Vice President

Position Overview

As a member of WEST’s Leadership Team, the Vice President position drives WEST's growth through strategic business development, exceptional client relationships, enhanced service capabilities, and talent development.

Vice Presidents partner with clients to build trusted, long-term relationships and develop comprehensive account plans that ensure positive outcomes while empowering their teams to exceed expectations. They take ownership of client strategies and deliverables, ensuring clarity and alignment between clients and WEST teams throughout every engagement.

This role is accountable for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, managing project pipelines, and expanding existing client partnerships. Vice Presidents champion the professional growth of their team members while fostering a workplace culture rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. They provide consistent leadership through weekly check-ins, periodic performance reviews, and ongoing coaching and development.

Primary Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Service Excellence

• Oversee a portfolio of the firm's client relationships with ultimate accountability for results generation and overall engagement success
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to client executives on their most critical communications challenges
• Develop and implement comprehensive account strategies that ensure positive client outcomes and position teams to exceed expectations
• Ensure all client strategies, work products, and deliverables are clearly understood and effectively executed by both clients and WEST teams
• Maintain high-level, sustained relationships with priority media and key stakeholders that benefit the firm's entire client portfolio

Revenue & Business Development

• Drive significant revenue growth through new business development, client acquisition, and the development of strategic partnerships
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities that align with the firm's strategic direction
• Participate in the development of compelling business development materials, proposals, and pitches
• Cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and business development throughout the firm
• Expand existing client relationships through strategic contract renewals and scope expansions

Leadership & Talent Development

• Provide direct people management to associates, strategists, senior strategists, and directors, including training, development, capacity building, and day-to-day support
• Champion professional growth through structured coaching, weekly check-ins, periodic performance reviews, and ongoing development opportunities

• Model WEST's core values of respect, collaboration, integrity, determination, and humanity and ensure they are embedded in all policies, practices, and strategic decisions

• Set standards for professional excellence and inspire high performance across teams

Strategic Firm Contribution

• Shape agency positioning, culture, and long-term growth strategy as an active member of the leadership team
• Participate in strategic decision-making that positions the firm for sustainable competitive advantage
• Cultivate organizational capabilities that attract and retain exceptional talent
• Represent the firm as a primary external voice to media, partner organizations, potential clients, and industry associations
• Contribute to firm-wide systems, processes, and continuous learning initiatives

Required Competencies

Behavioral Competencies

• Communication: Articulates organizational mission, vision, and values; creates a communication-centered culture; develops next-generation leaders; serves as primary external representative
• Collaboration: Cultivates an organizational culture that attracts top talent; maintains strategic industry relationships; fosters cross-functional innovation
• Business Development: Actively pursues and lands new business; cultivates strategic partnerships; creates thought leadership platform
• Leadership: Creates a high-performance culture; participates in strategic decision-making; models responsible, respectful behaviors; serves as strategic partner to senior executives
• Strategic Thinking: Contributes to a long-term vision for competitive advantage; anticipates industry disruption; proposes strategic investments in capabilities and talent
• Values in Action: Champions WEST's values throughout the organization; mentors leaders in values-driven leadership; serves as guardian of organizational culture

Technical Skills

• Advanced expertise in all communications disciplines including writing, media relations, social media strategy, and account management
• Proven ability to develop and execute complex communications strategies with measurable results
• Demonstrated success in business development, client acquisition, and revenue generation
• Strong people management and leadership development capabilities
• Strategic planning and organizational development expertise

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in communications, public relations, or related field with progressive leadership responsibility
• Proven track record of managing high-value client relationships and delivering exceptional results
• Demonstrated success in business development and revenue generation
• Strong leadership and people management experience
• Excellence in strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Commitment to WEST's values of respect, collaboration, integrity, determination, and humanity

Compensation

This position is in Washington, D.C. WEST employees are currently working a hybrid schedule with three days in the office and two working remotely. This role offers a competitive base salary ranging from $135,000 to $150,000, with the opportunity to earn significant bonuses. The average total compensation for this position often exceeds $200,000, inclusive of individual, firm wide, and business development bonuses. Benefits include health, dental, long-term disability, short-term disability, paid parental leave and a 401k plan with an employer contribution.