Corporate Affairs & Communications
Growth, volatility, transformation, and activism all demand bold, strategic leadership to protect organizations, brands, people, and assets. Today’s CEOs and enterprise leaders face a rapidly evolving landscape where power and information are more dispersed. Corporate affairs and communications leaders are critical in managing internal and external stakeholder relationships, navigating regulation, shaping narratives, and protecting reputation in times of crisis. As politics and policy converge, media fragments, and AI accelerates change, **communications expertise** is more essential than ever for trust, growth, and brand protection.
Known for shaping corporate affairs and communications leadership at the highest levels, Heidrick & Struggles continues to evolve with the needs of modern organizations. We partner with organizations facing today's most complex leadership demands of today—and tomorrow. Our experts deliver tailored solutions across industries and geographies, including:
Our corporate affairs and communications experts partner with clients to assess organizational challenges and identify talent solutions, with deep expertise in the core areas critical to successful Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Communications. Our experts build resilient leadership teams and place top talent across key functions to drive impact across industries. We specialize in placing top talent across key functions, including:
- Corporate Affairs
- Corporate Communications
- Government Relations and Public Affairs
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Employee Communications
- Branding
- Digital and Social Media
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Community Relations
- Sustainability
- Investor Relations
Government and corporate affairs focus: Finding leaders who can effectively manage political and regulatory risk
Navigating the constantly evolving global political and geopolitical landscape is a strategic necessity today. Our work with US and global companies suggests a comprehensive menu of options and some questions companies can use to navigate them, whether they are just starting out or already have a foundation to build on.
A new CEO is a pivotal moment requiring a reset. Corporate affairs and communications leaders set the tone from the top, align internal and external messaging, and build early trust with key stakeholders.
In today's high-stakes environments, corporate affairs and communications play a central role in managing risk, reputation, aligning messaging across audiences, engaging regulators and policymakers, and the public—especially as some companies consolidate brand, marketing, and communications to unify voice and narrative.
With the shift in how information is created, conveyed, and consumed, corporate affairs leaders are helping organizations adapt—often by integrating marketing, branding, and communications to connect with diverse audiences across converging paid, owned, and earned channels.
Corporate affairs and communications are essential to shaping the narrative and managing internal and external expectations during IPO prep and integration. They also play a vital role in addressing the cultural dynamics that make or break M&A success.
In times of change, corporate affairs and communications drive understanding, alignment, and momentum—ensuring employees, investors, and stakeholders embrace the company’s evolving story before others define it for them.