Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 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.

Preferred

• Experience spanning both technology and defense sectors (preferred).
• Experience in cybersecurity, national security, aerospace and defense, AI, emerging technology or other highly regulated technology sectors (significant advantage).
• A collaborative, curious and entrepreneurial leadership style, with an interest in emerging technologies and the changing communications environment.

Benefits

• A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off and/or other benefits also are available.