Vice President –
PUBLIC RELATIONS

Full-time
Degree in Marketing Communications, Public Relations Journalism or Public Affairs
8+ Years experience
Must have public relations agency experience
Preferred APR credentialed
$115,000-$130,000 DOE
Seattle, WA

Fearey, the Pacific Northwest’s most established independent public relations and public affairs firm, is seeking to hire a Vice President to lead teams to deliver excellent account management services for a range of clients in the company’s roster that includes health care, consumer, nonprofit, hospitality, legal and real estate industries.

Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, hungry and humble, and have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. The right person will have 8-10 years of relevant PR experience, including media relations, social media and project management skills. Agency experience is required.

As a Vice President, the individual will be expected to have mastered client strategy, account management and staff management. The individual will be able to effectively contribute to strategy and long-term planning of clients, as well as be active in the Fearey sales process. Emphasis in the position will be placed on leadership, mentorship and growing staff, as well as positive contributions to the overall Fearey culture.

The individual should possess the ability to hit the ground running in a fast-paced environment and consistently deliver high-quality results. The candidate should demonstrate a high level of personal initiative, integrity and responsibility. Fearey recognizes individuals with drive, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Qualifications

At least 7 years managing account teams, building client relationships and creating/executing strategic communications plans
Oversees strategy and demonstrate advanced client relations skills, including a successful client attraction, retention and expansion record
Demonstrated experience in managing multiple complex accounts in various industry sectors
Demonstrated experience in a specific sector of public relations is preferred, but not a must. This could be in any of the firm’s sectors: real estate, consumer and lifestyle, health and life science, professional services, government, etc.
Seasoned communicator with in-depth understanding of full-service public relations, social media, crisis communication, public affairs, integrated communications and issues management
Demonstrated excellence in superb client service
Ability to serve as spokesperson, if/when necessary
Positive and professional attitude and demeanor that lends itself to quality client service and team building
Excellent written and verbal skills, strong account management skills, excellent attention to detail
Strong presentation skills
Ability to craft strategy for new business presentations
Strong ability to manage multiple ongoing tasks in a fast-paced environment
Strategic thinker with the ability to interpret research, formulate full-service communications plans or programs
Strong written and verbal skills with knowledge of AP style
Candidate must have an engaged social media persona
Self-starter – ability to work well alone and with others
Critical thinker

Responsibilities

Account Management

Establishes key account relationships and ensures they are being managed properly with the right client attraction, retention and expansion program
Exceptional client service record with ability to counsel and interact effectively with senior management at client organizations
Oversight of Fearey financial management in coordination with CEO and Administrative Director
Support client retention and new business growth with consistent 360 check-ins with client contacts

Internal Management

Oversee visioning, strategy, and long-term planning for a division or two, an office location or service area
Maintain an awareness of the overall financial workings of the team/division while actively pursuing ways to increase productivity and overall Fearey profitability
Serves as the primary point person for a long-term Fearey revenue-generating initiative identified as “highly important” by the firm’s leadership
Have a strong track record of recruiting, managing and retaining talented staff – manages staff, including successfully hiring and retaining staff, overseeing their professional development and professional success
Design and spearhead specific ideas, projects and activities that lead to the overall improvement of the company culture and advance agency growth
Works with CEO/President and Leadership Team to formulate and administrate organizational policies
Constantly explores ways to bring in new technologies into the firm
Serves as member of division leads team, overseeing management of firm structure and management of staff
Analyzes activities, costs, operations and forecasts data to determine division or department progress toward stated goals and objectives
Oversees and approves budget planning and sales forecasting, and prepares reports for management, as requested
Defines and conveys vision and values of Fearey
Helps employees achieve the best possible job relationships with the agency as well as its clients and assists in the development of a career pathway at the firm for each employee he/she oversees
Foster a culture of creativity by leading by example, motivating colleagues to develop pioneering approaches to client services and communications programs, etc.

Media Relations

Provides strategic direction for media materials and outreach, social media and integrated communications efforts
Oversees strategic media relations campaigns for client accounts
Maintains top-tier media contacts, as relevant for core client base
Integral in crisis management for clients

Social and Digital Media

Demonstrates ability to oversee effective social media monitoring and measurement to uncover both business and communication insights and opportunities
Understands the latest and greatest tools and how best to use them in our daily work
Provides oversight and strategic direction for integrated social and digital media campaigns

Business Development

Actively leads the sales process, resulting in the closure of new business for the division he/she oversees
Reviews the market position of competing products, services and organizations and evaluates their marketing and sales techniques
Provides strategic direction for Fearey marketing activities and committees
Confers with management to determine sales objectives and policies to achieve organization goals
Develops, coordinates and executes department sales objectives, strategies, advertising and promotional programs to gain market share
May represent company at industry association meetings and trade shows to promote company and division
Build new business including identifying and pursuing new business prospects, developing proposals and presenting to leads
Regularly recommend and represent Fearey via speaking engagements, conferences, webinars, articles, blogs, social media, etc.
Actively develop new business opportunities and participate in the sales process via Fearey’s marketing activities and a personal, groomed network – must be able to bring in business on own accord

What we're looking for

Comfortable and confident talking to leaders, executives and ambassadors online and offline
Solutions-focused and driven by results
Excellent communication skills: solid grammar, ability to write concisely, great on the phone!
Someone who puts their team first!

Benefits

Fearey offers an extensive benefits package to employees that includes the following:

100% paid base premium for employee’s medical, dental and vision coverage
Five percent commission on all new business accounts identified by the candidate and awarded to the firm
Annual four weeks of paid time off (prorated to start date)
Minimum of nine paid holidays per year
Tech/home office reimbursement
401(k) plan with match on employee contributions, no waiting period
Monthly Wellness reimbursement
Annual professional development reimbursement
Short-Term Disability Plan
Supplemental Family Leave and Supplemental Short-term Disability Policies

Physical Demands

Sit for long periods of time
Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
Repeat the same movements
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness
Lift up to 25 lbs

Fearey does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

ABOUT FEAREY

Fearey is the most established independent public relations, public affairs and digital media firm in the Pacific Northwest. For over 44 years, the full-service integrated communications agency has provided professional services for some of the region’s leading public, private and nonprofit organizations. Founded in 1981 by legendary PR icon Pat Fearey, the firm was built to push boundaries, test the status quo, and to do amazing things. The firm is a founding member of the Public Relations Global Network (www.prgn.com), an international organization of leading independent, owner-operated PR agencies.

We strongly support employee involvement in the community through board appointments, non-profit involvement and civic participation.

Fearey consistently rewards individuals with drive, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our motto is “Fearless Thinking.”