Associate Vice President (AVP)

CLYDE is a fast-paced, integrated communications and public affairs agency committed to delivering innovative, strategic, and visually compelling communications solutions for our diverse portfolio of clients. We work with clients who want to make a difference by moving the world forward – helping them do it through earned, owned, and paid media programs, creative solutions, and smarter, informed strategies. We are passionate about pushing the boundaries of design while staying grounded in strategy, brand integrity, and results.

We are seeking a talented and dynamic Associate Vice President to join our growing team and bring our Values to life.

The Associate Vice President should have 7-10 years of communications experience in communications agencies or in-house at a financial institution or fintech company, with experience leading projects and clients, departments, and managing people. Candidates should understand the financial market dynamics and regulatory environment, and be established as a voice for the financial services industry—consumer banking, fintech and/or insurance is preferred. The AVP will shape and support execution of strategies for a portfolio of clients. This person will empower team members to achieve outcomes for clients by leading entire account teams and serving as the primary point of contact for clients. They will develop strong personal and professional relationships with clients, advise on the design and implementation of creative strategies for key audiences (from consumers to opinion elites), and play an active role in shaping our team and firm. They will also lead business development efforts and proactively bring in new client opportunities.

Our Core Values:

• Be Better Than We Were Yesterday
• Our Clients’ Success Defines Ours
• Be The Blueprint
• Creativity is Our Idea of Fun
• We Want to Go Far, So We Go Together

What you will be doing:

• Play a critical role on 5+/- client teams, building relationships with clients, serving as a go-to resource for clients, and providing proactive integrated strategic communications advice and direction to achieve client goals
• Work closely with client and internal teams to develop sophisticated and creative integrated communications strategies—and be confident in shifting strategies to address emerging issues
• Proactively own a variety of projects and deliverables that achieve client goals while ensuring all client deadlines are met and quality of work is high 
• Actively look for ways to grow existing client business
• Collaborate with internal audience engagement  teams, including content, digital, and creative, to define the best integrated communications strategies to achieve our clients’ business objectives
• Oversee financial aspects of the client work, including SOW development, budget tracking, monthly reporting, monthly billing, client profitability, and team member utilization
• Confident standing up new client accounts, including developing the resources and tools needed to execute against SOW and achieve client goals
• Direct business development process for potential clients
• Manage two or more direct reports and guide their professional development
• Support CLYDE initiatives
• Make recommendations on how to drive organic growth for CLYDE clients

Position Expectations:

• Adheres to firm’s policies and procedures
• Ensures direct reports are adhering to firm policies and procedures
• Fierce commitment to, and respect for, a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Contributes to CLYDE visibility efforts and seeks out external opportunities for personal visibility (contributed articles, speaking opportunities, etc.)
• Taps own network to find business development connections
• Strong sense of EQ with internal team members and external clients and vendors
• Builds positive relationships with internal team members, across functions, and can inspire, lead, and motivate teams
• Excellent verbal communicator in 1:1, small group, and large group presentations
• Able to communicate around sensitive/challenging client issues
• Show initiative in suggesting improvements and solving problems
• Expert in time and project management 
• Mentor junior staff and participate in professional development opportunities for self
• Provide meaningful constructive feedback to senior leadership
• Give team members confidence to complete tasks
• Support hiring efforts

Qualifications/Required Skills:

Typically has 7-10 years of integrated communications experience. This leadership role helps shape and execute strategies for CLYDE clients. Oversees account teams or major projects, implementing creative and contemporary communications strategies to advance our clients’ goals through their target audiences. 

• Direct supervisor for 1-3 team members.
• Joins client calls both to lead and maintain quality control, and to provide strategic counsel or counsel around sensitive topics.
• Plays a critical role in account management and moving deliverables forward. Develops working relationships with clients and actively identifies opportunities to solve client problems and proactively advance ideas, even those for which the client hasn’t already asked.  Strongly collaborative with other team members and departments in bringing these opportunities to life.
• Anticipates client needs and has a deep understanding of their industry, their target audiences, and trends that impact them.
• Responsible for the overall client lead on overall business operations, including resourcing and budget stewardship.
• Play a meaningful role in the business development process. Understands outcomes over outputs, and can move from tactical execution to strategic development. 
• Plays a significant role in guiding the professional development of members on the account team. 

• Strongly focused on self-guided development.  Particularly oriented towards relevant industry/client trends and continuously works to understand contemporary communications strategies and activations.
• Possesses functional knowledge of AI and how it impacts communications
• 3+ years of management experience

• Has a strong working understanding of basic social media and digital communications best practices and experience working with best in class SaaS platforms
• Experience pitching media
• Comfortable learning and adopting new tech platforms

The salary range for this position is $88,300 - $127,200.