Strategic Communications Practice Leader

Summary

Join Raftelis as their Strategic Communications Practice Leader and spearhead communication efforts for their local government and utility clients. This pivotal role involves shaping brand narratives, driving stakeholder engagement, and ensuring messaging alignment. You will develop and execute innovative communication strategies, contributing to business development through indirect and direct marketing. As a member of the Organizational Excellence Leadership Team, you will lead and manage a team of communications professionals, providing guidance and mentorship. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills, along with extensive experience in the public sector and business development. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact on a growing organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (public relations, communications, political science, journalism, marketing, business, environmental science, or other related fields)
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, with 5+ years of experience leading a team
• Accreditation in public relations/communications
• Experience in public sector and/or local government
• Experience in business development
• Extensive network that would diversify our client base
• Exceptional communication skills including writing, public speaking, and meeting facilitation
• Comfortable working remotely and connecting with clients and direct reports using a variety of virtual tools and software
• Proven experience using various public participation and engagement techniques
• Experience managing the execution of traditional and social media and digital marketing
• Diligent, enthusiastic, team-player
• Positive attitude, entrepreneurial, customer service oriented
• Willingness to travel overnight (this role requires approximately 25% travel)

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the growth of the Strategic Communications practice within Raftelis by leading business development activities such as networking and research to expand the portfolio of our business and maintain a current knowledge base of opportunities
• Lead and manage the Strategic Communication team in the development and execution of communication and outreach strategies and tactics that solve our client’s most pressing needs. This includes directing market research, program assessments, communication planning, community engagement, traditional and social media relations, public participation techniques, risk and crisis communications, presentations, fact sheets, and more
• Manage content for client deliverables and for internal and external marketing efforts
• Oversee the preparation of proposals and presentations
• Approve the production of communications materials
• Direct community outreach efforts and public meeting facilitation
• Contribute to the firm’s continued success by actively engaging in both the utility and public sector to build your personal reputation and Raftelis’ reputation as a trusted expert in your field
• Maintain effective, professional attributes while working with clients and colleagues
• Develop and maintain a keen understanding of market trends affecting clients and advise your team to make appropriate recommendations based on them
• Provide guidance to your direct reports with crisis and risk communications advice, issue management services, and brand/reputation counsel
• Oversee corporate communications as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consulting
• Formal training and/or certification in public participation (IAP2)

Benefits

• 100% Company paid medical (50% paid dependent medical) and dental benefits
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vision Insurance
• Company paid Life and Disability Insurance and Employee Assistance Program
• Discretionary paid time off program and education reimbursement program
• 401(k) with company contributions
• Long term care benefits
• Pet insurance
• Competitive compensation
• Generous bonus structure