Senior Vice President, Media Relations and Communications

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Salary Not AvailableSenior Level15+ years expFull time

Posted 4 months ago

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Job Summary

Lead a senior media strategy and advisory practice, coaching Fortune 500 executives, shaping cross-platform stories, and mentoring a 4–5 person team to deliver high-impact client outcomes.

  • Own development of media strategies and story pillar integration across client work.
  • Must-have: 12–15 years in consulting or corporate communications with relevant networks.
  • Standout: lead a 4–5 person team and drive new business opportunities.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Craft Human Narratives: Lead the development of media strategies that move beyond “corporate speak” to highlight the purpose and people behind the world’s largest brands.
  • C-Suite Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 executives, coaching them on media presence, reputation management and high-stakes storytelling.
  • Global Media Engagement: Leverage deep-rooted relationship with top-tier business, policy, and trade journalists to secure high-impact visibility for our clients.
  • Lead Multi-Platform Strategy: Oversee the “Story” pillar of our work, ensuring media relations are seamlessly integrated with consulting deliverables and activations.
  • Navigate Complexity: Provide senior-level guidance on risks and sensitivities, helping clients navigate the intersection of business, policy and impact.
  • Nurture a High-Performing Team: Directly manage and mentor a team of 4-5 professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
  • Advocate for Growth: Identify individual strengths within your team, providing the coaching and opportunities necessary for them to advance their careers within the firm.
  • Cultivate Team Alignment: Ensure your team feels supported and aligned with the firm’s vision, management workloads to maintain high standards without burnout.
  • Identify new client opportunities and support major business development pursuits.
  • Contribute to pitch materials, proposals, and external thought leadership for the firm and the CEO.

Requirements

  • At least 12-15 years of experience in consulting, corporate strategy, communications, or public affairs ideally with experience and relationships in healthcare, sports and/or higher education
  • Proven experience managing high-level client accounts and complex project workstreams
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; confident representing the firm externally
  • Strong project management capabilities with the ability to lead teams toward delivery without direct supervision
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to move seamlessly between big-picture direction and tactical execution
  • Experience with executive advisory or C-suite engagement
  • Familiarity with corporate philanthropy, global convenings, or cross-sector partnerships

Benefits

  • Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Generous vacation policy coordinated with your supervisor
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave (birth, adoption, or foster care)
  • Opportunities for international travel and exposure to high-level clients and partners
Handshake Strategies logo

Handshake Strategies

For leaders who recognize the value of aligning business goals with creating a better world, Handshake builds influence that meets a human need, solves a problem for society, and creates market value. At Handshake we recognize that the world is conducting business in a new way. Companies are harnessing more data than ever before and they are using this data to shape global marketplaces, and by extension, the world we all share. This information renaissance has created a generation of agile competitors who have greater field vision about their roles in society. Handshake works to help these future-facing businesses leverage their business capital through social engagement. We advise brand leaders on how to use their stature, expertise, and market leadership to increase not only the amount of good in the world, but also, their business’ bottom line. When companies embrace social stewardship, they also inspire their employees, their customers, and the world at large, leading to better business outcomes, a more positive corporate stature, and a healthier, more vibrant society.

Founded in 2014
New York, New York, USA
15 employees (1 in marketing)

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
691
Traffic Source Mix
Search
18.7%
Direct
56.2%
Referral
5.2%
Social
18.8%
Paid
1%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~15

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
1 (7% of company)