leading teams, managing budgets and driving new business opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who carries a passion for higher education and the role it plays in society, in elevating the stories of colleges, universities and other corollary organizations and in leading on client work to achieve and advance their goals and initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior strategic counselor to clients, providing executive-level communications guidance and helping institutions navigate complex reputational, policy and industry challenges
- Lead the development and execution of integrated communications campaigns that leverage public affairs, earned media, social and digital tactics to reach key audiences and achieve client goals
- Directly manage and mentor staff and provide overall strategic direction and feedback for their development and client work
- Hold the pen on drafting high level materials including strategy decks, communications plans, messaging and op-eds
- Collaborate closely with the management team to develop and inspire our team of strategists to be innovative and creative
- Serve as a key voice in new business development efforts, including identifying opportunities, developing proposals and participating in pitches and client growth conversations
Requirements
- 11+ years of relevant strategic communications experience, including experience in PR agencies, higher education communications, public affairs, nonprofit, corporate communications, or related environments
- PR agency experience strongly preferred, including demonstrated client management skills and strong business acumen
- Is an avid consumer of news, with a strong news sense and knowledge of the media and experience engaging and maintaining strong relationships with key reporters covering the top issues of the day
- Experience engaging with media for both rapid response and long-lead stories
- Experience managing, prepping and staffing high-touch principals or organizational leaders
- Ability to multi-task easily, including handling multiple assignments at once, working quickly and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment while paying close attention to details
- Enjoys managing people and has experience in successfully 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
Skills
- Strategic communications
- Client management
- Business acumen
- Media relations
- Public affairs
- Earned media
- Social media
- Digital tactics
- Written communications
- Oral communications
- Team leadership
- Mentoring
- Business development
- Budget management
Location
- New York City, NY
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
Work Type
- Hybrid
Experience Level
- Senior
- 11+ years
Salary/Compensations
- $155,000-$175,000
Benefits
- End of year bonuses based on firm, team and individual performance
About the Company
- BerlinRosen is part of Orchestra, a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world.
- Orchestra integrates people, platforms, and stories that stick to help clients build lasting influence.
- The company offers programs that span from the highest level strategic business counsel through to tactical execution.
- Orchestra brings together 700+ people with experience across consumer and lifestyle, technology, nonprofit and philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and more.
- Made up of leading firms BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR.
- It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals, and Versus Media Group, a strategy-first political media team.
- Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.
- Orchestra is the first communications company built for today’s media landscape.
- Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR.
- It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communication professionals.
- Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.
Equal Opportunity
- People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
- Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.
