Vice President, Employee Engagement
📋 Role Overview & Responsibilities
About Ketchum
As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. And we love when those worlds collide to create the very best teams and solutions for our clients. We work with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We’re just crazy enough to think we can impact the world – and how it responds to ideas – through communication.
We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let’s talk. Come belong at Ketchum!
Overview
We are looking for a Vice President, Employee Engagement to join our team!
Are you an employee engagement specialist that loves all things internal communications? Do you have a passion for understanding and building upon what matters most to employees? Care about the employee experience and enhancing employers’ brands and cultures? This could be the perfect role for you to join our fast-growing Employee Engagement and Internal Communications Specialty. This position can be based in any of our US offices, but New York, Chicago or Dallas are preferred.
This hire will serve as a key agency contact for several client accounts focused on Employee Engagement. This role will help lead and direct program efforts to ensure client satisfaction and bring a value-added approach to client work. We are looking for an individual with strong initiative, energy and professionalism.
Responsibilities
Manage internal communications, employee engagement and HR communications programs for clients across the agency and across multiple industries. Areas of focus include but are not limited to employee engagement, culture communications, HR communications, change management, organizational effectiveness and content creationProvide senior counsel, nurture relationships, and deliver high value work to clients. Impact strategic business decisions from a communications standpoint. Bring a value-added approach to all issues and projectsDevelop and champion strategic internal initiatives, demonstrate, encourage and drives entrepreneurial mindset and behavior for continuously evolving offerings to clientsCreate employee engagement plans, including strategies and tactical execution elementsDevelop executive visibility programming, including internal opportunities, external speaking recommendations, and awards/recognition considerationsExhibit strong communication and presentation skills to effectively articulate ideas to clients, colleagues and others. Strong writing skills are a mustWork with client teams across the network to continue to build a profitable, growing, industry-leading and award-winning business within the agencyWork with the leadership team to identify growth categories in the space. Build a compelling Ketchum offering around key growth categoriesManage account team financials including budget allocation, client billing, supplier invoicing and purchase orders; ensure team billability and account profitabilityStay current with new developments in the industry and develop agency POVs that inspire actionable strategies Demonstrate strategic understanding and application of digital tools, internal communications platforms and organizational effectiveness strategiesCreate new business opportunities, marketing or industry exposures for the agencyTake a leadership role in new business prospecting, proposal development and presentations; work with account teams to build incremental businessVisibly and actively engender an entrepreneurial, sales-driven culture, focused on generating growth opportunities from clients and prospects, and providing unique growth and development opportunities for current and future Ketchum talentProvide visionary leadership and drive the strategy of the group. Demonstrate an ability to partner with, lead and develop talent and build a culture of belonging
Qualifications
We’re looking for required skills, and they can come from any combination of education and experience. Diversity of thought and background are encouraged. Typical qualifications include:
At least 10+ years of experience, including direct experience within an agency environmentDirect experience in employee engagement, change management, internal communications and organizational effectivenessExecutive visibility experience would also be importantDirect experience in building, growing and managing high performing teamsAbility to travel to various offices for new business pitches, client meetings and other requirements of the roleExperience in counseling senior leaders on appropriate internal communications strategy and channels
The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000. This position may be bonus eligible depending on individual employee performance and Ketchum business performance. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available.
What We Offer
Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the officeRobust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hirePaid maternity/paternity leaveFamily Forming BenefitsEmployee Recognition ProgramGenerous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday scheduleVarious development opportunities to enhance personal and professional lifeTuition reimbursementMonthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement
Interested? We’ve got an opportunity for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This position is located in Chicago, IL with potential relocation and sponsorship assistance depending on candidate qualifications.
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