Vice President, Communications (New York)

At Comella & Co., we help organizations tell their most important stories and reach the audiences that matter most. We were founded by Maria Comella, a nationally recognized strategist who has been described as a political unicorn because she is one of the few leaders to have earned trust and delivered results on both sides of the aisle. From the campaign trail to the C-suite, Maria has guided presidential campaigns, led communications for fast-growing companies, and advised governors in both New York and New Jersey. Her experience across politics, government, and the private sector gives our work its distinctive edge: clear strategy, creative thinking, and the ability to navigate complexity with purpose and impact.

We are an entrepreneurial and fast-growing firm seeking a Vice President of Communications to lead at the highest level: someone who can set strategy, drive media engagement, and deliver results that shape conversations locally and nationally. This is a senior leadership role for a proven media operator with strong corporate and agency communications experience and deep relationships across the technology and business press, with a track record of breaking through in competitive news environments.

This person will not only execute but define strategy, elevate our clients' profiles, and expand our firm's reach.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as senior communications strategist across a portfolio of high-profile clients in business, public affairs, and beyond.

• Develop and lead comprehensive, integrated communications strategies aligned with client growth, reputation, and policy objectives.

• Leverage extensive New York and DC media relationships to secure top-tier coverage across print, digital, broadcast, and emerging platforms and proactively identify new reporters, editors, producers, and platforms aligned with evolving client narratives.

• Demonstrate a genuine passion for relationship building by researching, pursuing, and cultivating new connections, even without prior relationships, and thoughtfully matching the right story to the right audience.

• Proactively identify narrative opportunities and aggressively drive story placement in competitive news cycles.

• Shape executive visibility strategies, including major interviews, thought leadership placements, keynote speaking engagements, and opinion pieces.

• Contribute to business development efforts, including participating in pitches and helping expand client relationships.

• Refuse to accept “no.” Relentlessly pursue creative angles, alternative pathways, and breakthrough ideas to achieve results.

What You’ll Bring

• 12+ years of communications experience in a fast moving environment such as a start-up or political campaign.

• Extensive, active relationships with top-tier technology and business press, and a proven ability to build new relationships from the ground up.

• A demonstrable history of successful media relations and extensive on the record experience.

• Experience advising senior executives, political leaders, or high-profile principals.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and message development skills.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to see around corners and anticipate risks and opportunities.

• Strong leadership presence with experience managing teams and mentoring talent.

• Entrepreneurial drive and comfort operating in a fast-paced, growing firm.

• Creativity, fearlessness, and the confidence to push boundaries when needed.

Why Join Us

You’ll join a collaborative, ambitious team that values creativity, curiosity, and results. As a senior leader, you’ll help shape the future of the firm, drive marquee accounts, and build a best-in-class communications operation grounded in strategy and bold execution.

This role offers significant leadership opportunities, influence over firm growth, and the ability to make an impact through meaningful client work.

This is a hybrid role. Work from home or in the office on Tuesday and Friday, and in our New York City office Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

At Comella & Co., we offer:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• 20 days of PTO
• $160,000 – $180,000 a year