Strategic Communications Consultant

Consulting at CRA | Admired Leadership

At CRA | Admired Leadership, we specialize in Leadership Development and Strategic Communication, advising organizations and senior leaders on their toughest internal communication problems. This can include changes in leadership, policies, or organizational structure, employee engagement efforts, and crisis communication, among many other things.

CRA | Admired Leadership seeks top talent looking for a challenging and rewarding career in strategic communication consulting. Consultants participate in an immersive, hands-on apprentice program designed to build the skills and perspective needed to be successful in running their own businesses as CRA Managing Directors. Consultants, under the guidance of a Managing Director, analyze client problems and develop solutions using research based CRA | Admired Leadership methodology. Following orientation, Consultants begin working with colleagues and clients across a diverse set of experiences, receiving coaching and guidance along the way. Upon successful completion of the program, Consultants become Managing Directors, building their own business and team.

Essential Attributes:

• A passion for communication and human behavior
• An appreciation of the importance and nuance of successful client and colleague relationships
• An extraordinary work ethic in pursuit of excellence
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for solving unique problems, often with little context
• Unshakable confidence, tempered by the humility that learning requires
• An eagerness to operate in an entrepreneurial culture
• Systems thinking ability to connect initiatives across projects, creating scalable solutions that are greater than the sum of their parts
• Self-directed work style with a proactive approach to identifying and delivering additional value to clients and team members
• Exceptional organizational skills with innovative approaches to project management
• Ability to produce high-quality deliverables efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort with technology and willingness to incorporate AI tools to enhance productivity and client outcomes

"Consulting" looks different depending on the area of expertise and firm culture. At CRA, it means…

• Writing and editing. We work closely with our clients to craft messages that inform communication opportunities for their organization and often draft specific communications (e.g., organization-wide emails, Town Hall talking points) for executive leadership or projects.
• Directing research and feedback initiatives to understand the current state and advise on next steps to help clients reach their goals.
• Giving advice and counsel, either through coaching engagements or our work on larger projects.
• Managing projects and building relationships. In our lean organization, we not only get the work done but also develop client networks and manage our projects every step of the way. We build relationships first and look for opportunities to partner with clients with whom we enjoy working.
• Working alongside a range of different teams, often at the same time. A CRA Consultant is almost always managing multiple client engagements at the same time, ranging from working alongside teams and to working 1:1 with a particular leader as a coach and advisor.
• Managing delivery of agreed services and resources for diverse client portfolios with minimal supervision, balancing priorities and maintaining quality standards independently.
• Contributing to commercial and reputational success through relationship-building, thought leadership, and identifying new opportunities that create value for existing and potential clients.

As a consultant, you will jump right into challenging consulting engagements, including the development of corporate strategy messaging, leadership transitions, and all manner of institutional change. You will receive mentorship in every element of your professional development.