Senior Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications

About the Role:

As the leader for Corporate Affairs, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our company's external image and internal culture. You will be responsible for managing our corporate affairs and reputation, stakeholder engagement strategies, external and internal communications, public relations and crisis management. This role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for animal welfare and a commitment to promoting our company's values and objectives.

This role will help share Bond Vet’s story with the teams across the organization and the pet parents in the communities we serve. Reporting directly to Chief Growth Officer and with a dotted line to the CEO, this role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills and the ability to navigate both corporate and field environments effectively.

This is a full time role, requiring at least two days per week to be worked in-office at our corporate office in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York, NY.

What You’ll Do:

Corporate Affairs and Reputation Management:

• Develop and implement corporate affairs strategies aligned with Bond Vet’s overall objectives and values.
• Develop strategies to safeguard and enhance the Bond Vet’'s reputation among stakeholders, including clients, partners, investors, and the community.
• Proactively identify and address potential risks and opportunities that may impact the company's reputation or business operations, and develop mitigation plans accordingly.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership to integrate corporate affairs considerations and reputation-related matters into business decision-making processes.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, community organizations, and media outlets.
• Represent Bond Vet’s interest in relevant forums, conferences, and community initiatives to strengthen partnerships and promote our brand values.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment between corporate affairs initiatives and business objectives.

External Communications:

• Serve as the primary point of contact and spokesperson for the company, effectively communicating key messages to external stakeholders through various channels.
• Lead the development and execution of external communication strategies, including press releases, speeches, media outreach, social media, and thought leadership content to ensure consistency and accuracy of messaging.
• Work closely with the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and brand positioning across all communication channels.
• Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets, influencers, and industry partners to generate positive coverage and enhance Bond Vet’s brand visibility.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends to identify opportunities for proactive engagement and storytelling.
• Oversee the creation and execution of social media campaigns to engage our target audience and drive brand awareness.

Internal Communications:

• Develop and implement internal communication strategies to ensure alignment across corporate headquarters, field veterinary hospitals and our virtual teams.
• Help build engaging strategies and channels to share key organizational initiatives, updates and changes with the field teams with a cohesive approach that fosters shared purpose. 
• Collaborate with cross functional leadership to gather relevant information and create engaging content for internal newsletters, intranet, and other communication platforms.
• Organize and lead regular meetings and events to promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members, promote employee engagement and recognition.
• Develop channels for two-way communication and feedback, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.

Crisis Management:

• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively manage and mitigate potential issues that may arise.
• Serve as a spokesperson for Bod Vet during crisis situations, providing timely and transparent communication to internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct post-incident evaluations to identify lessons learned and implement improvements to crisis management processes.

You Are: 

• You are a gifted storyteller, able to craft compelling narratives that resonate with both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• You are an attentive listener, capable of understanding the needs and perspectives of diverse audiences.
• You are strong at social media to drive awareness and engagement and have experience managing across different platforms.
• You excel at distilling complex information into clear and concise messages that are easily understood by all levels of the organization.
• You possess strong interpersonal skills, allowing you to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, media contacts, and investors.
• You are adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced environment, able to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• You are a strategic thinker, able to anticipate potential communication challenges and develop proactive solutions.
• You are a collaborative team player, able to work cross-functionally to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• You have a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, always seeking new ways to enhance our communication strategies and elevate our brand.
• You are results-oriented, with a track record of delivering impactful communication campaigns that drive engagement and achieve measurable outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.  Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven experience in corporate affairs,  communications or public relations role, preferably within a fast-paced startup environment or healthcare industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for various audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing social media platforms and executing successful PR campaigns.
• Knowledge of investor relations practices and regulations..
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and cross-functional team environment.
• Passion for pets and commitment to promoting responsible well-being

We Offer:

• Support for your physical and mental wellness: medical, dental & vision plan options and access to mental health support programs
• Time for you and loved ones: great PTO, fully paid parental leave over your time at Bond Vet, discounted Bond Vet services for pets 
• Dedication to your financial future: competitive pay, 401k with partial company match, commuter benefits. 
• A place to grow: culture that is centered in learning and development, career pathing, mentorships, empowerment and trust

Compensation will fall between $150,000 - $200,000 annually based on experience

Join our passionate team at Bond Vet and help us continue to strengthen the human-animal bond through better pet care. If you are a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills and a love for pets, we encourage you to apply for the position of Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications.