Senior Manager, Strategy & Engagement

About Purple Strategies

Purple Strategies is a corporate reputation and strategy firm that combines the creativity and discipline of brand communications with the speed and strategy of political campaigns to help leverage or reduce pressure on a business, brand or issue. We help build and defend reputation and brand value and serve Fortune 500 companies, associations, nonprofits and some of the most recognizable brands in the world. 

Purple helps the world’s most important organizations address their toughest challenges. We operate in a highly collaborative environment and apply integrated, team-based approaches to help clients: 

• ANTICIPATE reputation challenges and opportunities; 
• COMPEL change through business actions and transformation; and 
• NAVIGATE reputation issues, acute crises, key business choices and policy/regulatory changes to inform decision-making. 

About The Position

This is a full-time position in Purple Strategies’ Alexandria, VA or Chicago, IL office. The Senior Manager is responsible for leading significant client engagements, overseeing strategic direction, quality assurance, and client relationships. They play a critical role in developing and implementing integrated communications and strategic plans, while mentoring junior staff and driving operational excellence. As a member of the team, the Senior Manager works to make Purple indispensable to its clients by bringing our expertise to bear in big ideas and creative thinking while making the best decisions between better choices. They directly manage junior level client relationships and support the planning and delivery of integrated campaigns and communications projects, ensuring alignment with overarching strategic goals.  

The ideal candidate thrives on challenges, actively seeks and applies feedback, and approaches their work with diligence, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to excellence, even when it means stepping outside their comfort zone, to deliver top-quality results. 

In This Position, You Will  

• Manage complex client relationships, ensuring proactive communication and exceptional service delivery. 

• Produce and/or oversee the production of high-quality client deliverables, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and strategic alignment.   

• Provide project management and foundational support across client teams and projects, including scheduling, meeting agendas and notes, tracking next steps, workback plans, drafting client communications, producing reports, PowerPoint deck outlines and development, research, data gathering, activation coordination, etc. 

• Serve as a reliable point of contact for clients on specific projects, building trusted relationships. 

• Identify and present strategic opportunities and proactively address project challenges. 

• Mentor and guide project teams or plans, assigning responsibilities, fostering professional growth and effective collaboration. 

• Manage project timelines and track budgets as directed with clients and internal teams. 

• Support logistical and general needs for meetings, presentations, and events, ensuring smooth operations. 

• Collaborate closely with senior team members, proactively seeking guidance and actioning feedback to develop professional capabilities. 

• Manage project documentation, scheduling, and reporting accurately and efficiently. 

• Contribute to internal projects as assigned as well as new business and marketing initiatives. 

• Perform additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public affairs, or related field. 

• Recommended 5 - 8+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or consulting roles. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, teams, and client relationships simultaneously while producing high quality work. 

• Demonstrated ability to use AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly to enhance work product while consistently applying critical thinking, judgment, protecting confidentiality, and maintaining accountability for work quality and accuracy.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, familiarity with research tools preferred. 

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and presentation skills.  

• Superb writing and proofreading skills and attention to detail in own work. 

• Reliability/personal accountability, especially when it comes to adhering to timelines and delivering error-free client-facing deliverables. 

• Excellent organization, client service and communication skills.  

• Strong traditional and digital media skills and knowledge, as well as a perspective on the shifting communications environment across digital platforms.  

• Exceptional time management skills; ability to prioritize multiple projects at once.  

• Entrepreneurial self-starter who is polished and professional.  

• Experience with media contact software and media compiling services is a plus.  

• Open-minded and respectful to multiple points of view; comfortable collaborating closely with others.  

• Embodiment of Purple’s values: Adaptable, Collaborative, Curious, Innovative, Industrious, Respectful.  

Work Location    

This is a full-time position based in our Alexandria, VA or Chicago, IL office.  Purple Strategies offers a hybrid model and seeks employees who are comfortable working in the office three days a week.  

How To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter online at purplestrategies.com/join-our-team/   

Purple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.