Position Overview
FGS Global is seeking an Associate Director, Financial Communications to join our Houston team. Working at the intersection of business, finance, litigation, and public policy, the Associate Director position is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in strategic communications, financial public relations, investor relations and crisis management to develop research, writing, and media skills at a prestigious firm with high-profile clients.
Associate Directors work with clients in all industries on both long-term communications assignments such as profile raising, executive transitions, private capital; and high-profile special situations such as complex mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and shareholder activist defense, quarterly earnings support, issues and crisis management, corporate governance matters and litigation support.
The Associate Director position is hybrid with an expectation of at least three days per week in the office, based in our Houston office.
The ideal candidate must be a strategic thinker with strong writing and analytical skills, along with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and present complex stories within a clear and compelling messaging framework. While this professional may come from any number of backgrounds, some knowledge of or experience in financial and corporate communications; capital markets; and/or investor relations is strongly preferred.
Responsibilities:
Manage day-to-day execution of both long-term communications assignments and special situations for clients in all industries (e.g., M&A, restructurings, shareholder activism, investor-related issues, crises, corporate governance, litigation support, etc.).
Function as an account project manager, including assigning responsibilities, anticipating account needs, and ensuring activities are completed on-time, while providing strategic and tactical support to senior team members.
Serve as the center for information on accounts with knowledge of everything that is going on with the account.
Ownership for developing materials (e.g., strategic communications plans, press releases, investor presentations, shareholder letters, talking points, Q&As, etc.).
Build and manage media relationships, including responding to inbound inquiries and serving as a spokesperson for clients.
Be a mentor and role model for junior account staff by leading through actions – being prepared, proactive, and available, with a “can do” attitude.
Engage directly with clients and advisors, representing our recommendations or position on issues that have a financial, brand, and/or business impact.
Support new business opportunities in the market and working to strengthen and expand existing client relationships with compelling ideas and excellent service.
Embrace and embody the FGS value proposition, which combines total candor with sophisticated judgement gained through experience.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required.
5+ years of relevant experience in financial services, strategic communications, investor relations, or a related field.
Client focused, with a high bar for quality and results.
Outstanding writing skills, including excellent proofreading skills.
Highly collaborative, with strong communications skills, and able to work well in teams.
Strong time management and organizational skills, and an ability to seamlessly balance multiple assignments and client situations simultaneously.
Confidence and presence to collaborate effectively with senior members of account teams and client in high-stakes situations.
Well-rounded, adaptable, and detailed-oriented individual comfortable working through challenges.
Solid judgment and the capacity to accurately assess complicated situations and ask the right questions.
Highly motivated and calm under pressure.
The ability to oversee and help mentor junior staff.
Well-honed project management skills.
Mature, with good judgement with the ability to engage with people at all levels.
Technological proficiency, well versed in Microsoft Office, experience with Bloomberg a plus.
An interest in business, public policy and regulatory issues.
A quick learner, who is prepared to jump in at a moment’s notice.
About FGS Global
FGS Global is the world’s leading stakeholder strategy firm, with approximately 1,400 professionals around the world, advising clients in navigating critical issues and reputational challenges. FGS was formed from the combination of Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener and Sard Verbinnen & Co to offer board-level and C-suite counsel in all aspects of stakeholder strategy — including corporate reputation, crisis management, and public affairs and is also the leading force in transaction and financial communications worldwide.
FGS offers seamless and integrated support with offices in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Brussels, Calgary, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Kingston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, South Florida, The Hague, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, D.C., and Zurich. The firm is headquartered in New York.
For the third consecutive year in 2024, FGS was ranked as the #1 Global M&A PR firm by deal count and value in 2024 by Mergermarket. FGS is also consistently ranked a Band 1 PR firm for Crisis & Risk Management and for Litigation Support by Chambers and Partners.
What We Offer:
Competitive compensation package, commensurate with experience
Annual profit-sharing model, aka annual performance bonus
Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k)-plan with a generous company match
Generous paid time off
A collaborative group of smart, passionate and highly motivated people.
Team-oriented work environment structured to provide opportunities for professional growth and development.