This position is based in California and works remotely from anywhere in the state. Previous agency experience is required.

Vice presidents set our bar for outstanding client service. They’re top strategists, motivators of teams, and client whisperers. They write messages that get traction, build communication plans that are smart and actionable, design campaigns that win, run accounts that get renewed, and train teammates to become top-notch communicators.

As leaders, they help make our workplace positive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and staff trust them to advocate on their behalf. They understand how the business runs and play their part in keeping us a healthy company and a great place to work. As a member of the senior team, a VP pursues new business, contributes to managing the firm, mentors and manages staff, and finds new ways for us to be the best communicators and social change strategists in the business.

A successful vice president shows proficiency across these areas:

• Lead effective client teams that generate results and high client satisfaction, have well-directed team members who perform well and feel valued, and come in on budget.
• Mentor and develop staff assigned to you, offering growth opportunities that advance their careers, retain top performers and help manage workflow effectively.
• Implement firm policies around recruiting, staffing, training and account management that result in top-notch client service as well as a positive work environment that rewards and retains staff.
• Successfully run multiple accounts at any given time.
• Identify new business opportunities, participate in new business pitches, create and land new business proposals and expand existing accounts.
• Develop and conduct well-evaluated capacity-building trainings on strategic communications planning, messaging, media relations, etc. and consistently receive excellent evaluation scores.
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture and address any issues proactively that are creating barriers to an optimal work environment for all staff.
• Serve as a member of the senior team, attending senior staff meetings, offering ideas, insights and recommendations on firm policies, staffing, client service, new business and other topics that ultimately improve the overall quality of the firm.

The ideal candidate for this role will be an entrepreneurial and thoughtful problem-solver who is dedicated to tackling some of the more pressing challenges of the social sector. They will be a thought leader for teams, a trusted advisor to clients, and see the potential for impact through helping clients achieve their communications vision. They will not shy away from challenging conversations, both within the firm and with clients, and have a desire to build a portfolio of high-impact work and a distinctive and leverageable area of knowledge. While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, a successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Passion for the mission

• Embodiment of the values and mission of Spitfire to inspire and motivate others to action.
• Implement firm policies around recruiting, staffing, training and account management that result in top-notch client service as well as a positive work environment.
• A strategic and enterprising mindset to lead with diversity, equity and inclusion values.
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture and a feeling of welcoming and belonging for all staff.

Strategic Communications Expert

• Leadership experience within strategic communications, such as campaign planning, message development, training, earned media strategies, digital organizing and outreach, and individual and organizational profile building.
• Track record of working with individuals and organizations to help them achieve greater impact in the communications and campaigns space with an EDI lens.
• Will be innovative, curious and experienced in establishing strong working relationships to further a client’s goals.
• Develop and conduct well-evaluated capacity-building training on strategic communications planning, messaging, media relations, etc.

Collaborator and Key Partner

• Lead effective client teams that generate results and high client satisfaction with well-directed team members who perform well and feel valued.
• Experience in collaborating within a team and with key partners.
• Identify new business opportunities, participate in new business pitches, create and land new business proposals and expand existing accounts.
• Enthusiastically represent the organization to existing and potential clients.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• Experience managing/leading teams, including mentoring and coaching more junior team members.
• Ability to inspire trust, to guide and facilitate complex discussions, and to move from ideas to action.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and the values of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Minimum of 10 years of public relations, communications, campaign, advocacy, public affairs or related experience; previous agency experience required.

The Vice President is a full-time, exempt employee. The starting salary range for this position is $145,000.00 to $160,000.00 per year, based on experience. Spitfire’s compensation package also includes Spitfire’s compensation package also includes 100% paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and 50% paid coverage for dependents. Employees receive life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, 15 paid holidays per year, and generous paid time off. Spitfire also offers paid family leave, paid sabbatical for long-term employees, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with a company match, and summer hours. The position will work remotely from California.

Spitfire Strategies is committed to maintaining and promoting a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels of the organization. We strive to build a work environment that stimulates positive change and more fully reflects the clients we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer. We recognize the importance of not viewing individuals based on a single identity, and we thrive on being equitable in our recruitment process as well as in our efforts to be inclusive of all employees.

Spitfire encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, veteran status, marital status, disability (including mental disabilities, learning disabilities and history of disabilities), genetic information, record of arrest or conviction or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are driven to pursue social justice, fight xenophobia, support an equitable society for all people and defend human rights, we encourage you to apply.

Send these three items by 5 p.m. PST on Friday, June 19, to jobs@spitfirestrategies.com, with the position title in the subject line:

• Resume.
• Cover letter. In your cover letter, please tell us about at least one time when you’ve sparked change.
• A brief writing sample, digital strategy memo, campaign strategy or other client-level deliverable (2–5 pages).

Prior to submitting your application, please review the salary range for this position in the Compensation section above. No phone calls, please.