VP, Issues and Crisis

About the role

At We., we help leading organizations navigate complexity and build meaningful connections with the audiences that matter most. This includes managing reputation, business, policy, and stakeholder challenges for Fortune 500 companies, large nonprofits, and other leading organizations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior counselor to Fortune 500 companies, large nonprofits and philanthropies, and other leading organizations facing complex reputation, business, policy and stakeholder challenges.
• Lead issues management and crisis communications programs across a range of scenarios, including cybersecurity incidents, litigation, regulatory investigations, executive issues, labor and workforce matters, geopolitical events, public affairs challenges and business transformation initiatives.
• Help clients anticipate and navigate emerging risks, providing strategic counsel that strengthens reputation, builds stakeholder trust and helps prevent issues from escalating into crises.
• Develop crisis preparedness plans, escalation protocols, stakeholder engagement strategies, response playbooks and executive communications frameworks.
• Lead crisis simulations, executive trainings and scenario planning exercises with senior leadership teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Partner closely with communications, public affairs, legal, government relations, investor relations, HR and business leaders to align strategies and drive effective decision-making during high-stakes situations.
• Develop and coordinate integrated communications campaigns designed to influence stakeholders and achieve business outcomes in a range of scenarios, including crisis management, litigation, labor relations, public affairs, and reputation recovery.
• Counsel C-suite executives and communications leaders on sensitive issues, stakeholder engagement and executive visibility.
• Support business development efforts, including thought leadership, proposal development, client pitches and organic growth opportunities related to issues management, crisis communications and public affairs.
• Help shape and evolve We.'s Issues + Crisis offering, methodologies, tools and market positioning.
• Serve as an expert resource across We's priority sectors, supporting client teams, mentoring colleagues and partnering on integrated opportunities across the agency.

Requirements

• 8-10+ years of experience in strategic communications, issues management, crisis communications, public affairs or related disciplines with agency experience preferred and a demonstrated track record of leading high-performing teams.
• Extensive experience counseling senior executives and communications leaders through complex reputation, business and stakeholder challenges.
• Proven ability to develop and lead issues management and crisis communications strategies across a range of scenarios, including regulatory, legal, workforce, geopolitical, cybersecurity and reputational issues; policy and public affairs experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of today's information environment, including the impact of AI, social media, digital communities and emerging technologies on stakeholder perception and organizational reputation.
• Experience leveraging media monitoring, social listening, AI-powered intelligence and other data-driven tools to identify emerging risks, detect early signals and inform strategic decision-making.
• Ability to identify trends, connect disparate signals and anticipate potential issues before they escalate into broader reputation challenges.
• Experience partnering effectively with legal, public affairs, government relations, investor relations, HR and executive leadership teams during high-stakes situations.
• Experience across the full business development lifecycle, including thought leadership, conference speaking, networking and prospecting, developing proposals, contributing to RFP responses and leading pitches both in-person and virtually.
• Strong presentation, consulting and writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Experience working across global markets, mentoring and developing teams, and thriving in a fast-paced, client-service environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional certifications in crisis communication, public affairs, or related fields are a plus.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with crisis management software and tools.
• Knowledge of regulatory and legal frameworks relevant to crisis management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Pretax accounts including HSA (company match), Medical & Dependent Care FSA.
• Generous time off including PTO, Holidays, Annual Wellness Break, Summer Fridays and Personal Days.
• Short & Long-Term Disability, paid by company.
• Parental Leave, up to 12 weeks for birthing and non-birthing parent.
• Caregiver Leave, up to 2 weeks to help eligible family member with serious health condition.
• Community Engagement, up to 24 hours.
• Bi-annual Wellness Credits, up to $300 per year.
• Support with home office equipment.
• Monthly Technology Credit (to offset internet / phone costs).
• 401(k) Traditional and Roth options with company match.
• Learning and Development Programs for our employees.

Pay

The base annual salary range for this role, applicable across all U.S. locations, is $147,000 - $188,000 USD.

Schedule

North America non-remote employees are required to come into the office 3 days a week.