Partner, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive and C-suite clients on communications, public affairs, reputation, and stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Lead the development of messaging frameworks, narrative strategies, positioning, and communications recommendations informed by primary research.
• Guide clients through complex issues, helping translate stakeholder insights into actionable business and communications strategies.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership teams and key decision-makers.
• Oversee qualitative and quantitative research programs, ensuring findings are translated into clear business and communications recommendations.
• Partner with research teams to design and interpret stakeholder interviews, focus groups, message testing, audience research, and reputation studies.
• Connect research insights to communications, public affairs, corporate reputation, and business objectives.
• Ensure the firm continues to deliver insight-driven counsel rather than research for research's sake.
• Develop and expand relationships with prospective and existing clients.
• Generate new business opportunities through personal networks, industry relationships, thought leadership, and market visibility.
• Lead proposal development, pitch presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, and research engagements.
• Contribute meaningfully to revenue growth and long-term business development efforts.
• Manage and mentor consultants, researchers, and client-facing team members.
• Foster collaboration across research, strategy, and client service functions.
• Participate in firm leadership discussions related to growth strategy, service offerings, talent development, and operational excellence.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual capital, methodologies, and thought leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience within a communications agency, public affairs firm, strategic consultancy, research consultancy, or advisory organization.
• Experience advising senior executives and leadership teams on communications, reputation, stakeholder engagement, or public affairs initiatives.
• Deep familiarity with qualitative research methodologies, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, stakeholder interviews, message testing, and audience research.
• Experience translating research findings into messaging, narrative, positioning, and strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated success generating new business and growing client relationships.
• Experience leading complex client engagements and managing senior-level stakeholder relationships.
• Proven track record leading teams and developing talent.