Vice President

DeVries is a mid-sized, culture-first communications agency that combines the fast-moving, client-centric culture of a boutique with a global footprint across three regions: North America, Europe and Asia. With our HQ in New York City, our locations include Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.  We are dedicated to decoding culture to unlock sustained, meaningful influence for brands.

We are seeking a Vice President to join our consumer lifestyle team in the NY office, currently remote. The Vice President plays a critical role in determining the future and long-term success of DeVries Public Relations. A VP is responsible for managing the client relationship and teams and is accountable for delivering contracted work on time and within budget, staffing accounts appropriately and producing high-quality work and excellent results.  The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated record of developing and executing successful public relations strategies and programs.

A Vice President plays a critical role in determining the future and long-term success of DeVries Public Relations.  The VP is responsible for managing the client relationship and teams and is accountable for delivering contracted work on time and within budget, staffing accounts appropriately and producing high-quality work and excellent results.  The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated record of developing and executing successful public relations strategies and programs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client

• Serve as senior strategic counsel for the client
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders
• Maintain ongoing communication with clients on a daily basis
• Develop quality standards and ensure client satisfaction
• Develop long-term plans and program recommendations for clients
• Act on the front lines for any issues or challenges related to the business or team
• Responsible for client relations, review meetings, entertaining and client budget approval
• Develop and deliver client presentations

Media and Influencer Relations

• Solid understanding of how to craft relevant stories across all media types
• Evaluate/counsel team members’ pitching skills and makes time to train teams
• Demonstrate a well-developed knowledge of client relevant media
• Maintain roster of key media contacts
• Must have baseline level of knowledge and expertise re: social platforms and paid/owned/earned model
• Guides the team in making high-profile influencer strategy recommendations, establishing criteria and ensuring that the approach meets the client’s objectives
• Understands digital influencer landscape – selection, collaboration, activation
• Internal (client) and external (e.g. celebrity) spokesperson management
• Develop and manage brand relationship and presence on new media through earned influencer programs

Written & Oral Skills

• Ability to convey ideas and recommendations in a strategic and compelling manner
• Supervise all team writing and editing and makes time to train teams
• Be accountable for and have control over final review of all presentations, memos, meeting reports and client materials
• Work closely with senior management to develop strategic and creative recommendations
• Extremely comfortable with plan/idea presentation; compelling speaking style

Budgeting

• Understands DeVries’ business model and staffing
• Comfortable managing up to $1M of client revenue
• Strong sense of how to hunt for organic opportunities for growth
• Create and execute accurate budget estimates for clients for long-term and short-term programs and adhere to approved funds
• Overall budget management (Fee and OOP tracking)
• Authorize billing invoices and if necessary, follow-up with past-due invoices to clients

Team Management

• Elevates successes and challenges appropriately to supervisor
• Provide leadership, direction and guidance to account team(s)
• Develop and coach account teams for peak performance
• Work with peers to further the mission, goals and culture of the agency
• Be key contact for internal staff to address issues
• Ensure quality work from team in order to meet/exceed client expectations
• Attend account reviews and staff meetings – provide ongoing communications and feedback
• Help structure and staff new and existing project teams, including reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates
• Ensure that account team members adhere to agency time reporting and financial guidelines
• Conduct performance reviews
• Make recommendations regarding salary increases, promotions, etc.
• Serve as a role model to other team members

New Business Development

• New business hungry mentality; strong networker
• Assist in the development of new business initiatives
• Capable participating in new business pitch development and presentations

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Professional Experience

9+ years related professional experience

Success Factors

• Can turn ideas into workable plans
• Adeptness in conveying ownership of assigned projects to junior team members
• Demonstrate the ability to resolve conflict
• Skill in mobilizing and motivating teams
• Expertise in working independently
• Excellent oral and written business communication skills
• Aptitude for financial analysis
• Can complete challenging projects within set parameters
• Exceptional judgment when working with team members, client contacts and vendors
• Aptitude for successfully “selling” additional services or negotiate additional funding for projects
• Commitment and dedication to the agency’s success as well as individual career
• Desire to pursue learning and self-development; participates in required and voluntary professional development programs.
• Can anticipate client and team needs
• Attention to detail and quality
• Can solve problems
• Can impress new business prospects

DeVries is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. DeVries recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship st