Director, Client Relationship Management, Management

We focus on the moments that matter most—high-stakes issues where how an event is managed can have lasting repercussions on stakeholders’ trust and reputation. You get an A-team of seasoned communicators developing the strategy, doing the critical work, and delivering results with an eye to value.

Arena is a communications advisory firm, founded in 2021, with headquarters in New York City and a presence in San Francisco. Our team comprises communications veterans who have led high-profile engagements across various industries and geographies, both in-house and as consultants.

Arena is seeking a Director to work closely with the firm’s partners to provide critical support on special situations for companies and individuals, including transactions, crises, litigation, a new strategy, and other key moments that matter to the firm’s clients.

The ideal candidate will have the experience to develop strategy and take the lead on execution and client interface to provide counsel in high-pressure situations. They will also be an excellent writer, excel at managing numerous and sometimes competing assignments, be intellectually curious about business, policy, and current events to quickly assess issues and fast-changing news environments, and be organized and driven.

The Director must have strong existing media relationships. The Director must provide leadership to more junior team members to help them learn and advance their careers.

Arena is a fast-growing firm that requires employees to be entrepreneurially minded to contribute to strategy and planning for firm growth, which may include taking responsibility for a range of tasks outside the job description.

• Clients:
  Based on research and input from the client, develop strategies for mandates; outline execution plans, timelines and budgets.
• Arena:
  Participate in firm management to contribute to growth planning and execution. Build the practice and operational structure of the firm through the execution of a wide variety of tasks, including identifying new business opportunities, developing and tracking progress against OKRs, and designing and formalizing operational processes.

• Serve as a day-to-day lead for client engagements, managing relationships and ensuring high-quality execution.
• Develop client materials, onboard new assignments, lead calls, and deliver strategic counsel across complex issues.
• Draft, edit, and finalize strategic communications deliverables, including communications plans, talking points, Q&As, timelines and rollouts, media backgrounders, and materials for journalist interviews.
• Execute on plans to advocate the client’s point of view to the media, investors, employees, regulators, and other critical stakeholders and manage announcement and/or event logistics as needed.

• Oversee research assignments on fast-moving situations with tight deadlines; framing topics; distilling large volumes of market, legal, and media information into clear analysis and recommendations.
• Be prepared to conduct research directly with key stakeholders.

• Grow and build upon an existing network of trusted contacts, clients and potential clients, reporters, legal and financial advisors to support the firm in current and future engagements.

• Manage and mentor team members, working with partners and directors on the day-to-day management of junior employees and client deliverables.
• Promote a high-performance culture by developing junior team members and contributing to firm-wide learning, training and leadership initiatives.

• 7-10 years of experience in a commercial environment is required. The ideal…