Senior Consultant - Executive Communications

About the job

About Gestalt

Gestalt Communications is an integrated communications and public affairs firm helping organizations and leaders navigate complex reputational, political and public environments.

We are expanding our executive communications practice and are looking for an exceptional writer, strategic thinker and highly dependable operator to join our team.

The Role

The Senior Consultant, Executive Communications will help prominent executives build credible, distinctive and influential public profiles.

You will help develop the strategy, narratives, content, media presence, social profile, speaking platform and creative opportunities that shape how executives are understood by the audiences that matter to them.

You will work across speeches and written content, social media, earned and industry media, conferences and keynote opportunities, awards, profile-building initiatives and executive preparation. You will be expected to identify opportunities proactively and turn strategic direction into coordinated, high-quality programs.

The strongest candidates will combine excellent writing with curiosity, judgment, creativity and an instinct for what makes an executive, idea or story interesting.

Responsibilities

• Draft speeches, keynote remarks, op-eds, articles, briefing notes, executive correspondence, social content, scripts, talking points and other high-stakes materials in each client's authentic voice.
• Research executives, organizations, industries, political and policy environments and public issues, translating complex information into clear narratives, messages and recommendations.
• Help develop executive positioning and thought-leadership strategies, including priority audiences, themes, issues, channels and opportunities.
• Advise executives on their social media presence, including channel strategy, editorial direction, content development, tone, engagement opportunities and reputational considerations.
• Develop and manage social and editorial calendars that connect executive content to business priorities, industry conversations, public issues and relevant moments.
• Identify and pursue earned-media opportunities across business, political, trade and industry media, including interviews, commentary, contributed articles, profiles, podcasts and broadcast opportunities.
• Develop proactive and creative media angles that position executives within broader business, industry, political, cultural and public conversations.
• Identify opportunities for substantive profile and feature stories that reveal an executive's leadership, ideas, expertise, background or perspective beyond conventional corporate announcements.
• Build and manage conference and speaking strategies, including identifying priority conferences, keynote opportunities, panels, fireside chats and other platforms aligned with an executive's profile and objectives.
• Develop keynote concepts, session ideas, speaker proposals, abstracts, biographies and supporting materials, and work with conference organizers and other partners to advance opportunities.
• Identify and pursue relevant awards, rankings, recognition programs, podcasts, partnerships and selected influencer or creator opportunities.
• Prepare compelling award nominations, applications and supporting materials.
• Prepare executives for interviews, speeches, keynote presentations, panels, podcasts, conferences, town halls and other public appearances.
• Work with creative and production partners where appropriate to develop compelling formats for executive storytelling, including video, digital content, visual storytelling and other non-traditional approaches.
• Monitor social and traditional media, industry conversations, reputational risks and emerging issues, and develop concise briefs, scenarios, recommendations and draft responses.
• Provide practical social media and reputational counsel when executives are considering whether, when and how to engage with emerging or sensitive issues.
• Develop and manage workplans, editorial calendars, media and speaking pipelines, opportunity trackers and approval processes across multiple client mandates.
• Coordinate day-to-day client workflow while escalating major strategic, reputational or relationship matters to the lead partner.
• Present work, ideas and recommendations internally and, where appropriate, directly to clients.
• Help develop Gestalt's executive communications methodologies, templates, case studies, proposals and service offerings.

Qualifications

• Typically four to seven years of relevant experience in executive communications, corporate communications, public affairs, journalism, speechwriting, media, reputation strategy or a related advisory environment.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, demonstrated through a strong portfolio.
• The ability to capture another person's voice and create compelling work from conversations, rough notes and incomplete inputs.
• Strong strategic and reputational judgment, including knowing when an issue requires senior escalation.
• Excellent research, fact-checking and synthesis skills.
• Strong project-management skills and the ability to manage several concurrent assignments and deadlines.
• A practical understanding of Canadian business, public affairs and media.
• Discretion and comfort working with confidential, sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Collaborative and able to respond constructively to direct feedback and iterative editing.

We place greater weight on demonstrated writing ability, judgment and ownership than on a specific number of years or previous title.

Additional Assets

• Demonstrated communications experience in one or more specific industries or sectors, with the ability to understand the issues, stakeholders, media and dynamics shaping that sector.
• Political, government, campaign, public affairs or policy communications experience.
• Professional speechwriting, journalism, broadcast production or executive-office experience.
• Relationships across media, podcasts, conferences, awards programs or relevant professional communities.
• Experience developing executive thought-leadership platforms or multi-channel content programs.
• Issues-management or crisis-communications experience.
• French or another additional language.

Why Join Gestalt

• Work on impactful campaigns at the intersection of media, politics, and public affairs.
• Opportunity to shape narratives and drive real-world impact.
• Collaborative team environment with room for growth and leadership.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
  

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an application outlining their experience and qualifications to Show email

Please submit:

• Your resume;
• A short note explaining your interest in the role; and
• Two or three writing samples demonstrating range, including at least one long-form or speech-style sample.

Redacted or anonymized client work is welcome. Please identify your contribution to any collaborative samples.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a practical exercise reflecting the work of the position.