Vice President
APPLY NOWProof Strategies is Canada’s leading independent communications firm specializing in public relations, public affairs, government relations and marketing. What sets us apart is our strategy-led approach, our accountability to results, and our high bar of excellence in consulting and execution delivery. We lead with smart thinking, not ego. We are smart and hard working. Nice people and assertive. Our people are curious, diverse thinkers and collaborators. We are driven to ask better questions of ourselves and our clients because they lead to better solutions and outcomes.
Our culture is:
- Entrepreneurial and creative: Always leading the industry with innovation and new ideas.
- Respectful and empathetic: With each other and our partners and clients.
- Inclusive: Proof offers an open and inclusive workplace where everyone can feel safe, comfortable, and express themselves.
- Driven and responsive: Committed to excellence, always exceeding expectations.
- Collaborative and fun: Our greatest successes come when everyone works together.
What we’re looking for:
The Vice President leads the development and management of senior-level counsel to priority accounts with a goal of adding value and expanding mandates. The Vice President also provides leadership and growth to direct reports, mentoring peers at more junior levels, strategy and business development, modeling client excellence, achievement of profitability and utilization targets, and identifying agency marketing and reputation building opportunities.
Your responsibilities:
- Provides senior-level counsel to clients and hands on support to priority accounts and clients to add value and expand mandates.
- Leads, manages, and grows direct reports, as well as peers at more junior levels, when it comes to strategy and execution with a focus on excellence and profitability.
- Actively participates in recruitment and onboarding of new team members
- Collaborating with the firm’s senior leaders, support, help build, and modernize our practice capabilities and services to meet clients’ evolving needs.
- Create and execute a new business target and growth plan to contribute to new business growth and development by: 1) Networking and identifying opportunities to expand mandates with existing clients in collaboration with senior staff across sectors for organic business growth 2) Developing and nurturing strong relationships and trust building with long standing clients 3) Attracting and leading RFPs, new business proposals and pitches, often involving cross-functional teams across Proof offices 4) Monitoring the landscape and key stakeholders on behalf of clients, providing proactive counsel where required
- Create and steward relationships with key stakeholders, including networking and attending firm-related and external functions
- Ensure that exceptional client service, counsel, on-strategy results, and value are always delivered
- Oversee budgets, profitability, and staff utilization
- Create and participate in marketing and thought-leadership activities, including producing blogs and other content, speaking, media commentary and appearances and more.
- Monitor and evaluate new developments in industry and practice-area specific techniques and approaches, and where appropriate, adopt them into Proof’s array of services
- Contribute to the firm’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Carry out all other reasonable duties assigned by the company.
What you’ll bring:
Qualifications and Experience
- Completion of post-secondary education in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field is required
- A minimum of 10 years working in public relations, ideally including agency experience
- Demonstrated track record of leading organic and new business development.
- Knowledge of industry trends and current affairs.
- Proficiency with multiple languages is considered an asset
Skills
- Conducts themselves with professionalism and follows the Platinum Rule
- Curious: Asks better questions, and actively listens.
- Highly collaborative: This role will work across many Proof teams.
- Mentorship: We develop our people in positive ways, while building their skills and professional growth. This can include mentoring Proof colleagues in other groups
- Empathetic: in how you approach problem solving, collaborating with colleagues and clients.
- Solutions-oriented: you like identifying solutions to challenges.
Thought Leadership
- Participate in agency promotion which includes blogging, taking part in interviews, and networking
- Lead the firm’s understanding and intelligence on the current state of the industry, bringing forward best practices and new developments
Work hours and work environment
Employees are entrusted to work a schedule that ensures their responsibilities are successfully carried out and that they are reachable by internal and external stakeholders. Although a set schedule / work location is not mandated by the company, there may be occasions when the company requires employees to attend events at a specific location, such as the office.
Full-time hours are typically performed during the business’ hours of operations, which are Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm, arrangements outside of this will be discussed and pre-authorized by your direct manager. Operation of a computer keyboard and mouse / trackpad will be required daily.
We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. If you require any accommodation during the recruitment process, please reach out to us.
No phone inquiries, please. Only candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in Proof Strategies.
