Public Relations - Assistant Vice President: Crisis Communications

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 ini