Crisis Communications Intern (Spring 2026)

Crisis & Issue Communications Account Director

Primary Location-United States-New York, New York  

The Weber Shandwick New York office is seeking an Account Director in New York to join its Global Crisis and Issues Practice.  

What we are seeking:  

We are looking for a change agent to help us grow our Global Crisis and Issues Practice and support a wide array of high-profile clients, crisis preparedness and live crisis/issues counsel and support. You should have crisis communications and issues management experience, preferably across multiple industries and across the spectrum of public and private companies. 

You will play an important role on our team, leading a broad range of projects, developing new business opportunities, and helping to mentor and grow the skill sets of emerging talent in our practice. You should be digital analytics-savvy, have strong writing skills and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Previous agency experience is a must. An additional plus: experience working in public affairs or media role.  

Our team:  

Our New York 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:   

• Support a range of issues and crisis communications situations for companies and organizations, including those related to, consumer behavior, geopolitical developments, brand safety, misinformation, product safety issues and recalls, workplace culture, litigation, regulatory compliance, natural disasters, DEI, cybersecurity attacks, investigative reporting, and more.  
• Serve as the day-to-day client contact – providing account support and counsel, flagging, triaging, and directly managing client issues as they arise.  
• Lead data-driven industry and topic analysis to inform business strategy and issues management approach, including leveraging AI, media monitoring and social analysis tools.
• Develop and draft crisis plans, media strategies, reactive media statements, talking points, FAQs, memos, crisis simulations and other deliverables as needed.   

• Train and motivate emerging talent and help create opportunities for their growth and development.
• Provide regular counsel to clients and colleagues and liaise with global partners to provide global market insights.

• Keep client programs on schedule and ensure all deadlines are met within budget parameters.  
• Participate in new business development for the team and collaborate among practice areas at the agency in support of broader new business pitches that include a crisis and issues component.  

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or 5+ years of relevant experience in an agency/strategic consulting firm, political campaign, or similar setting.  

• Experience directly counseling clients/senior ranking executives through a broad range of crises, issues and special situations.  

• Experience with corporate reputation, brand management and protection through integrated communications programs.  

• Expertise with the latest digital management, trends and strategy, tools, and analytics and ability to turn insights into actionable recommendations. 
• Familiarity with AI, next gen programs and data aggregation with large datasets to inform strategy.

• Thrives under pressure and can handle multiple projects in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment, including live crisis situations that may require significant working hours.  

• Exercises exceptional judgment when working with clients, team members, 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.  
• Experience delivering media and crisis training.
• Solid understanding of markets and issues affecting the financial and reputational well-being of companies 

About the Global Crisis and Issues Practice  

Weber Shandwick’s Global Crisis and Issues Practice helps leading organizations both manage breaking negative issues and events affecting reputation and develop the internal culture and infrastructure needed to anticipate, prepare and navigate them effectively. From cyberattacks, environmental protests, high-profile litigation and misinformation defense to sweeping product recalls, multinational bankruptcies and executive controversies, we live at the intersection of business, media, policy, culture and society.   

NYC Salary range: $115,000 – $135,000

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.

Weber Shandwick is looking for a dynamic Vice President to join our Consumer team in our New York office supporting iconic global consumer brands.

We Are Seeking:

We are looking for a driven, self-motivated and culturally fluent, Vice President to join our Consumer team, working across global lifestyle and CPG brands. As Vice President, you will be responsible for leading day-to-day business and spearheading high-profile, award-worthy, earned-driven integrated campaigns for some of our top client brands. This is a high-visibility leadership role in a fast-paced, integrated environment with cross-functional collaboration across channels and partners. You’ll work closely with clients, and integrated agency teams to deliver social-first, earned-led programs that drive engagement and buzz, while guiding a team of rising talent. 

What the Role Entails:

• Lead multi-channel campaigns with an emphasis on earned media, cultural storytelling, and social/digital engagement
• Collaborate within IATs, working alongside creative, paid media, influencer, and experiential partners
• Oversee campaign launches from start to finish inclusive of planning, event/activation production, management of talent partner(s), and development of media materials and social briefs
• Ability to turn ideas into workable plans and presentations via decks
• Build trusted relationships with senior clients, offering strategic POVs and counsel
• Ensure programs are rooted in insights and measured against KPIs
• Manage diverse internal teams and SMEs with clarity and organization
• Lead by providing mentorship, fostering growth and innovation

Who You Are:

• Must have a strong passion for lifestyle and beauty brands, with a sharp awareness of emerging cultural and consumer trends
• Proven experience executing successful campaigns that generated earned media, drove social engagement, and made a cultural impact
• An expert in navigating Integrated Agency Teams, juggling multiple workstreams, and managing multiple clients
• A strategic thinker with strong instincts for what drives earned media and social buzz
• Strong ability to remain nimble and counsel clients through conflict
• Aptitude for financial analysis
• Confident working with senior clients and leading large teams
• A natural leader with strong presentation skills who pays attention to detail
• Sharp writing skills and a creative mindset
• Commitment and dedication to the agency’s success as well as individual career

NYC Salary range: $125,000 – $165,000

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.

#LI-SK1

Weber Shandwick is seeking an Intern to work across major consumer clients. This Intern will work on iconic food & beverage and beauty brands that are household names. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), paid internship that will start in January 2026. This role is hybrid out of our NYC office.

The Essentials

• Thinking: Intellectual curiosity and creativity is a must
• Storytelling: Understand the elements that make a story exciting and how to highlight them in what you read in the press and what you see on social media
• Communication: Speak, write and edit succinctly and compellingly
• Management: Meet deadlines, put out fires and multi-task. Work fast, and work well
• Interpersonal: Play nice, whether it’s in a team, with a team or independently
• Technical: Know Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook. Media databases and social tracking tools are a bonus (examples: Cision, Muckrack)
• Detail-Oriented: Whether it’s a media list or a recap report, attention to detail and a commitment to delivering clear and precise work is essential
• Spark: Understand what sets you apart

What You Will Be Doing

• Research: Analyze brands using various resources, thoughtful and detailed research helps our bring ideas and plans to life
• Engage: Share big ideas in brainstorms and with teams
• Plan: Assist in event coordination and logistics 
• Create: Craft written communications including media materials, from briefing books to media pitches
• Hustle: Pitch stories to media, develop media lists, track placements, etc.
• Monitor: Track brands in traditional, online, and social media during some of their biggest PR moments of the year. Previous campaign reporting experience is a plus
• Organization: Organize and maintain product closet, check inventory, order product/shipping supplies
• Product send outs: Compile various product mailers and coordinate product shipments

What We Are Looking For

• Someone who has an interest in, and enthusiasm for public relations and consumer brands
• Able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced agency environment
• Strong writing skills and understanding of the media landscape
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills
• Go-getter and proactive mindset – you’re willing to go above and beyond your daily tasks
• A contributing member of the team

Requirements:

• The ideal candidate must be a college graduate by the start of the internship or have demonstrated transferrable skills
• Must be available to work 40 hours a week starting January

NYC Salary range: $20.00 – $20.00

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.

#LI-LC1