VP Corporate

Vice President (VP)

Corporate Communications Practice – Geneva

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 corporate and healthcare hub for our EMEA business.

A snapshot of the role

Weber Shandwick is looking for a talented VP (Vice President) to join the Corporate Communications Practice team based in Geneva. The practice is made up of a smart, dedicated, and fun team members with expertise spanning, Strategic Counsel, Executive Profiling, Corporate Reputation, Corporate Affairs, Crisis/Issues Management, Geopolitics, Investor Relations, and Financial Communications.

This is an exciting role for an ambitious corporate affairs professional with company or agency background to become part of a multi-disciplinary team servicing clients and solving their issues across industries and disciplines, with a focus on corporate communications. The role will require successfully managing pan-European, and global programmes to engage audiences on behalf of our clients.

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 and has a strong desire to learn, is solution-focused and has a commitment to delivering the highest quality work.

The successful candidate will enjoy working on a portfolio of well-known global brands, executing integrated campaigns involving earned media, strategy, creative, analytics and digital. You’ll lead the day-to-day running of accounts, provide counsel, manage budgets, lead and inspire your team to deliver flawless execution of activities, and participate in the growth of the practice at the local, regional and international level.

What will you be doing?

• Being the senior team contact for clients, building and maintaining proactive and positive relationships.
• Provide high-level strategic counsel to clients, being able to proactively identify and assess problems, define logical and effective strategies, and implement solutions on their behalf
• Leading the development of communications plans
• Lead international and multi-disciplinary teams in the development of both over-arching strategy and creative campaign ideas
• Driving high-level team performance as well as supporting and guiding the team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality work within the stipulated timelines and budgets.
• Act as a facilitator, bringing in specialist practitioners within the practice and throughout the wider Geneva office to support in the delivery of integrated communications campaigns
• Lead market co-ordination for Swiss, international and global campaigns
• Oversee the flawless execution of media/campaign strategies of multiple accounts simultaneously
• Demonstrate proficiency in understanding communications and business goals, and the ability to link team efforts to these to demonstrate value and impact for clients
• Stay on top of industry news, trends and influencers in specific industries and be able to link these to your clients’ objectives
• Work effectively with finance colleagues to support the client lead in client budgeting and resource management, including forecasting, hours allocation for team members, project, and plan budgeting, managing servicing levels
• Lead in the development and presentation of new business pitches
• Help with the training and development of junior team members. Contribute to the growth and development of the team through mentoring and coaching.
• Participate in the growth of the practice at the local, regional, and international level.
• Proactively identifying new business – establishing opportunities for the organic growth of existing accounts, and securing new business by contributing to pitches
• Collaborate effectively with Weber Shandwick’s global network to ensure alignment and integration of strategies and activities.

Who are you?

• Significant previous experience in corporate communications and corporate affairs
• Track record and experience at VP level or equivalent in an agency environment or in-house corporate communications experience is essential.
• Experience of working on Pan-European and global communications programmes
• Experience in strategic communications, crisis management, financial communications, and reputation management is essential.
• Proven track record of managing and growing international client relationships.
• Excellent English writing proficiency – must be able to write content in native English for different audiences including consumer media, consumers, internal audiences etc.
• Native/bilingual in English
• A strategic and growth mindset for our clients’ businesses and a nose for hunting opportunities
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand and align with client business objectives.
• Self-starter who is good at finding solutions and is a great team player with a natural curiosity and instinctive creative flair.
• Collaborative and proactive mindset, focused on problem-solving.
• Experience working with multiple disciplines and specialists to deliver integrated campaigns
• Familiarity with quantitative analytics and an ability to set and evaluate campaign metrics
• Strong presentation skills and experience in new business pitching
• Experience with C-Suite audience
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience in managing and mentoring teams.
• Experience developing and managing campaigns and being a day-to-day lead for clients, with a track record of providing strategic counsel
• Collaborative and proactive mindset, focused on problem-solving
• Work permit: have the right to live and work in Switzerland – international relocation is not offered.
• Optional: knowledge of the healthcare sector would be appreciated