Junior Strategist

Associate 

Weber Shandwick’s Global Crisis team 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  

As an Associate, you will have the unique opportunity to help drive communications around these challenging and exciting projects. You will be a day-to-day leader among the team’s Associate-level staff, working directly with senior leadership to help drive research, develop materials, staff projects, scope work, manage vendors, track budget and balance multiple shifting priorities in real-time. The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills and the ability to perform in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. You will be intimately familiar with current events and news trends and be able to translate that knowledge into actionable insights for clients. This extends to social and digital communications: you must have true analytical fluency in this area. A strong academic record is necessary, and experience in issues management is a bonus – but candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

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   

• Serves as key team member to support a range of complex, high-profile corporate issues /crisis communications situations (i.e., cybersecurity issues, product safety issues and recalls, mergers and acquisitions, executive leadership changes, IPOs etc.)  
• Supports development of press releases, crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations and other deliverables as needed; 
• Supports monitoring and triaging of client issues  
• Conducts pressing research on a wide range of issues, review and prepare executive summaries and/or analyses detailing clear and concise findings, distill complex and substantial amounts of information into concise summaries and insights; begin to propose strategic and actionable recommendations  

• Provides input during development of projects based on insights and knowledge of client preferences  
• Prepares for and takes part in client meetings, including accurately capturing notes, agenda action items, call recaps, updating trackers, timelines and status documents 
• Serves as role model to team members, producing high quality work and continually updating manager on activity progress 
• Actively builds own knowledge, contributes to inclusive team culture and consistently displays behaviors that support integration 
• Participates in our A-Team’s On-Duty rotational schedule covering evening and weekend hours, to handle critical client reports, ad-hoc research, and support emergent crises. 

 What We Are Looking For  

• Strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail 
• Strong understanding of social analytics 
• Full analytical fluency in all social/digital platforms 
• Crisis communications, issues management, and/or public affairs experience 
• Sharp curiosity and an analytical mind   

• Ability to provide strategic and actionable recommendations based on research 
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills  
• Familiarity with corporate financials 
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage deadlines in a consistent manner 
• Resourceful, effective problem solver 

• Comfortable asking for help from and providing direction to team members 
• Ability to take ownership, manage and see projects through from start to finish  
• Proactive self-starter and a quick learner 
• Strong work ethic 

Basic Qualifications 

• 1-3 years of professional experience: in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political campaign or organization, law or similar setting 
• BA or BS, preferably in Political Science, history, journalism, International Relations or similar fields -Knowledge of basic PR skills and client service  
• Fluent in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and proficiency in research, media and social monitoring platforms (e.g., Brandwatch, Sysomos, Cision, Muckrack, TV Eyes, Critical Mention, Lexis-Nexis) 

NYC Salary range: $52,000 – $60,000

Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick 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 status.

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The Weber Shandwick Toronto Office is seeking a Vice President, Corporate & Issues.

What we are seeking:

We are looking for a change agent to help us grow our C-Suite Group and support a wide array of high-profile clients with corporate reputation, crisis preparedness and live crisis and issues counsel and support.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in brand and reputation building communications, managing executive visibility, media strategy, crisis communications and issues management. The candidate will have the opportunity to drive a broad range of corporate reputation campaigns across a variety of clients, while leading a team of practitioners and collaborating with Weber Shandwick’s network to develop strategic and creative client work. Previous agency experience is desired and you will have worked with clients across multiple industries

You will play an important role on our team, leading a broad range of projects and developing new business opportunities. You will be an emerging leader on the team and help mentor and grow the skill sets of emerging talent in our practice. You should be sharp strategist, have strong writing skills, be social and digital analytics savvy, and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. You can marshal teams and resources effectively and quickly and are entrepreneurial.

Our team:

The Weber Shandwick C-Suite Advisory team focuses on: Organizational Preparedness, Response, and Resiliency; Social Impact, ESG, & DE&I; Enterprise & Executive Leadership Strategy (incl. Geopolitical, Public Diplomacy, Public Health); Organizational Transformation & Employee Engagement; Corporate Marketing; Capital Market Insights and Financial Communications. It also collaborates closely with Weber-Shandwick teams and other parts of The Weber Shandwick Collective.  The nature of our work requires an ability and eagerness to juggle multiple responsibilities and work with multi-office teams. You will have the opportunity to play a leading role in launching a new advisory business and the growth and expansion of this team and offering.

