Senior Manager, Communications

Summary of the Opportunity

The senior manager, communications, helps lead the Forum’s communications strategy, in particular as the point person on third-party engagement, relationships with reporters and editors from TV, radio, podcasts, and other media, and rapid response.

The Organization

The Financial Services Forum is an economic policy and advocacy organization whose members are the eight largest and most diversified financial institutions headquartered in the United States. Forum member institutions are a leading source of lending and investment in the United States and serve millions of consumers, businesses, investors, and communities throughout the country. The Forum promotes policies that support savings and investment, financial inclusion, deep and liquid capital markets, a competitive global marketplace, and a sound financial system.

The Role

Strategic Communications

• Coordinates with CCO and FSF team on communications strategy and communications materials in support of the organization’s and members’ positions and objectives
• Supports collaboration with the Forum CEO and CCO and communications teams from member firms, as needed
• Leads initiatives to communicate and amplify value of Forum firms to important Washington, D.C. audiences in close coordination with outside communications firm(s), and Forum CEO and staff

External Engagement

• Leads third-party relationship development and management in close coordination with the CEO, head of research, CCO, members, and other Forum leaders, regularly initiating and seeking opportunities for engagement
• Strengthens and maintains the Forum’s relationships with TV, radio and podcast producers, regularly seeking opportunities for engagement
•  Leads rapid response for the Forum, working with the Forum team to decide when and how to respond and oversee execution. Maintains a database of relevant issues with potential responses, including draft statements and social content and supporting data, information and statements
• With oversight of the CCO, discusses issues of interest to the Forum with media, coordinates discussions between reporters and internal subject matter experts
• Assists (Senior) Manager, Digital Strategy, on event promotion

Content Strategy / Development

• Drafts and reviews written content, including press releases, statements, OpEds, letters to the editor, information for one-pagers, fact sheets, etc.
• With (Senior) Manager, Digital Strategy, oversees video creation, with a particular focus on topic selection and script writing
• Serves as backup on social media and website work

General Communications Support

• Regularly reviews content written by others for grammar, accuracy, and tone
• Conducts research into key issues to support communications work
• Keeps up to date on public relations trends and developments
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directly supervises the communications associate. Primary responsibilities include assigning and reviewing work and regularly providing opportunities to foster the associate’s development.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• At least eight years of experience in public relations/affairs, working at a PR firm, association, on political campaigns, in the government, or in the private sector
• Experience in independently managing projects or campaigns with multiple parts and deadlines
• Experience working with consultants or other contractors
• Experience in media relations, social media, and managing a brand’s digital presence desired
• Interest in the financial services industry, key policies and trends

Competencies

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Ability to understand, distill and communicate complicated policy issues or financial topics to a variety of audiences
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Diligence in following up on inquiries and tasks with media, members, consultants, and other external partners
• Ability to effectively manage other employees to achieve established goals and objectives
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and assignments and keep team members informed of progress
• Ability to confidently engage with communications professionals within member firms on approaches and tactics
• Ability to be a flexible and positive team player
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Chief Communications Officer.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000. Additionally, the Forum provides a generous benefit package including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with matching contribution, FSA/HSA, and paid time off.

Work Environment

This position is based in a professional environment in Washington, D.C., and requires work to be performed within the Forum’s office or in accordance with any remote work policy that may be offered by the Forum. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones, in addition to virtual meeting platforms such as MS Teams and Zoom. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this job consistent with federal, state, and local standards.

Occasional out-of-town travel is required for this position. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Persons with mental or physical disabilities as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act are eligible for this position if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.

The Financial Services Forum provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals. We do not discriminate based on race, color, genetic information, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, marital status, citizenship status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, disability, matriculation, political affiliation of any individual, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

The above-referenced job description is a guideline designed to present an overview of the position and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of responsibilities and requirements.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to careers@fsforum.com.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.