Vice President, Crisis & Risk Communications

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.

This role is open to be based in: Chicago, IL

The Global Crisis & Reputation Risk practice is one of the most respected and largest in the world, serving clients on complex crises and with 100+ practitioners in more than 60 countries. The capabilities and diversity of talent have also grown to include former management consultants, digital leaders, sector experts, research and analytics specialists, and senior crisis counselors.

The Crisis & Reputation Risk team advises leading corporations, governments and institutions and their senior leaders on a broad range of crises including cybersecurity and data security incidents, data privacy matters, physical security risks, corporate malfeasance, societal issues, litigation, ethics and integrity matters, product and service risks, regulatory scrutiny, financial issues and other events that affect trust, reputation and business continuity.  

In today’s business environment of more frequent and costly crises, brands and organizations are looking to strategically bolster their resilience to potential reputational threats. We provide senior leadership and boards with strategic reputation risk management counsel to protect and enable the organization’s reputation. The support ranges across the crisis lifecycle – from preparedness to engagement and recovery.  We become experts on any client’s business, products, competitive set, and priorities. We conduct deep research and think creatively to help organizations identify threats to reputation, mitigate risk, manage issues and stay ahead.

About the Opportunity:

As Vice President, you’ll work closely with the most senior leaders in the company to counsel our clients in the food and beverage industry, among other client industries, on complex crises and other issues affecting trust and reputation. In addition to providing counsel to top clients, you’ll play an important role in building the practice’s client roster and developing new crisis specialties, offerings, and capabilities that capture strategic growth.

Additionally, this role requires someone who is invigorated by challenges, complex subject matter and thinking critically through the lens of risk mitigation and crisis response, as they will play an integral role in leading accounts that are at the center of some of the most relevant discussions in the world today.

Other responsibilities include:

• Play an active role in strategically driving and developing crisis account work
• Lead operational and financial performance of account teams, ensuring quality work, effective processes and that client requests are handled in timely and strategic fashion
• Thoughtfully counsel clients based on business goals; take immediate action on client feedback
• Work alongside clients to develop communications plans and materials
• Oversee junior staff by providing clear and consistent feedback, and advancing work product
• Lead new business development efforts, capitalizing on, and contributing to, the Edelman global network to serve and help grow the firm’s food & bev offering, including proactively expanding existing relationships and bridging new relationships
• Demonstrate advanced writing skills and supervise writing of others
• Set and lead both traditional and social strategic media relations course
• Manage billing and budgets

Basic Qualifications:

• Have 8 years+ of crisis management experience and experience running integrated account work, managing a team, and growing account work with clients.
• Able to work a hybrid schedule with 3 days a week in the Chicago office or on site with clients
• Have a bachelor’s degree in a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience with consumer/CPG clients or have food sector experience
• Ability to provide sound communications counsel in legally sensitive, fast-moving and high-pressure environments
• Excellent client relationship skills and experience giving counsel on strategy, approach, and execution
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and time/project management skills; possess the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Able to adapt on the fly, comfortable in a quickly and constantly changing landscape, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Track record of growing profitable programs that have advanced client business goals
• Media relations and message development skills to lead execution of plans, crisis response messaging and storytelling on behalf of clients
• Experience in working in new business and driving proposal development and opportunities for the team
• Sound judgment and proven problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop and help coach a team, in addition to leading work
• Ability to secure new business and contribute to and/or lead new business pitches
• Ability to travel as needed
• Willing to respond outside of regular work hours as needed to manage breaking issues

$105,000-155,000 a year

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

DJEH offers a wide range of benefits: medical and dental insurance, vision, 401K, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, travel assistance and wellness programing.

DJEH is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and believes in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation in any part of the employment process, please let us know.