What you will be doing: 

Client Support:

• Develop and grow positive relationships with clients, maintaining the company’s reputation in terms of delivery and quality
• Provide strategic counsel to clients where possible, being able to assess problems and define logical and effective solutions for clients 
• Lead the delivery of high-profile accounts across multiple markets
• Brief and inform account teams. Communicate expectations/goals to the team on an ongoing basis, helping to keep the team motivated by communicating clear tasks and actions
• Work successfully with partner agencies as part of a client integrated agency team, both internally at WS and externally
• Work effectively with finance colleagues to deliver accurate quotations for all client projects or new business work
• Write well-structured, persuasive content and help train other team colleagues to do the same
• Contribute innovative ideas for the client and new business work, inspiring ideation amongst team members
• Lead and support a range of issues and crisis communications situations for companies and organizations, including brand safety, product safety issues and recalls, adverse events, pricing and access issues, workplace culture, litigation, regulatory compliance issues, misinformation campaigns, DEI-related matters, investigative reporting, and more
• Develop and draft crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations and other deliverables as needed
• Oversee and execute proactive media outreach and reactive media relations strategies in connection with issues and crisis management strategies as needed
• Provide regular counsel to clients and colleagues
• Keep client programs on schedule and ensure all deadlines are met within budget parameters
• Provide media and crisis training to clients
• Develop and deliver client presentations

New Business and Marketing:

• Help drive the growth of the C-Suite Group overall
• Participate in new business development for the team and collaborate among practice areas at the agency in support of broader new business pitches

Team Management:

• Take an active role in helping manage the team and problem solve
• Work with peers to further the mission, goals and culture of the C-Suite Group and the agency
• Promote team cooperation by actively seeking the opinions and views of team members of all levels
• Train and motivate emerging talent and help create opportunities for their growth

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and/or 8-10 years of relevant experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political office, or corporate PR background desired.
• Agency experience (preferred)
• Experience directly counseling clients/senior ranking executives through a broad range of crises, issues and special situations
• Skilled crisis and issues media relations strategist and practitioner with top-tier media relations experience
• Experience working on Corporate reputation campaigns across industries
• You are both a creative and a strategic thinker, and a natural team leader
• Familiarity with the latest digital trends in social media strategy, tools, and analytics
• Experience with corporate reputation, brand safety/protection through integrated communications programs
• Thrives under pressure and can handle multiple projects in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment
• Exercises exceptional judgment when working with clients, colleagues 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

The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• RRSP (with employer match)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Juice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) – $50 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• MyDays – Flexible time off
• Short-Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave Policy

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

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Manager, Strategy & Planning

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses, and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications.  Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com

About Weber Shandwick in Switzerland

With offices in Geneva, Weber Shandwick Switzerland acts as an International Hub within the broader Weber Shandwick network. We provide strategic counsel and integrated campaign development for the global or regional headquarters of major multinational companies, and Swiss companies with global aspirations. We are uniquely positioned as the only pan-regional and globally focused agency in the market that provides international consulting. Thanks to our unique perspective that comes from being based in a truly international city, and our access to a diverse and international talent base, we are a strong hub for our EMEA business.

A snapshot of the role

We are looking for a mid-level Strategist with a communications or creative agency background to join our Strategic Planning team in Geneva. Reporting to the Head of Strategy, the successful candidate will support the development of insight-based creative ideas and impactful campaigns to support our brand and clients’ communications and business objectives, through integrated communications, including earned, owned and paid.

In this role, you will be involved in all elements of strategy including creating and analyzing data and market trends, shaping market research, developing strategy, solving brand challenges and working closely with creative teams to develop creative ideas. The successful candidate will partner with the wider team, including specialists from analytics, creative, design, production, integrated media and client experience to develop and deliver impactful client solutions. You will play a key role in supporting both new business pitches, organic growth opportunities, and existing client work.

The position is based in Weber Shandwick’s Geneva office working in a multi-disciplinary 30+ team that includes experts in integrated media, content, analytics, and strategy. We are looking for an exceptional candidate who considers him/herself to be a self-starter, approaches life with curiosity, has a strong desire to learn, is solution-focused and has a commitment to delivering the highest quality work.

What will you be doing?

• Writing creative proposals to inspire clients and stakeholders.
• Contributing to the strategy development from ideation through to execution.
• Providing thorough interpretation of insights from research findings and presenting audience trends.
• Responsible for identifying various sources of information & insight appropriate to a client problem – whether existing research, behaviour change data, relevant case studies or social listening.
• Creating messaging frameworks and content territories /pillars, as well as influencing overarching campaign and channel strategies.

Who are you?

• Previous experience in marketing/communications strategy and planning ideally within a strategy department or communications agency.
• Experience working with multi-national companies and global brands.
• Fluent in English with strong verbal and written presentation and storytelling skills.
• A strong communicator who knows how to handle clients with experience pitching new business.
• Good level of comfort with research techniques and resources to unearth meaningful insights.
• An analytic and solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Naturally curious, a passion for creativity, a knack for abstract thinking, and experience in spotting and applying trends.
• A team player with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and strong interpersonal skills.
• Have the right to live and work in Switzerland – international relocation is not offered.
• Optional: knowledge of the healthcare sector would be appreciated.

We are a global company, so we offer the advantages of a big firm – leading-edge research, sophisticated technology, the resources to invest in growth.  But we still have the spirit of a small firm – entrepreneurial, ambitious, fun.  We are known for our imaginative and powerful campaigns, innovative solutions, great client relations, collaboration, and teamwork – and our success comes down to our amazing people. We look for original thinkers, who are passionate about communications, and have a point of view, those who are constantly curious, deliver to a high standard and are keen to contribute to our success.  We look forward to hearing from you.