Job Description

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Vice Presidents at Reputation Partners play a critical role in directing the overall success of the firm, especially as it relates to ensuring the consistent delivery of quality client counsel and work product, developing and mentoring staff and contributing to new business efforts. Specifically, this position is responsible for living and modeling our values while maintaining and growing client relationships, developing high-level communications strategies, directing the firm's account staff on client work, coaching/developing staff, and actively contributing to new business efforts. This position also plays a key role in leading RP's crisis and labor communications practice while carrying full Vice President responsibilities across strategic counsel, staff development, and new business consistent with any other Vice President at the firm. Candidates should have deep, demonstrated experience in crisis/issues and labor matters alongside the general strategic communications range expected of a senior agency leader.

The Vice President position is an exempt position.

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Vice Presidents, like all professional staff at Reputation Partners, are expected to:

• Maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude towards colleagues and clients
• Model our values (Treating our People Well, Accountability, Partnership & Trust, Openness & Continuous Learning, Financial Soundness & Success) in everything they do.
• Consistently produce high quality, error-free work
• Consistently meet deadlines, including allowing supervisors ample time to review materials prior to client deadlines
• Proactively volunteer for new work/assignments when workload is light
• Be available on an as needed basis for evening, weekend and/or holiday work when client deadlines require it
• Actively contribute ideas in team brainstorms (in person and via e-mail)
• Participate in team meetings by offering concise and relevant updates on client work and new business assignments
• Consistently and accurately track/record billable, new business and administrative hours on timesheets on a daily basis
• Read Chicago and national newspapers on a daily basis, and read/watch relevant business media on a regular basis

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Account Work

• Provide independent, strategic counsel on crisis/issues and labor matters as one of RP's lead point people, including labor organizing and election strategy, contract negotiations, strike and other labor action preparation, NLRB charge response, and post-contract communications.
• Build issue anticipation and crisis playbooks for clients for training/preparation purposes and/or before a matter becomes public, including vulnerability audits and pre-approved messaging for anticipated scenarios.
• Serve as primary crisis counsel to C-suite, General Counsel, other executive leaders and board members during active matters, including coordination with outside legal counsel on messaging carrying privilege or litigation exposure.
• Be available for immediate activation during live crisis situations, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Provide independent, strategic client counsel and oversight on all facets of work conducted on behalf of clients. This includes leading messaging and media training sessions, overseeing the development of communication strategies, plans, proposals and communication materials, supervising the execution of various events and media relations efforts, leading team strategy/brainstorming sessions, etc.
• Provide guidance to all staff as they complete the daily/tactical elements of client account work. This includes trouble shooting on tactical issues, helping identify opportunities, etc.
• As necessary, and in partnership with other senior employees, be the gatekeeper for ensuring quality work is completed for clients in a timely manner
• Develop and nurture productive client relationships, including proactively and independently seeking opportunities to expand those relationships (i.e., into new business units, new geographies, etc.)
• Interface with clients, often at the senior most level, checking in regularly to ensure public relations is playing an important role in helping achieve the organization's objectives
• Set/approve and oversee account budgets
• Use AI tools for appropriate work for efficiency and quality, following the guidelines of RP's policies
• Educates clients on strategic AI opportunities and risks

Staff Development/Management

• Compile and conduct staff performance reviews (including three (3) month reviews for new employees, six (6) month check-in reviews, when they are needed, and annual reviews)
• Help make determinations on pay raises and promotions
• Set expectations and regularly evaluate performance against those expectations. Provide feedback and direction on performance to all staff members on a real-time and ongoing basis.
• Regularly assess account and agency staffing needs. Recruit, interview, and hire new employees as necessary
• Identify development opportunities, such as training, seminars, classroom instruction, online learning events, etc. for all members of the staff
• Contribute to a positive workplace by identifying ways to recognize the staff outside of formal promotions/pay raises
• Drive adoption of AI to improve account outcomes and team productivity
• Oversee AI integration in media monitoring, message testing, or internal workflows
• Coach team on ethical and effective AI use
• Design and lead internal crisis and labor simulations to build bench strength across the team, in addition to standard performance management and mentoring duties

New Business Development

• Actively contribute to the growth of the firm by expanding client engagements and/or securing new business opportunities. The annual target for vice presidents is $100,000.
• Actively network with potential referral and new business sources. This includes participating in get-to-know you luncheons, regularly checking-in with contacts, and seeking additional opportunities to be introduced to new sources
• Serve as an industry-facing thought leader on the topic of strategic communications and crisis and issues management, occasionally speaking at industry and client events as a speaker/moderator, serve as a source to industry trades and contribute to RP marketing content on the topic.
• Independently identify and proactively pursue new business leads on behalf of the firm. This includes identifying opportunities and securing an invitation to present the firm's capabilities
• In partnership with/under the direction of the Executive Vice President - Client Engagement, lead the development of new business proposals, including directing research, setting strategy, allocating proposal development responsibilities, determining proposed budgets, and ensuring the ultimate quality of the recommendations/proposal. In some instances, Vice Presidents are responsible for drafting strategic proposals
• Lead new business efforts specifically where crisis or labor exposure is the client's driving need, including cultivating outside legal counsel as a referral channel

Agency Management

• Continuously monitor account staffing allocations to ensure the firm is maximizing revenue generation opportunities. This includes ensuring accounts are not over/understaffed and making sure budgets are not exceeded
• Ensure account staff enters time daily and expenses as they are incurred. Ensure monthly client invoices are completed accurately and on time
• Conduct collection efforts on unpaid invoices
• Ensure clients complete/sign Letters of Intent and Letters of Agreement

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal Vice President candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications or a related field plus 8-10+ years of public relations or communications agency experience. Prior agency experience is required.
• In addition to the 8-10+ years of agency experience, candidates will have a demonstrated track record leading clients through a live labor dispute, strike, NLRB matter, or crisis of comparable stakes, and experience coordinating with outside legal counsel during litigation or regulatory matters
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Copilot)
• Familiarity with AI tools like Claude.
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple accounts simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to schedule work and balance priorities for the efficient flow and management of account work

Additional Information

We offer a robust benefits package, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical PPO, Principal Dental and Vision coverage, with an HRA; 401(k); generous PTO; FSA for medical, dependent care and parking/transit; employer-paid Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for wellness and employer-provided funds for medical FSA; Employer Assistance Program (EAP); Life and AD&D insurance including voluntary additional coverage available; professional development planning and support; and more.