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

FINRA•Washington, DC

1d•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 Corporate Communications, the Director uses enterprise tools, channels, and expertise to expand reach, influence, and impact across key audiences and to help shape communications strategies, positioning, and stakeholder engagement approaches. This senior individual contributor serves as a trusted advisor to Business Unit and Corporate Communications leadership, providing strategic counsel on communications opportunities, reputational considerations, and complex, high-profile initiatives. The role calls for a strong understanding of technology and its role 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. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Actual compensation depends on factors including location, skills, experience, education, and market considerations. FINRA describes additional employee investment disclosure and account restrictions under its Code of Conduct.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in communications.
Proven ability to develop, execute, and measure strategic communications plans that advance business objectives and enterprise priorities.
Demonstrated 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.
Strong ability to evaluate communications opportunities, risks, and stakeholder considerations and recommend effective communications strategies.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and deliver results across multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
Ability to operate effectively and credibly within a large, complex corporate environment.
Proven ability to influence and build effective relationships across organizational levels, including senior leadership, subject-matter experts, and cross-functional partners.
Sound judgment and discretion in 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 in financial services, including market infrastructure, data analytics, and emerging technologies, and experience communicating complex technical initiatives to diverse audiences.
Fundamental understanding of financial markets, including market structure, trading, and the regulatory landscape, with the ability to apply that knowledge to strategic communications.

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 coordinated communications support and a unified enterprise voice; independently resolve complex cross-functional communications challenges with limited oversight.
Develop communications plans aligned with business unit goals, gaining early visibility into annual 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; recommend communications strategies, positioning, and approaches to reputational considerations for initiatives, products, and milestones.
Identify compelling narratives, proof points, research, and subject-matter expertise and translate them into clear, audience-focused communications across appropriate organic and paid channels.
Use 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 in discussions with business units about proposed publications and key events, including those with heightened visibility, reputational considerations, or enterprise impact.
Anticipate and prepare for criticism, negative coverage, and issues; partner with Corporate Communications to recommend strategies that 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 business issues.
Demonstrate FINRA's values and collaborate in person and virtually in furtherance of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and related 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, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.
Paid time off starting at 15 days and increasing with years of service up to 25 days.
Five personal days and nine sick days, prorated in the first year where applicable.
Two volunteer service days based on a full-time schedule.
Military, jury duty, bereavement, voting and election official, family member care, childbirth, and parental leave, subject to the stated eligibility terms where applicable.
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.
Eligible non-exempt employees may receive overtime pay in accordance with applicable law.
Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.