Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis has an immediate opening for an established, highly connected Vice President to help lead and grow our Washington, D.C. practice. We’re looking for a communications leader with 12+ years of experience who brings real credibility and relationships across Washington, media and culture; and knows how to turn great ideas, judgment and connections into action.
As Vice President, you bring presence, gravitas and excellent judgment, with the confidence to counsel senior executives and leaders through complex moments. You have deep, authentic relationships with reporters, editors, producers and influential voices, and understand what makes a story resonate beyond the traditional Washington news cycle. You are equally comfortable shaping strategy and rolling up your sleeves to make things happen: getting the meeting, making the introduction, picking up the phone (we’re humans!) and moving a big idea forward. And you’re the kind of leader clients trust, teams learn from and people genuinely want to work with.
The Role:
Strategic Leadership: Provide senior-level strategy and counsel across a diverse portfolio of clients (ex: impact, corporate, entertainment), bringing excellent judgment, a deep understanding of the media and cultural landscape, and creative thinking to complex communications challenges and opportunities.
Executive Counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and leaders, helping them navigate high-stakes moments, sharpen their positioning and identify opportunities to build their profile, reputation and influence.
Media & Relationships: Bring deep, authentic relationships with reporters, editors, producers and other influential voices across Washington and national media. Know who to call, what makes a story compelling and how to turn relationships into meaningful opportunities for clients.
Creative Storytelling & Ideas: See beyond the traditional D.C. playbook. Find and create stories, develop unexpected ideas, partnerships and cultural opportunities, and connect clients to broader conversations in ways that feel relevant, creative and distinctly SSM&L.
Operational Leadership: Help keep the business and the work running well. Oversee account health, staffing, scopes and profitability across your portfolio; anticipate where teams or client relationships need attention; and work with senior leadership to solve problems early, allocate resources thoughtfully and ensure we’re delivering great work in a sustainable way.
Growth & New Business: Play a meaningful role in growing the D.C. office by leading new business pitches, expanding existing client relationships and identifying new opportunities that build on SSM&L’s strengths and aspirations. .
Team & Cross-Agency Leadership: Lead, mentor and inspire teams while working seamlessly across SSM&L’s offices and capabilities. Connect the right people and ideas, set a high bar for the work and help create an environment where people are excited to contribute and do their best work.
Being Human: An understanding that behind every client challenge, deadline, pitch and big idea are actual people. Lead with empathy, kindness, perspective and a sense of humor. Build trust, read the room and help clients and colleagues navigate the inevitable twists and turns of agency life with confidence and calm.
Who You Are:
An Established Leader: You bring 12+ years of progressive experience in communications, media, public affairs or a related field, with a track record of leading complex client relationships, counseling senior leaders and delivering exceptional work.
A Strategic Storyteller: You know how to find the story, not simply react to what’s in front of you. You listen closely, hear what a client isn’t saying, ask the right questions and turn complex ideas, challenges and opportunities into narratives people actually care about.
A Connected Communicator: You are an exceptional communicator and writer with real credibility across media. You’ve built meaningful relationships with reporters, editors, producers and other influential voices. You understand what gets their attention and earns their trust.
A Creative Doer: You have big ideas and the ability to make them happen. You see connections others might miss, bring unexpected people and opportunities together, and are just as comfortable rolling up your sleeves as you are leading from the front.
Entrepreneurial: You are curious and energized by what’s next. You spot possibilities, build relationships and naturally think about how a great idea, introduction or piece of work can turn into something bigger.
A People Leader: You set a high bar without losing sight of the people doing the work. You give clear direction, develop great talent and know when to push, when to listen and when a team simply needs a steady hand.
Driven to Over-Deliver: You care deeply about the quality of the work and the experience of getting there. You’re energized by ambitious assignments and cultural moments, and by the challenge of turning a great idea into something even better than anyone expected.
Skills Required
- 12+ years of progressive experience in communications, media, public affairs, or a related field
- Track record leading complex client relationships and counseling senior leaders
- Deep relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and influential voices across Washington and national media
- Exceptional communication and writing skills
- Experience developing strategic communications narratives and creative storytelling
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing teams
- Experience with new business pitches and expanding client relationships
- Ability to oversee account health, staffing, scopes, and profitability
What We Do
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is an independent full-service communications and narrative consulting firm. Our collective helps shape public image via earned, owned, and paid engagements across mediums and platforms. We’re built on the notion that good ideas have the power to change the world, shape our cultural conventions, and create new models of success in every industry. Benefits include; medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Additional perks include: a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women’s Day, etc.). From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are important to us and since we are into promoting from within, we are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Media series where media contacts provide valuable insider info for pitching them and their colleagues. SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
