Director, Strategic Business Communications- Market and Regulatory Services and Technology

FINRA•Washington, DC

3d•$134,400 - $312,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Business Communications serves as a primary liaison between assigned FINRA business units, subject-matter portfolios, and Corporate Communications. The Director partners with business unit leaders and subject-matter experts to develop and execute external communications strategies that advance FINRA’s enterprise messaging, mission-focused narrative, business priorities, and audience engagement goals. As part of the Corporate Communications team, the Director uses enterprise tools, channels, and expertise to expand reach, influence, and impact across key audiences, while helping shape communications strategies, positioning, and stakeholder engagement approaches. This is a senior individual-contributor role and trusted-advisor position, providing strategic counsel to business unit and Corporate Communications leadership on communications opportunities, reputational considerations, and complex, high-profile initiatives. The role calls for a strong understanding of technology in financial services—including market infrastructure, data analytics, and emerging technologies—and experience communicating complex technical initiatives to diverse audiences. Candidates should also have a fundamental understanding of financial markets, including market structure, trading, and the regulatory landscape, and be able to apply that knowledge to strategic communications. The position operates in a hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements; extended hours may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
At least 10 years of professional communications experience.
Proven ability to develop, execute, and measure strategic communications plans that advance business objectives and enterprise priorities.
Experience providing strategic communications counsel to senior executives and business leaders on high-profile initiatives and sensitive matters.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex business, regulatory, and technical information into clear, compelling communications.
Ability to assess communications opportunities, risks, and stakeholder considerations and recommend effective strategies.
Ability to lead complex projects and drive results across multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
Ability to operate credibly and effectively in a large, complex corporate environment.
Ability to influence and build effective relationships across organizational levels, including senior leadership, subject-matter experts, and cross-functional partners.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, and reputationally significant matters.
Ability to use data, audience insights, and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve communications strategies and outcomes.
Strong understanding of technology and its role in financial services, including market infrastructure, data analytics, and emerging technologies.
Fundamental understanding of financial markets, including market structure, trading, and the regulatory landscape.

Nice To Haves

Significant corporate, agency, financial services, and/or Capitol Hill experience.

Responsibilities

Partner with assigned business units to develop and execute external communications strategies, go-to-market plans, executive engagement, messaging, communications materials, and events aligned with enterprise priorities.
Serve as a strategic liaison between assigned business units and the Corporate Communications Center of Excellence, ensuring consistent communications support and a unified enterprise voice while resolving complex cross-functional communications challenges.
Develop communications plans supporting business unit goals by gaining early visibility into plans, priorities, strategies, and challenges, and identifying implications for FINRA’s reputation and external stakeholder engagement.
Participate in cross-functional Corporate Communications reviews with media, executive communications, web, social, creative, and internal communications subject-matter experts to align strategies for initiatives, products, and milestones.
Recommend communications approaches, positioning, and responses to potential reputational considerations.
Identify compelling narratives, proof points, research, and subject-matter expertise, translating them into clear, audience-focused communications across appropriate organic and paid channels.
Surface business unit expertise to enhance and formalize enterprise-level storytelling and Corporate Communications-owned gold-source messaging.
Maintain regular touchpoints with business unit contacts and engage directly with subject-matter experts and senior business leaders to shape external strategies and identify communications opportunities.
Represent Corporate Communications when partnering with business units on proposed publications and key events, including those with heightened visibility, reputational considerations, or enterprise impact.
Anticipate and prepare for criticism, negative coverage, and issues; recommend communications strategies to mitigate reputational risk and support organizational objectives.
Guide and mentor business unit colleagues on communications techniques, processes, and best practices, including approaches to complex or sensitive issues.
Demonstrate FINRA’s values and collaborate in person and virtually in furtherance of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Benefits

Discretionary bonus may be available in addition to base pay.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, and legal insurance.
Immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match.
Eligibility to participate in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
Tuition reimbursement.
Commuter benefits.
Adoption assistance, backup family care, and surrogacy benefits.
Employee assistance and wellness programs.
Paid time off starting at 15 days, increasing with years of service up to 25 days.
Five personal days and nine sick days.
Two volunteer service days for full-time schedules.
Paid military, jury duty, bereavement, voting and election official, family member care, childbirth, and parental leave, subject to the stated conditions.
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.
Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable law.