Vice President, Auto

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 to join our Automotive team!  

 About the job: 

This is a tremendous opportunity to work on high-profile accounts, where your work is making a direct impact on our clients’ work and helping achieve great results. Experience with thought leadership, event planning, and product PR is required. Ideal candidates will match well-rounded PR credentials with automotive, transportation, and mobility knowledge, along with familiarity with the media that cover that space. Ketchum is an agency that’s committed to the development of its people, and we’ve created a culture where our people are energized to deliver highly creative, media-savvy, and results-oriented work for clients. 

• Ability to work in a multi-faceted, fast-paced environment
• Strong sense of client service, with the ability to manage tactical projects while also capable of creating strategic programs and counsel
• Act as day-to-day client contact; continually foster client-agency relationship to build trust and become a valuable resource to clients
• Maintain relationships with the automotive industry and business media, proactively developing story ideas and pitch angles for clients
• Familiarity with social media channels, specifically those that reach automotive enthusiasts
• Develop reports and presentations that concisely communicate programming recommendations and merchandise success of completed projects
• Analyze media trends to develop insights and POVs that inform client programming
• Demonstrate a high degree of client engagement through proactive idea generation, creativity, and participation in all aspects of the account
• Play a key role in planning and implementation of account activities, including special events, media events, media relations, social media, desk-side briefings, program implementation, etc.
• Demonstrate ability to effectively develop a full range of written materials, including client correspondence, press releases, media pitches, reports, etc.
• Develop and monitor program plans and budgets for profitability; report status to client and agency management regularly
• Continually build understanding and knowledge of clients' businesses and competitive environments; apply this information in preparing and presenting strategically focused programs and recommendations.
• Develop an understanding of research methods, coordinate internal and external resources
• Be flexible and facilitate teamwork within the account team; coordinate team resources and create opportunities for junior staff to take on more responsibility; fully utilize agency resources to create the "best teams" for your clients 

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: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing or a related field preferred 
• Nine + years of experience in a public relations agency or a similar position; transportation/automotive experience highly desirable; Fluency in Spanish a plus
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask and manage priorities
• Ability to work in a