Account Director, Corporate Issues

About the role

Weber Shandwick New York office is seeking an Account Director in New York to join its Global Crisis and Issues Practice. The team helps leading organizations manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop internal culture and infrastructure needed to predict, prepare, and navigate them effectively. From conspiracy theories, environmental incidents and multinational bankruptcies to executive controversies and sweeping product recalls to high-profile litigation and fake news, we live at the front lines of media, culture, and conversation. Whether it is a program affecting internal stakeholders or an external effort to protect or defend an organization’s reputation, we work together with colleagues from around the country and globe daily, supplying crisis counsel to clients across industries and sectors, making deep curiosity a requisite for this position. Our team is a group of smart, analytical and hardworking people who care deeply about helping lead our clients through a crisis to make a positive impact on society. We are on the front lines of some of the biggest, most complex issues – and the nature of our work requires an ability and eagerness to juggle multiple responsibilities and work on multi-office client teams. You will have the opportunity to play a leading role in driving both ongoing client engagements and discrete projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects and client relationships as key team member to navigate a range of complex, high-profile corporate issues /crisis communications situations (i.e., cybersecurity issues, product safety issues and recalls, executive leadership changes, natural disaster response, culture change, societal issues etc.)
• Serve as the day-to-day client contact – providing account support and counsel, flagging, triaging, and directly managing client issues as they arise.
• Lead data-driven industry and topic analysis to inform business strategy and issues management approach, including leveraging AI, media monitoring and social analysis tools.
• Develop and draft crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, media trainings, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations and other deliverables as needed.
• Work directly with senior team leads and other practice group leaders to achieve client success and deliver industry-leading perspectives on topical issues.
• Train and motivate emerging talent and help create opportunities for their growth and development.
• Provide regular counsel to clients and colleagues and liaise with global partners to provide global market insights.
• Keep client programs on schedule and ensure all deadlines are met within budget parameters.
• Participate in new business development for the team and collaborate among practice areas at the agency in support of broader new business pitches that include a crisis and issues component.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and/or 5+ years of relevant experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political