Vice President Strategy

The Vice President, Strategy is a senior communications leader responsible for two things: winning new business and setting the strategic direction that makes current client relationships grow. This person builds proposals and client relationships that convert prospects into clients, while advising current account teams on the specific strategic moves that deepen retention and generate referrals. This role also includes direct management of a small team.

This is roughly an even split between new business and current client strategy. About half your time will go toward growing JConnelly's client base — engaging directly with prospects, shaping how we position our thinking, and building proposals that demonstrate our value and win new business. The other half is spent embedded with current client teams, setting the specific strategic direction that deepens relationships and creates the kind of results clients talk about and refer.

What You'll Do

Shape communications strategy for current and prospective clients

• Lead conversations with prospective clients, draft and present proposals that clearly reflect JConnelly's thinking and value
• Advise current client teams on specific strategic moves that expand scope, drive referrals, and produce the kind of visible results clients talk about
• Manage account profitability by keeping scope and staffing aligned to contracted deliverables

Team Leadership & Management

• Directly manage one to three employees; set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and hold the team accountable for quality and deadlines
• Mentor colleagues, helping them become stronger strategic thinkers through hands-on coaching and feedback
• Push teams past the obvious answer to sharper, more defensible strategic choices
• Develop practical frameworks and tools that teams can apply across client assignments

Requirements

• Has personally owned the business development process end to end — sourcing, pitching, and closing
• 7+ years in PR or communications, with a demonstrated record of closing $3M+ annually
• Proximity to or ability to get to New York regularly. Travel is required.
• Significant hands-on earned-media experience is required — deep understanding of the media landscape, news judgment, narrative development, and what it takes to earn attention, not simply how earned media fits into a channel plan
• Experience translating complex subject matter into business-relevant narratives; B2B, technical, or highly regulated industries is a strong plus
• Experience managing and developing people, with accountability for their output and growth
• A bias toward speed and decisiveness — comfortable moving before every variable is known
• A history of presenting directly to senior client executives — not just supporting the room — on strategy, counsel, or new business
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills; your thinking must hold up on the page as well as it does in the room

Featured Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance (Horizon BCBS, Guardian/VSP)Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) on select medical plans
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D coverage
• ESOP — employee stock ownership, fully funded by JConnelly, no cost to you
• 401(k) with company match (traditional & Roth options)
• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter
• FSAs
• Supplemental coverage through Aflac (disability, critical illness, and more)
• Free 24/7 healthcare navigation through Health Advocate
• Virtual vet consultations through Petzey