Sean Clancy
Waxhaw,NC
Summary
Highly accomplished and results-driven senior executive with 15+ years of strategic communications leadership, specializing in complex, high-stakes environments within regulated industries. Military Veteran with a proven track record of orchestrating comprehensive communication strategies encompassing crisis management, media relations, reputation management, investor relations, government affairs, and public engagement. Expertly guides organizations through critical periods, builds and maintains stakeholder trust, and shapes public perception to advance strategic objectives. Adept at leading diverse teams, interacting with multiple levels of management, and navigating intricate regulatory landscapes. Combines a deep understanding of corporate governance with exceptional public speaking and executive counsel skills to deliver impactful communication solutions. Seeking to leverage extensive experience in a Vice President, Communications role within the healthcare sector.
Experienced with strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. Utilizes analytical skills to develop and implement effective business strategies. Knowledge of financial planning and stakeholder management ensures sustainable growth and organizational success.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President, Communications
Wells Fargo, N.A.
01.2021 - Current
- Direct enterprise-wide communications for a leading financial institution, focusing on operational excellence, governance, and transformation.
- Draft, edit, and coordinate sensitive customer remediation communications, including regulatory-driven letters, call center FAQs/scripts, and internal messaging, adhering to strict compliance and legal requirements.
- Edit and publish well-crafted, easy-to-read communications across multiple business lines, translating technical information into accessible content within a stringent regulatory and risk framework.
Managing Director
Evolving World Communications
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Provided strategic public relations and marketing counsel to regional businesses, corporations, and non-profits, driving business development, strategy, and execution.
- Designed marketing and communications strategy for an international Chamber of Commerce focused on Africa's economic growth and development, enhancing public engagement and perception.
- Constructed global marketing and communications strategy for a financial holding company, including supporting the CEO as interim Chief Administrative Officer for communications, HR, legal, and procurement.
- Publicized a groundbreaking $150M, 300+-store mega-mall project and executed media relations for a major trade fair, generating significant media coverage and public interest.
Senior Consultant
Institute for Crisis Management
01.2007 - 01.2021
- Provided strategic counsel to Fortune 1000 corporations, private companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations on crisis prevention and response.
- Guided senior management through triage and de-escalation strategies during potentially damaging corporate reputation and brand promise events.
- Successfully mitigated negative media coverage regarding allegations against a client, protecting reputation and brand integrity.
- Developed and delivered crisis communications and media training for corporate employees, federal agency officials, and state & local law enforcement agencies.
- Counseled executive teams and crafted communications for industrial and non-profit clients navigating sensitive public issues.
Vice President, Corporate Communications
The Shaw Group
06.2007 - 04.2009
- Managed a $4.1M communications budget and a staff of 32, shaping brand perception for products and services.
- Launched the Executive Communication program to enhance senior leadership's presentation skills, enabling them to persuade, inspire, educate, and inform diverse stakeholder audiences.
- Led the Incident Response Team, devising and executing crisis strategy and messaging following whistleblower allegations of fraud and abuse, and acting as the corporate spokesperson to protect the company's reputation.
Vice President, Corporate Communications
FLOWSERVE CORP.
08.2000 - 06.2005
- Established the company's first global communications function, managing a $2.1 million budget and a team of five. Built a global corporate communications function with policies and processes for marketing, issues management, executive, government, investor, internal, and community relations.
- Devised and led a crisis team stemming from Sarbanes-Oxley compliance issues, SEC investigations, shareholder litigation, and a Wells Notice enforcement action against the CEO, effectively managing investor and regulatory communications.
- Applied expertise as a state and federal lobbyist, opening a Washington, D.C., office to launch a Government Relations resource, advising C-Suite executives on regulatory impact.
- Directed the crisis management team that preserved a $50 million line of business during a manufacturing liability issue, establishing strategy, and training business unit managers as spokespersons.
Director, Corporate Communications
UNION CARBIDE CORP.
03.1998 - 07.2000
- Developed and implemented strategies for existing and emerging environmental issues, teaming with the CEO and CFO on earnings statements and Annual Reports.
- Devised a tactical response to mitigate the negative image from the 15th anniversary of the Bhopal, India, chemical leak, and resolved a third-party toxic spill and child cancer cluster in Toms River, NJ, demonstrating critical crisis and reputation management skills.
- Developed unified news media, community relations, government affairs, and litigation support strategies to resolve high-profile environmental incidents.
- Created media, employee, and marketing communications strategies for the $11.6 billion acquisition by The Dow Chemical Company, ensuring seamless messaging and integration.
Vice President, Corporate Group
SHANDWICK WORLDWIDE
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Led a 17-person team supporting Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. during a national onslaught of health-based product liability litigation, providing counsel on proactive and reactive media relations, public affairs, and crisis management.
- Advised Executive Management Team on litigation communication strategies and message development for individual filings, class action litigation, and state attorney general lawsuits.
- Counseled and rehearsed corporate spokespersons and executives for appearances on major network news programs, including 60 Minutes, Dateline, Frontline, and Burden of Proof, navigating complex health-related public scrutiny.
Manager, Public Affairs
RHONE-POULENC BASIC CHEMICALS CO.
01.1991 - 01.1995
- Devised and executed comprehensive news media, community relations, and government affairs strategy to secure federal operating permits for hazardous waste sites, achieving U.S. EPA approval for two treatment facilities.
- Earned "Premier Achievement Award" for a crisis communication strategy following a fatal plant explosion, demonstrating rapid response and effective messaging under extreme pressure.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL05-1983
Skills
- Crisis and legal communication expertise
- Brand reputation management
- Communications strategy development
- Media Relations & Public Affairs
- Government & Regulatory Affairs
- Investor & Financial Communications
- Executive & Internal Communications
- Community outreach
- Stakeholder & Community Relations
- Organizational change management
- Compliance and governance messaging
- Collaborative leadership
Websites
Timeline
Associate Vice President, Communications
Wells Fargo, N.A.
01.2021 - Current
Managing Director
Evolving World Communications
01.2011 - 01.2021
Vice President, Corporate Communications
The Shaw Group
06.2007 - 04.2009
Senior Consultant
Institute for Crisis Management
01.2007 - 01.2021
Vice President, Corporate Communications
FLOWSERVE CORP.
08.2000 - 06.2005
Director, Corporate Communications
UNION CARBIDE CORP.
03.1998 - 07.2000
Vice President, Corporate Group
SHANDWICK WORLDWIDE
01.1996 - 01.1998
Manager, Public Affairs
RHONE-POULENC BASIC CHEMICALS CO.
01.1991 - 01.1995
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Northern Illinois University