Director Corporate Reputation and Public Affairs (DC Metro Preferred)

Location: Washington, Palo Alto, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Irvine, Los Angeles, Denver, Stamford, Hartford, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Kansas City,  New Orleans,  Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, St Louis, Las Vegas, Hoboken, Iselin, New York, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Portland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Salt Lake City, McLean, Richmond, Seattle, Milwaukee

Director Corporate Reputation and Public Affairs

Join our Brand, Marketing and Communications (BMC) team!

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Reputation and Public Affairs Director who will be responsible for shaping and executing high-impact Public Relations, Public Affairs and communications strategies to protect and strengthen EY’s brand and reputation. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in reputation management including public relations and communications, crisis and issues management and experience leading regulatory and legislative communications.

The Opportunity

This leadership position reports directly to the Americas Chief Communications Officer and is a critical member of the Americas Communications executive leadership team. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence and drive the strategic direction of EY’s communications efforts across the Americas. You will have the chance to work closely with senior executives, providing strategic counsel on a full range of PR and public affairs strategies to ensure they align with firm priorities.  Your role will be pivotal in leveraging both traditional and digital channels to drive EY messages, managing media relations during crisis situations, and serving as an official media spokesperson when appropriate. Additionally, you will be responsible for identifying reputational risks and working closely with key stakeholders to mitigate them. This position also involves developing and coaching high-performing communications team members, collaborating with senior leadership to understand business objectives, and contributing to the strategic development of integrated campaigns that promote the firm’s brand and capabilities.

Your key responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel to senior executives on a full range of opportunities and firm priorities; strong understanding of the rapidly evolving media landscape and the opportunities to fully leverage both traditional and digital channels to drive EY messages.
• Support senior executives with top-tier media opportunities including messaging development, briefings, and media training; strong experience and skills in developing compelling talking points and media soundbites.
• Work closely with the Americas Chief Communications Officer to manage all media relations related to crisis situations and issues management. Serve as official media spokesperson, where appropriate.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends to advise on communication opportunities and risks.
• Identify reputational risks and the ways they can be mitigated, working closely with the Americas Chief Communications Officer, Americas Office of the Managing Partner Communications Leader, Americas Internal Communications Leader, and GCO on crisis and issues management.
• Develop proactive communications campaigns to champion public policy content and key thought leadership priorities that align to the firm’s strategy and business objectives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Office of Public Policy on matters related to the engagement of policymakers and regulators.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Develop and coach high-performing communications team members.
• Collaborate with EY senior leadership and marketing and communications colleagues to deeply understand business objectives and contribute to the strategic development of integrated campaigns which promote the firm’s brand and capabilities.
• Direct press release and press statement strategy and oversee press collateral development.
• Develop and foster positive relationships with key journalists and editors.
• Manage and maximize PR agency relationships including budgets, contracts, and general oversight.
• Prepare and present regular reports on PR activities, media impact, and strategic outcomes to senior leadership.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strategic thinking, specifically anticipating issues on complex and/or sensitive matters and bringing solutions.
• Proven track record of effectively managing and enhancing corporate reputation.
• Deep and current expertise in external and internal communications, and experience with sensitive communications and crisis.
• Ability to manage key resources needed to execute and develop junior team members.
• Strong media relations, issues management, and crisis communications skills, as well as a knowledge base in digital communications and social media.
• Ability to act quickly and effectively under pressure, in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated skills to work well with competing priorities and manage projects involving multiple people from across a highly matrixed organization.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, and demonstrated success drafting and placing statements, press releases, and by-lines.

To qualify for the role, you must have:

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in public relations and communications, preferably within a professional services firm or other large global companies.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications or a similar area or equivalent work experience. Advanced degree highly desirable.
• Expertise with regulatory matters and public affairs communications
• Experience in dealing with senior leaders and high comfort level in providing guidance and feedback on media issues/topics.
• Track record of both supervising and leading high-performing and talented teams.
• Extensive media relationships across key media outlets.

Other requirements

• This role requires travel throughout the US.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.