Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.
At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.
We are seeking a Senior Account Director to join Edelman’s Reputation practice in Toronto. The Reputation practice advises organizations on how they build, protect, and sustain trust with stakeholders across moments of opportunity, change, and risk.
This role is designed for a senior strategic counselor who thrives in complexity — someone who can anticipate risk, guide executive leaders through sensitive moments, and strengthen enterprise reputation across evolving business, policy and societal landscapes. In this role, you will combine senior client leadership on a flagship reputation mandate with issues focused advisory support across a broader client portfolio.
Client & Strategic Leadership
You will serve as the senior strategic lead on reputation mandates, providing day-to-day leadership, executive counsel, and integrated direction across complex and high-stakes client work.
Lead reputation mandates as the senior day-to-day advisor, providing strategic oversight and direction.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, delivering clear, business-grounded communications counsel in both stable and high-pressure environments.
Anticipate and identify emerging risks — reputational, regulatory, societal, and operational — and translate them into actionable guidance.
Act as the client’s chief advocate within Edelman, mobilizing integrated teams across strategy, earned media, digital, creative, analytics, public affairs and issues.,
Ensure communications strategy aligns with business priorities, stakeholder expectations, and policy context.
Drive integrated programs that protect and strengthen enterprise reputation.
Issues Management & Reputation Advisory
You will provide issues management and reputational advisory support across Edelman’s broader client portfolio.
Act as a cross-practice advisor on societal, geopolitical, cultural, policy, and operational issues, staying attuned to current events and public sentiment.
Partner with colleagues across practices to identify and mitigate reputational risk in consumer and integrated campaigns; serve as a strategic “devil’s advocate.”
Work closely with internal experts (public affairs, government relations, financial communications, earned media) to deliver integrated counsel.
Lead issues management programs, early-warning assessments, and scenario planning.
Support crisis preparation and response as needed, including messaging, Q&As, and real-time advisory.
Team Leadership, Practice Contribution & Growth
Lead and mentor teams across workstreams, coaching colleagues from junior staff through ADs.
Oversee workflow, resourcing, and team performance with a focus on operational excellence.
Play an active role in Reputation practice leadership, including growth initiatives, capability building, and internal priorities.
Contribute to business development by identifying opportunities and supporting new and organic growth.
Qualifications:
7+ years of progressive experience in strategic communications, ideally in an agency environment.
Proven ability to lead a portfolio of complex accounts and provide reliable strategic counsel to senior clients.
Strong issues management experience; crisis communications experience is an asset.
Strong earned media instincts and public affairs awareness.
Excellent writing, messaging, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated financial acumen, including budget ownership and risk management.
Experience coaching and developing teams.
Comfort with and ability to adapt quickly to AI enabled tools and emerging technologies.
Highly proactive, resilient, and effective in fast‑moving environments.
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We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
