Director, Public Affairs

Investment Company Institute•Washington, DC

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Investment Company Institute (ICI) is seeking a Director, Public Affairs to join its Strategic Communications department. This role is crucial for strengthening the asset management industry and benefiting long-term individual investors. The Public Affairs team handles media relations, social media, digital engagement, website management, and rapid response. The Director will serve as a spokesperson, manage media outreach, draft communication materials, and support ICI's policy initiatives by promoting the regulated investment fund industry and its viewpoints on various issues.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 8 - 10 years of experience in policy communication or related field.
Strong writing and editing skills with quick turn-around times and the ability to meet deadlines.
Self-starter who can take initiative while working closely with the Senior Director, Public Affairs.
Ability to rapidly develop in-depth understanding of key issues.
Experience in media interview preparation for principals.
Ability to think creatively and strategically.
Ability to handle multiple tasks on deadline.
Ability to work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications team and across other departments within ICI.
Sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of financial services industry, asset management, and retirement policy issues strongly preferred.
Previous media, communications, or executive branch/Capitol Hill experience.
Familiarity with financial and trade media.

Responsibilities

Lead daily proactive media efforts, establish relationships with reporters, raise issues, and correct reports where needed.
Monitor media coverage for new contacts, trends, and corrections, and initiate outreach efforts.
Condense and effectively convey messages to the media, both proactively and reactively.
Cultivate and maintain national, trade, and international media relationships.
Serve as an on-the-record media spokesperson when directed.
Handle interview preparation for principals, including message development and coaching.
Coordinate with Subject Matter Experts across various departments.
Collaborate with the Strategic Communications team to ensure messaging consistency across all channels.
Anticipate potential communication challenges or crisis situations, devising proactive strategies and messaging to mitigate risks and protect the association's reputation.
Draft internal and external talking points, statements, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces.
Collaborate with the Editorial team to draft and pitch editorial content advocating policy positions.
Assist in developing and implementing media relations strategies that advance Institute policy goals.
Participate in the formulation of ICI’s communications goals and objectives.
Spearhead the management of press materials, including press releases, statements, and press lists.
Oversee the systematic tracking of media mentions for comprehensive visibility and impact assessment.
Work constructively with other Institute departments in the furtherance of ICI policy objectives.
Manage external vendors.