Vice President Communications

VP, Communications — Private Equity Portfolio (Energy, Industrial, Technology)

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid) Role: Executive Leadership Reports to: CEO and PE Operating Partner Partners with: Full C‑Suite (CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO, CTO) and PE Firm Leadership

We are hiring a Vice President, Communications to lead enterprise-wide communications for a diversified Private Equity-backed portfolio operating across Energy, Industrial, and Technology. This executive will shape our corporate narrative, elevate brand reputation, strengthen stakeholder trust, and drive strategic communications that support growth, transformation, and long-term value creation.

This role is deeply embedded with both the portfolio company’s C‑suite and the PE firm’s Operating Partners, requiring exceptional executive presence, strategic judgment, and the ability to influence at the highest levels.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year communications strategy aligned with the PE firm’s value-creation plan.
• Build a cohesive corporate narrative that integrates Energy, Industrial, and Technology business units into a unified brand story.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO, CTO, and PE Operating Partners on messaging, positioning, and reputation.
• Support C‑suite leaders with speechwriting, executive visibility, investor messaging, and external engagements.

Executive and C‑Suite Support

• Partner closely with all C‑suite leaders to craft communications around strategy, transformation, M&A, operational excellence, technology adoption, and culture.
• Develop executive communication platforms, including thought leadership, keynote presentations, industry commentary, and media engagement.
• Ensure consistent, aligned messaging across all leadership functions and business units.

External Communications and Brand Reputation

• Lead media relations, press strategy, executive visibility, and thought leadership across all sectors.
• Position the company as a leader in innovation, sustainability, energy transition, industrial modernization, and emerging technologies.
• Manage relationships with national business media, trade outlets, analysts, and industry associations.
• Oversee digital communications, including website, social media, content strategy, and corporate storytelling.

Crisis and Issues Management

• Build and maintain a crisis communications framework for operational incidents, regulatory issues, cybersecurity events, and ESG-related matters.
• Serve as the communications lead during crises, coordinating with Legal, Operations, and the PE firm.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely messaging during high-visibility events.

Internal Communications and Culture

• Lead internal communications that support culture transformation, organizational alignment, and employee engagement.
• Partner with HR and Operations to communicate organizational changes, M&A activity, integration milestones, and performance updates.
• Drive clarity and transparency across a multi-site, multi-business workforce.

Investor and PE Stakeholder Alignment

• Support communications for board meetings, investor updates, and value-creation storytelling.
• Work directly with the PE firm’s C‑suite and Operating Partners to ensure alignment on messaging, strategy, and market positioning.
• Prepare communications that support future liquidity events, including IPO, strategic sale, or merger.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing communications team across corporate, digital, and internal communications.
• Manage external agencies, PR firms, and consultants to deliver best-in-class communications support.

Qualifications

• 12–20+ years of progressive communications leadership experience in Energy, Industrial, Technology, or adjacent sectors.
• Experience in PE-backed, multi-business, or transformation-stage environments strongly preferred.
• Proven success partnering directly with C‑suite executives and PE leadership.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading crisis communications and regulatory-sensitive messaging.
• Strong understanding of sustainability, energy transition, industrial operations, and emerging technologies.
• Ability to operate with urgency, precision, and high judgment in fast-moving environments.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MA in Communications, Public Policy, or related field) strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic storytelling and executive influence
• C‑suite partnership and advisory capability
• Crisis and issues management
• Media and analyst relations
• Change management communications
• Digital communications strategy
• Cross-functional leadership
• High-judgment decision-making
• Ability to thrive in PE-driven environments

Why This Role Matters

This leader will be the architect of the company’s voice — shaping how we communicate with employees, customers, investors, regulators, and the market. Communications will play a critical role in supporting growth, transformation, and the portfolio’s long-term exit strategy. The VP, Communications will serve as a trusted advisor to the entire C‑suite and the PE firm, influencing decisions at the highest levels.