Associate, Financial Institutions Group

Brunswick Group•Washington, DC

4h•$130,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Brunswick Group is seeking an Associate to join our growing Financial Institutions Group in New York or Washington, DC. Brunswick’s Financial Institutions Group advises the world’s leading financial services organizations on how to solve complex, multi-stakeholder challenges while navigating regulation across geographies in a highly scrutinized and volatile environment. Drawing on our global expertise in media, capital markets, policy, law, research, and crisis and issues management, we develop communications strategies that build and protect corporate reputation over the long term, and through critical moments including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, capital raisings, leadership changes, governance matters, and responses to activist shareholders. About the Role: Client Contribution & Handling Serve as an expert advisor to clients on reputation, financial and crisis situations Provide relevant insight, guidance and advice to clients Play an integral role in the new business process; manage RFPs and participate in pitch preparation Deliver strategic advice to clients, drawing on financial institutions communications expertise and depth of professional advisory experience - and contributing to formulation of advice on strategy and communications approach Represent the firm in discussions of complex situations with senior executives at client organizations Seve as the main point of contact for clients in day-to-day communications. Demonstrate deep knowledge of the clients’ businesses and strategic communications issues Monitor level of account profitability and intervening as necessary Communication Skills Write thoughtful, well-structured content; considering audience in style and tone of communications Express a well-developed point of view; analyzing and distilling complex information Exhibit good judgment and exercising discretion Question and challenge in a constructive way; presenting unpopular ideas confidently Team Management Manage and mentor team members; work with Partners and Directors on the day-to-day management of staff and client deliverables Manage the development of key client documents by playing a vital role in drafting, editing and routing throughout the internal process and external delivery Oversee research assignments; distill large volumes of information into the most impactful and helpful insights Plan and execute client announcements and events, managing: Preparation of strategic communications documents including talking points, Q&As, day-of rollouts, media backgrounders, etc. Media handling and approach Announcement or event logistics

Requirements

7-10+ years of relevant work experience in an advisory role focused on corporate reputation, financial and crisis situations
Deep understanding of business and finance
Ability to operate effectively in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment
Exceptional written and verbal communication ability
Energetic team player with strong self-motivation
Experience managing teams and passionate about mentoring junior staff
Ability to think strategically and creatively, with strong problem-solving skills
Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask in high-pressure situations
Exhibit discretion with confidential client matters
Knowledge of the media landscape
Knowledge of Factiva, Bloomberg and other research resources

Nice To Haves

A rising advisor with experience counseling financial institution clients on business-critical issues (e.g. crisis, M&A, financial situations, geopolitical, etc.)
Adept at navigating and succeeding within high-performance, entrepreneurial environments
Excellent communicator with professional polish and strong emotional intelligence
Entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit
Desire to mentor and willingness to train junior staff
Terrific sense of humor

Responsibilities

Serve as an expert advisor to clients on reputation, financial and crisis situations
Provide relevant insight, guidance and advice to clients
Play an integral role in the new business process; manage RFPs and participate in pitch preparation
Deliver strategic advice to clients, drawing on financial institutions communications expertise and depth of professional advisory experience - and contributing to formulation of advice on strategy and communications approach
Represent the firm in discussions of complex situations with senior executives at client organizations
Serve as the main point of contact for clients in day-to-day communications.
Demonstrate deep knowledge of the clients’ businesses and strategic communications issues
Monitor level of account profitability and intervening as necessary
Write thoughtful, well-structured content; considering audience in style and tone of communications
Express a well-developed point of view; analyzing and distilling complex information
Exhibit good judgment and exercising discretion
Question and challenge in a constructive way; presenting unpopular ideas confidently
Manage and mentor team members; work with Partners and Directors on the day-to-day management of staff and client deliverables
Manage the development of key client documents by playing a vital role in drafting, editing and routing throughout the internal process and external delivery
Oversee research assignments; distill large volumes of information into the most impactful and helpful insights
Plan and execute client announcements and events
Foster a network of journalist contacts and relationships
Develop relationships with the analyst and investor community to understand issues and priorities
Proactively build a network locally to identify talent referrals, new business prospects and media contacts

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health savings account
Life insurance
Commuter Benefits
Generous Paid Time Off: 25 vacation days and 10 days sick leave, as well as 11 paid company holidays
Firm-sponsored 401(k) Plan with 3% automatic company contribution of base and bonus with an additional 1.5% profit share– immediate vesting
Career training and development opportunities
Employee discounts