Vice President, Higher Education Public Relations

ABOUT ORCHESTRA 

Orchestra is a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world. From decoding audiences to designing bold strategies, Orchestra integrates people, platforms, and stories that stick to help clients build lasting influence. The company offers programs that span from the highest level strategic business counsel through to tactical execution. Orchestra brings together 700+ people with experience across consumer and lifestyle, technology, nonprofit and philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and more. Made up of leading firms BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals, and Versus Media Group, a strategy-first political media team. Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.

People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THE HIGHER EDUCATION TEAM

The Higher Education team brings deep expertise in guiding colleges, universities and academic institutions through today’s complex communications landscape. Our work spans paid, earned, social, content and crisis communications, giving us the ability to deliver fully integrated, cross-channel strategies that drive impact.

We partner with leading institutions spanning the Ivy League, elite R1 research universities and flagship public university systems, helping them elevate their voices, protect their reputations and engage key audiences in a competitive and fast-changing higher education environment. 

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We are seeking an experienced strategic communicator to join our growing Higher Education team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in PR with a proven track record of creating and driving strategy, managing campaigns and promoting programs that drive media coverage. They should excel at managing multiple clients and work streams, thrive in a fast-paced environment and bring a strategic mindset that helps drive innovative, results-driven PR campaigns. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who carries a passion for higher education and the role it plays in society, in elevating the stories of colleges, universities and other corollary organizations and in leading on client work to achieve and advance their goals and initiatives. 

Role location:  This role is available in our New York City, NY and Washington, DC offices on a hybrid basis. We will also consider candidates based in other Orchestra office locations or remote candidates.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a Vice President on the Higher Education team, you will…

• Lead strategic conversations and advance the communications strategy for multiple high-profile client accounts to deliver top-notch results for our clients
• Develop and oversee integrated campaigns that leverage public affairs, media and digital tactics to reach key audiences and achieve client goals
• Directly manage and mentor staff and provide overall strategic direction and feedback for their development and client work 
• Hold the pen on drafting high level materials including strategy decks, communications plans, messaging and op-eds
• Collaborate closely with the management team to develop and inspire our team of strategists to be innovative and creative
• Help our practice win new business and proactively expand our relationships by leveraging your existing network and identifying new opportunities

Essential skills:

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience in communications: PR agency or in-house for higher education institutions, companies, nonprofits media or journalism
• Is an avid consumer of news, with a strong news sense and knowledge of the media and experience engaging and maintaining strong relationships with key reporters covering the top issues of the day
• Experience engaging with media for both rapid response and long-lead stories
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Experience managing, prepping and staffing high-touch principals or organizational leaders
• Ability to multi-task easily, including handling multiple assignments at once, working quickly and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment while paying close attention to details
• Enjoys managing people and has experience in successfully motivating, leading and mentoring a diverse team to meet objectives

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Salary range (commensurate with experience and skills): $130,000-$150,000

Vice Presidents are eligible for end of year bonuses based on firm, team and individual performance

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