Public Relations - Assistant Vice President: Crisis Communications

Job Description

Job Description

Assistant Vice President – Role Summary

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) is a senior communications leader responsible for independently owning significant client relationships, setting campaign strategy, and delivering measurable business results. This role blends senior client counsel, advanced media expertise, people leadership, and commercial ownership with a modern understanding of digital communications, AI-enabled workflows, and evolving media landscapes.

The AVP leads a book of business, directly manages a team, and operates with a high degree of autonomy while partnering closely with senior leadership. This individual is accountable not only for client satisfaction and program quality, but for account profitability, organic growth, and the development of the people on their team.

This role is ideal for an established communications professional ready to take full ownership of client outcomes, build agency visibility through networking and new business, and grow into Vice President and broader agency leadership responsibilities.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel

• Independently lead and own approximately $600K–$1.25M in client account revenue across retainer accounts and projects
• Serve as the senior day-to-day client contact and trusted advisor across assigned accounts, setting the tone for responsiveness, strategic thinking, and sound judgment
• Set the direction for client calls, planning sessions, quarterly business reviews, and ongoing account communications
• Create and oversee integrated communications strategies, PR plans, campaign themes, and executive visibility programs aligned with client business objectives
• Provide senior counsel across reputation management, thought leadership, media strategy, and stakeholder communications
• Own account profitability, including budget planning, scope management, staffing levels, and the balance between service levels and client deliverables
• Identify, shape, and close organic growth opportunities within existing client relationships

 

Media Relations & Executive Visibility

• Demonstrate senior-level media relations capabilities with established relationships across business, trade, broadcast, digital, and national media
• Set the narrative direction for client programs, shaping story angles and proactive media strategies that generate meaningful exposure
• Personally secure and oversee high-profile media opportunities, feature coverage, executive interviews, speaking engagements, and thought leadership placements
• Oversee media preparation across accounts, including briefing documents, messaging guidance, executive prep, and event coordination
• Direct media outreach across account teams, coaching junior staff on pitching strategy, positioning, and follow-through
• Lead special initiatives including book launches, executive campaigns, conferences, industry events, and media tours

 

Crisis Communications & Reputation Management

• Lead the development and execution of crisis and issues management strategies for clients
• Oversee and approve materials including holding statements, Q&As, executive talking points, media statements, and stakeholder communications
• Anticipate reputational risks by monitoring media, social, and industry developments, and escalate emerging issues to senior leadership
• Counsel clients directly through sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and strategic judgment
• Coordinate with senior leadership, legal counsel, and external partners during active issues

 

Team Leadership & People Management

• Directly manage two to three employees, with additional oversight of Account Supervisors, Account Executives, Account Coordinators, and interns supporting assigned accounts
• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and hold the team accountable for quality and deadlines
• Deliver ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and formal performance reviews for direct reports
• Identify development needs and create growth paths that build bench strength for the agency
• Model and reinforce a collaborative, high-performing, and solutions-oriented team culture

 

Writing, Content & Messaging

• Finalize and approve key campaign messages and client-facing positioning
• Review, edit, and elevate agency-generated materials before they reach the client
• Oversee development of press releases, executive messaging, award submissions, bylined content, social media copy, and other strategic communications materials
• Ensure messaging is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with broader client positioning and business priorities

 

Business Development, Networking & Industry Engagement

• Contribute directly to agency growth through new business development, prospect research, proposal writing, and pitch participation
• Build and maintain an active professional network across media, industry, and client communities
• Represent JConnelly at industry events, panels, and professional organizations to strengthen agency visibility
• Identify partnership, referral, and relationship-expansion opportunities and bring them forward to leadership
• Contribute ideas that strengthen agency positioning, service offerings, and market relevance

 

Digital Communications & AI Fluency

• Demonstrate strong command of digital communications, social platforms, audience engagement, and emerging media trends
• Apply AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve research, content development, media monitoring, workflow efficiency, and strategic insights
• Guide team members on responsible, effective use of AI tools and set quality standards for AI-assisted work
• Understand and communicate the opportunities and risks associated with AI-generated content and communications
• Stay informed on evolving communications technologies, analytics tools, and digital best practices

 

Operational Excellence & Agency Contribution

• Manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities with strong organizational discipline and attention to detail
• Ensure accurate time tracking, forecasting, and reporting across assigned accounts
• Contribute to agency initiatives, culture, collaboration, and operational improvement efforts
• Act as a steward of the JConnelly brand, consistently reflecting the Company’s core values, approach, and high standards of excellence in all client, media, and public interactions
• Perform other duties as assigned

 

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
• 7–10+ years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, media relations, journalism, corporate communications, or related fields
• Proven experience independently owning client relationships and leading integrated communications programs
• Direct people management experience, including delegation, coaching, and performance feedback
• Advanced media relations skills with a demonstrated record of securing high-impact coverage and executive visibility opportunities
• Experience managing client budgets, scope, and account profitability
• Excellent writing, editing, strategic thinking, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability, sound judgment, and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Commercial awareness and active interest in agency growth, new business, and client development
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, social media platforms, and digital collaboration tools
• Experience with PR, analytics, and media intelligence platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, TrendKite, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Factiva, LexisNexis, or similar tools
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications, research, and productivity tools strongly preferred
• Experience leading or supporting crisis communications and reputation management initiatives
• Ability to work flexible hours during high-priority client situations when needed

 

Characteristics of Success

Successful Assistant Vice Presidents are:

• Strategic and intellectually curious thinkers
• Senior communicators and skilled storytellers
• Trusted client advisors with excellent judgment under pressure
• Proactive relationship builders, networkers, and new business contributors
• Strong people managers who develop the talent around them
• Commercially minded owners of account health and profitability
• Adaptable professionals who thrive in dynamic environments
• Digitally fluent with a strong understanding of evolving communications technologies and AI tools
• Committed to continuous learning, innovation, and professional growth

 

Featured benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance (Horizon BCBS, Guardian/VSP)
• Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) on select medical plans
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D coverage
• ESOP — employee stock ownership, fully funded by JConnelly, no cost to you
• 401(k) with company match (traditional & Roth options)
• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter FSAs
• Supplemental coverage through Aflac (disability, critical illness, and more)
• Free 24/7 healthcare navigation through Health Advocate
• Virtual vet consultations through Petzey