Managing Director, People & Transformation, Change Management| Strategic Communications

FTI Consulting•Chicago, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

FTI Strategic Communications is currently looking for a Managing Director in our People & Transformation practice who will lead change management, leader enablement, and employee engagement programs as part of multi-disciplinary teams supporting integration and transformation. The successful Managing Director will apply a human-centric approach to change management, with a focus on effective communication, training, leader enablement and feedback loops – NOT process or program management. As a senior strategist working directly with C-suite management, Boards and other advisors, the Managing Director must be able to nimbly build programs aligned with clients’ culture and goals. They must thrive in fast-paced environments, be able to adapt proven best practices to the realities of an individual client’s situation, remain adaptable to other points of view and ways of working, and bring stakeholders along in each stage of the process. We are looking for someone who still loves to be in the work, teach as they do, and deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients in a wide variety of situations. A successful Managing Director understands and lives by FTI’s values, Code of Ethics and the Strategic Communications Rules of Practice. Additional information about FTI’s values, Code of Ethics and the Strategic Communications Rules of Practice can be accessed here . FTI professionals must act with the highest level of integrity at all times and hold our clients accountable for the same. The Managing Director must be able to manage multiple clients, direct and coach teams of varying experience levels, ensure projects remain on schedule and on budget, and proactively identify opportunities to expand the relationship both during and after the restructuring event. Some travel may be required ─ including the possibility of being a key contributor to onsite client engagements, but this is NOT a traditional on-the-road consulting role. Travel is more the exception than the norm.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
10 years of experience in communications, including demonstrated experience leading the people side of major business transformations such as integrations, restructurings, cost take-outs, operating model shifts, technology and AI adoption, etc.
Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor to clients at the seniormost levels of an organization, providing strong, experienced-based counsel while also remaining adaptable to alternative approaches and points of view
Proven project management skills and the ability to proactively manage a client relationship in ways that achieve client goals and ensure all deadlines are met
Proven people/team management skills and experience; candidates must demonstrate a strong desire to teach, an openness to differing points of view, and an ability to remain positive under pressure
Excellent written and oral presentation skills
Strong time and priority management skills and an ability to juggle multiple client accounts
Desire and ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, deadline-oriented, dynamic environment
High level of integrity and sensitivity to confidential information
Service-oriented attitude
Strong work ethic and an ability to be a self-starter
This role requires travel to clients and FTI offices

Nice To Haves

Prosci® or similar change management certification

Responsibilities

Serve as a day-to-day client lead on accounts, managing the overall quality of work and representing the team in client meetings, video calls and while working at client sites
Present confidently to C-suite executives as a trusted advisor and keep stakeholders engaged at each stage of the project; work as a supportive partner to your client leads
Develop and lead the execution of communication strategies that ensure all stakeholders receive timely and accurate information about the planned change(s); demonstrate a deep understanding of the communications ecosystem beyond the employee audience and incorporate expertise from across the FTI platform to deliver the best outcomes for our clients
Complement effective communication with change management strategies designed to build capability, accelerate progress, mitigate resistance, address feedback, and otherwise support client objectives
Track program KPIs as part of a broader PMO structure, adapting strategies and execution as needed to keep projects on time and on budget; be able to propose more than one strategy to achieve a goal
Manage up and down – often across multiple teams – to ensure work is tightly coordinated
Develop and manage to client budgets and oversee billing
Anticipate client needs and concerns and proactively work with senior leaders to address them
Build internal and external referral sources via ongoing networking, collaborating seamlessly as part of a client’s advisory team and earning trust for future engagements
Originate, win and expand engagements through the development of strong client and referral source relationships, offerings tailored to the moment and to repeatable points of sale, strategic proposals, thought leadership and other related initiatives
Demonstrate a deep understanding of FTI’s capabilities and create opportunities beyond their own expertise
Lead the development of new offerings that address needs in the marketplace
Participate as a member of the People & Transformation senior leadership team, shaping our strategic direction and talent development strategy
Serve as a subject matter expert in change management and employee engagement, continually advancing your own knowledge and helping to grow the bench in the specialty area
Contribute to practice leadership, including efforts to mentor and train other team members; share and continue to build upon best practices and foster trusted relationships with colleagues across the business
Participate in firm initiatives (e.g., learning and development, diversity and inclusion, community service and/or other task forces) designed to create a strong culture and/or build FTI Consulting's brand externally
Coach more junior team members, helping to set SMART goals, providing ongoing feedback and support and delivering thoughtful semi-annual reviews