Vice President Of Higher Education

Job Description

Vice President of Higher Education

Are you looking for a collaborative team of creative, strategic thinkers to work with?

Do you thrive in a leadership role?

Are you naturally curious, have media connections and plan media strategies that work?

If you answered yes, let's talk.

Finn Partners' Higher Education practice works with a broad range of colleges, universities, corporations, foundations and other nonprofits raising awareness of the impactful work of these organizations. We are a supportive team with a proven record of success.

This VP role is a full-time position. Preference is for candidates in the Washington, DC area where the business unit is primarily headquartered. However, other geographic areas can work (see www.finnpartners.com website for Finn Partners USA office locations).

Responsibilities:
• This position in Finn Partners' Higher Education practice provides an opportunity to work with colleges and universities across the country, their leadership and faculty through integrated communications. Additionally, the practice helps ed tech companies, corporations, foundations and other nonprofits with positioning and awareness of their higher education offerings.
• The VP will lead various account teams, contribute to others and work to exceed clients' goals.
• Maintain clear and consistent communications; provide proper direction and counsel; and offer solutions to clients and team members on those accounts.
• Develop and grow senior client relationships and work to develop new business.
• Build thought leadership platforms for higher education leadership, including developing narratives, booking speaking engagements, generating top-tier earned media; and securing media attention for faculty experts.
• Develop and review press materials, including but not limited to news releases, media advisories, key messages, Q&As, and content for leadership (e.g., LinkedIn or institutional blog posts).
• Develop overall communications strategies for clients; manage profitability and financial aspects of accounts.
• Utilize existing media contacts and establish new ones to secure consistent media coverage across a wide range of broadcast, print, online, podcast and trade outlets.
• Maintain solid understanding of higher education landscape and the disciplines/issue areas covered by faculty.
• Generate new business opportunities and secure new higher education clients; lead in the development of new business proposals and participate in new business presentations; develop RFPs that showcase our unique capabilities and proven results.
• Lead client-specific internal teams and drive their growth; provide proper feedback and guidance; motivate to be creative and achieve excellent results.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree required
• 6 to 10 years Higher Education PR experience
• Crisis experience a plus
• Proven history of leading a team and driving results
• Exceptional media relations with many top-tier national and trade outlets; proven history of media placements and established contacts
• Ability to develop and execute successful media relations programs
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Strong communications skills, project management capabilities and proven problem-solving ability
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet all deadlines
• Effectively work as part of a team, share information freely and support the common goals of the group. A true team player.
• Detail-oriented, organized, hardworking, flexible, thorough

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To Apply:

Please upload your resume, upload your cover letter detailing your leadership experience in public relations agencies / Higher Education practices, and indicate your desired salary in $USD.

About Finn Partners:

Finn Partners was launched in late 2011 to realize Peter Finn's vision to create a leading communications agency dedicated to shaping a bold new future in which innovation and partnership are strong drivers of the brand. Finn Partners specializes in the full spectrum of communications services, including digital and social media. Specialty areas include technology, consumer, education, travel & lifestyle, CSR, arts, health, and public and corporate affairs.

Finn Partners was named ''Best Midsize Agency'' in 2020 and in 2015, ''Best Agency to Work For'' in 2013 and ''Best New Agency'' in 2012 by the industry's Holmes Report. Headquartered in New York City, the company has over 500 employees, with offices in Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Jerusalem, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Nashville, Paris, San Francisco and Washington DC, and has additional international capabilities through its own global network and PROI Worldwide. Find us at www.finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter @finnpartners. While we appreciate the interest of all candidates, we will only respond to those with whom we have a greater interest

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d999v9-3-134-81-206-42 in your application.