Senior Director, Crisis Communications – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

About the role

The Senior Director will play a leadership role in developing and managing crisis communications response strategies for companies facing active cybersecurity attacks or threats. Additionally, this position will lead cybersecurity communications preparedness projects, tabletop exercises, and other specialized offerings within the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications practice.

This position will take an active role in helping to strategically grow our Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications business and provide oversight to teams working on incident response and preparedness matters. Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Develop strategic proposals and communications plans for clients and new business prospects
• Serve as a primary client contact, providing strategic counsel directly to clients in meetings, conference calls and while working on client sites
• Project manage multiple workstreams, client/legal approval processes and document development to ensure deadlines are met and objectives are achieved
• Manage teams and processes as they relate to tracking and triaging client’s stakeholder inquiries (i.e. media, employees, customers, regulators, etc.) during live incidents
• Work with peers across borders on incidents that require a 24x7 follow-the-sun approach to managing the crisis
• Anticipate client needs and concerns and work to proactively address them
• Work with other senior leaders to make staffing decisions on various accounts
• Drive new business pursuits, including the development of thought leadership, identification of business prospects and ongoing networking on behalf of the firm
• Support team training and professional development and serve as a performance manager to select junior staff
• Manage profitability and utilization on multiple projects and accounts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of crisis/issues management and/or cybersecurity experience in relevant roles serving clients and developing new business
• Prior client service, consulting, agency experience is a must
• Ability to advise and secure confidence of senior communications and C-level client contacts, as well as outside legal counsel and other advisors
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and written and verbal presentation skills
• Proven project management track record and comfort managing and working with staff at all levels
• Proficient in creating project plans, rollouts and roadmaps as well as using various AI and project management tools
• Experience in cybersecurity and data privacy matters
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and a service-oriented attitude
• Ability to work under pressing deadlines and portray calm during high stakes situation to clients and other team members
• Track record of managing communications with multiple stakeholders (investors, employees, customers, media, etc.) during crisis events
• Travel required to clients and to FTI office(s)