Vice President (San Francisco)
Job description
We’re seeking a full-time vice president who can join our growing team (we’ve been on a hiring spree in the last couple of months). The ideal candidate is someone who is excited to play a central role in our growth, by finding new and creative ways for us to build the agency. The candidate is someone who sees the big picture but also sweats the details – and who values a work environment built upon initiative, teamwork, grit and inclusivity. This role will report to and collaborate closely with the founder to continue to maintain our exceptional client service, cultivate our culture, manage and mentor teammates, build Gravitate s own agency profile, and identify and spearhead organic/new business opportunities. The position requires working from our San Francisco office. (Due to COVID-19, Gravitate PR staff are all working remotely, but will eventually plan for flexible work options).
Job responsibilities
- Serve as the strategic advisor to multiple clients, lead client meetings and planning sessions, lead internal account team strategy and oversee execution of communications strategies
- Proactively generate ideas and opportunities to meet/exceed client objectives, anticipate client needs and prepare in advance, and ensure that all accounts consistently demonstrate our value
- Maintain a thorough understanding of clients’ businesses, competitors and industries, actively follow and understand key issues, trends and news stories affecting each client and how they impact their business/ marketing goals and initiatives
- Lead integrated marketing communications discussions, with a clear knowledge of how initiatives such as media relations, analyst relations, content marketing, social media, influencer marketing and SEO work in tandem
- Facilitate media interviews, lead media and presentation training for clients
- Generate client thought leadership opportunities, showcase clear understanding of relevant publications, and maintain relationships with top tier media
- Review staff utilization against client budgets, ensuring account profitability each month and maintaining high client satisfaction; find strategic and creative opportunities to organically grow existing clients
- Manage, mentor and motivate junior staff, overseeing appraisals and career development opportunities
- Lead new business development opportunities – including identifying leads, spearheading prospect discussions, and working with agency resources to craft proposals and secure new business
- Lead initiatives to drive greater agency visibility and thought leadership via external company promotion through articles, presentations, etc.
Requirements
- Full-time experience either in a public relations agency or in an in- house corporate communications role in a startup
- Experience working with early-stage and late venture startups – whether that s launching brand out of stealth, repositioning/pivoting a company, or accelerating a brand to unicorn valuation
- Deep expertise working with and a passion for enterprise technology brands
- Superior oral and written communication skills, including advanced editing abilities
- Track record of leading and winning organic or new business opportunities, including cultivating strong client relationships
- Strong understanding and proficiency in integrated marketing initiatives – including but not limited to analyst relations, content marketing, influencer marketing and digital media
- Experience managing and mentoring junior staffers, including conducting appraisals, and setting clear goals to guide each valued teammate s contributions, and effectively training/retaining staff
- Proven track record for providing and selling in highly strategic campaigns or initiatives to clients