Partner, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
Partner, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
Our client is a strategic advisory firm that combines primary research, stakeholder insights, and communications strategy to help organizations navigate complex business, reputational, and public affairs challenges.
The firm partners with leading organizations across sectors to develop messaging, shape narratives, understand stakeholders, and drive meaningful business outcomes. They are seeking a Partner to help expand the firm's market presence, lead high-impact client engagements, and contribute to the next stage of the organization's growth.
This individual will serve as a senior counselor to clients, leveraging qualitative and quantitative insights to inform communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, and public affairs initiatives.
Responsibilities
Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel
- Serve as a senior advisor to executive and C-suite clients on communications, public affairs, reputation, and stakeholder engagement challenges.
- Lead the development of messaging frameworks, narrative strategies, positioning, and communications recommendations informed by primary research.
- Guide clients through complex issues, helping translate stakeholder insights into actionable business and communications strategies.
- Present findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership teams and key decision-makers.
Research & Insight Development
- Oversee qualitative and quantitative research programs, ensuring findings are translated into clear business and communications recommendations.
- Partner with research teams to design and interpret stakeholder interviews, focus groups, message testing, audience research, and reputation studies.
- Connect research insights to communications, public affairs, corporate reputation, and business objectives.
- Ensure the firm continues to deliver insight-driven counsel rather than research for research's sake.
Business Development & Growth
- Develop and expand relationships with prospective and existing clients.
- Generate new business opportunities through personal networks, industry relationships, thought leadership, and market visibility.
- Lead proposal development, pitch presentations, and contract negotiations.
- Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, and research engagements.
- Contribute meaningfully to revenue growth and long-term business development efforts.
Practice Leadership
- Manage and mentor consultants, researchers, and client-facing team members.
- Foster collaboration across research, strategy, and client service functions.
- Participate in firm leadership discussions related to growth strategy, service offerings, talent development, and operational excellence.
- Contribute to the development of intellectual capital, methodologies, and thought leadership initiatives.
Qualifications
Required Experience
- 15+ years of experience within a communications agency, public affairs firm, strategic consultancy, research consultancy, or advisory organization.
- Experience advising senior executives and leadership teams on communications, reputation, stakeholder engagement, or public affairs initiatives.
- Deep familiarity with qualitative research methodologies, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, stakeholder interviews, message testing, and audience research.
- Experience translating research findings into messaging, narrative, positioning, and strategic recommendations.
- Demonstrated success generating new business and growing client relationships.
- Experience leading complex client engagements and managing senior-level stakeholder relationships.
- Proven track record leading teams and developing talent.
Preferred Experience
- Public affairs, corporate affairs, government affairs, policy communications, or reputation management experience.
- Experience owning or contributing to a P&L, business unit, or practice area.
- Background in healthcare, life sciences, biotechnology, financial services, technology, or regulated industries.
- Existing network of senior corporate, association, nonprofit, public affairs, or policy contacts.
FAQs
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