Senior Vice President, Crisis & Risk Communications - Data, Security, and Privacy

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.

The Global Crisis & Reputation Risk practice is one of the most respected and largest in the world, serving clients on complex crises and with 100+ practitioners in more than 60 countries. The capabilities and diversity of talent have also grown to include former management consultants, digital leaders, sector experts, research and analytics specialists, and senior crisis counselors.

The Crisis & Reputation Risk team advises leading corporations, governments and institutions and their senior leaders on a broad range of crises including cybersecurity and data security incidents, data privacy matters, physical security risks, corporate malfeasance, societal issues, litigation, ethics and integrity matters, product and service risks, regulatory scrutiny, financial issues and other events that affect trust, reputation and business continuity.

We are currently looking for a senior-level crisis management professional to join our team. In this role as Senior Vice President, Crisis & Reputation Risk you will work on and help grow Data Security & Privacy (DSP) work, which supports clients as they prepare for, manage and recover from cybersecurity, data security and privacy risks and incidents. A successful candidate will have a strong track record developing communications strategies and providing reputational counsel to companies.

We are looking for someone with deep experience preparing organizations for cybersecurity/data risks and leading crisis matters involving clients facing cybersecurity incidents – from unauthorized access, data breaches, ransomware incidents, business interruption events, third-party/vendor incidents, sensitive data exposure, data misuse allegations and privacy notification matters. You should be a driven professional who can provide expert, practical and creative client counsel, work effectively alongside legal, forensics, insurance, security and communications stakeholders; and inspire and lead teams to further evolve, grow and upscale our offering.

If this sounds like you, keep reading!

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the most senior leaders in the company to counsel our clients on complex cybersecurity/data security and privacy crises as well as other issues affecting trust and reputation. This role will involve a strong focus on helping clients prepare for and respond to cybersecurity/data security and data privacy incidents, including ransomware attacks and breaches of personal, financial, health and corporate information. In addition to incident response communications strategy, this role supports client preparedness through playbooks, trainings and tabletops
• Where needed, support other issues and crisis matters such as product recalls, litigation, labor matters, regulatory investigations and societal issues
• Work collaboratively with Edelman’s counter-disinformation experts to counsel clients at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI/disinformation
• Play an active role in strategically driving and developing crisis account work
• Lead operational and financial performance of account teams, ensuring quality work, effective processes and that client requests are handled in timely and strategic fashion
• Thoughtfully counsel clients based on cyber communications landscape and business goals; take immediate action on client feedback
• Work alongside clients’ cyber counsel and forensics partners to develop holistic data security response communications plans and materials
• Translate complex cybersecurity, data security and privacy issues into clear, credible and audience-appropriate communications for executives, boards, employees, customers, consumers, partners, regulators, policymakers, investors and media.
• Oversee junior staff by providing clear and consistent feedback, and advancing work
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• Lead new business development efforts, capitalizing on, and contributing to, the Edelman global network to serve and help grow the firm’s DSP offering, including proactively expanding existing relationships and bridging new relationships with data security attorneys and insurers
• Demonstrate advanced writing skills and supervise writing of others
• Set and lead both traditional and social strategic media relations course
• Host internal trainings on DSP matters
• Manage billing and budgets

Basic Qualifications:

• Have 10 years+ of crisis management experience and experience running integrated account work, managing a team, and growing account work with clients
• Able to work a hybrid schedule with 3 days a week in the Chicago, NYC, or D.C. office
• Able to be on site with clients as needed
• Have a bachelor’s degree in a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have worked in federal law enforcement, regulatory bodies, or other relevant government entities
• Experience helping organizations prepare for and respond to cybersecurity, data security and privacy incidents
• Experience and interest in helping organizations confront the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape
• Strong understanding of the cybersecurity and data privacy incident response ecosystem, including the roles of outside counsel, privacy counsel, forensic investigators, insurers, brokers, regulators, law enforcement and internal security teams
• Ability to provide sound communications counsel in legally sensitive, fast-moving and high-pressure environments
• Excellent client relationship skills and experience giving counsel on strategy, approach, and execution
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and time/project management skills; possess the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Able to adapt on the fly, comfortable in a quickly and constantly changing landscape, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Track record of growing profitable programs that have advanced client business goals
• Media relations and message development skills to lead execution of plans, crisis response messaging and storytelling on behalf of clients
• Experience in working in new business and driving proposal development and opportunities for the team
• Sound judgment and proven problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop and help coach a team, in addition to leading work
• Ability to secure new business and contribute to and/or lead new business pitches
• Ability to travel as needed
• Willing to respond outside of regular work hours as needed to manage breaking issues

$150,000 - $220,000 annually

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

DJEH offers a wide range of benefits: medical and dental insurance, vision, 401K, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, travel assistance and wellness programing.

DJEH is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and believes in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation in any part of the employment process, please let us know.

About Us

It started with one man’s passion to make an impact through stories…

70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected.

We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values. We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.

Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work— taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe.

Our Values

• The relentless pursuit of excellence

• The freedom to be constantly curious

• The courage to do the right thing

• The commitment to positively impact society.

What Sets Us Apart

• We grow our people

• We invite and celebrate differences

• Our reputation is our brand

• We’re global, yet local

Why work here?

We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business.