Account Director - Crisis and Issues Communications

The Weber Shandwick New York office is seeking an Account Director in New York to join its Global Crisis and Issues Practice.Weber Shandwick’s Global and Issues Crisis team, part of the Weber Advisory group, helps leading organizations across the world both manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop the 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.

Candidate Qualities

We are looking for a change agent to help us grow our Global Crisis and Issues Practice and support a wide array of high-profile clients with crisis preparedness, reputation management and live crisis/issues counsel and support. You should have extensive crisis communications and issues management experience, preferably across multiple industries and across the spectrum of public and private companies. 

You will play an important roleon our team, leading a broad range of projects, developing new business opportunities, and helping to mentor and grow the skill sets of emerging talent in our practice. You should be digital analytics-savvy, have strong writing skills and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Previous agency experience is a must. An additional plus: experience working in public affairs or media role.

Our Team

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. 

What You Will Be Doing

• 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 issuesetc.)  

• 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 campaign, or similar setting.

• Experience directly counseling clients/senior ranking executives through a broad range of crises, issues and special situations.

• Experience with corporate reputation, brand management and protection through integrated communications programs.

• Expertise with the latest digital management, trends and strategy, tools, and analytics and ability to turn insights into actionable recommendations.

• Familiarity with AI, next gen programs and data aggregation with large datasets to inform strategy.

• Thrives under pressure and can handle multiple projects in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment, including live crisis situations that may require significant working hours.

• Exercises exceptional judgment when working with clients, team members, and vendors.

• Communicates clearly, analytically, and persuasively both orally and in writing.

• Pays close attention to detail and quality of work product.

• Adept at solving problems and resolving conflicts.

• Capable of mobilizing and motivating teams, anticipating needs, and instilling confidence.

• Experience delivering media and crisis training.

• Solid understanding of markets and issues affecting the financial and reputational well-being of companies 

About the Global Crisis and Issues Practice

Weber Shandwick’s Global Crisis and Issues Practice helps leading organizations both manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop the internal culture and infrastructure needed to anticipate, prepare and navigate them effectively. From cyberattacks, environmental protests, high-profile litigation and misinformation defense to sweeping product recalls, multinational bankruptcies and executive controversies, we live at the intersection of business, media, policy, culture and society.