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Form of workJob Description
Overview:
The Director – Communications and Public Relations plays a vital role in driving external visibility for the internal audit profession and The Institute of Internal Auditors. This leader will expand our relationships with media and other stakeholders, drive executive leader engagement and visibility, lead crisis communications, and create messages that inspire, motivate and engage internal and external partners.
Responsibilities:
- Develop the strategy: Identify annual and long-term goals for the communications and PR team. Define specific KPIs and create a strategy for achieving them. Partner closely with other departments to identify storytelling opportunities, define messaging, and develop activities. Distill complex and highly technical messages and ideas into meaningful content, adapted by audience. Develop detailed communication plans by message and integrate into calendar of corporate communications events and announcements.
- Engage the media: Write press releases and story pitches that are clear, interesting and relevant. Plan media tours and desk-side briefings for journalists. Respond to incoming media inquiries with urgency and resourcefulness. Pitch stories and meet with reporters to develop relationships and keep The IIA and the internal audit profession top of mind as topical news issues arise.
- Act as primary communicator and coach for senior leaders: Serve as the primary writer for senior leaders, including the CEO, crafting speeches and talking points, scripts, social media content, leadership notes and press release quotes for external events and media interviews, as well as internal events and employee engagements.
- Lead crisis management: Ensure successful implementation of crisis communications strategy as issues arise.
- Measure and improve: Establish key performance indicators of success. Track and measure impact of communications program, define implications for future activities and monitor improvements.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Skills:
- Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university and 10+ years of experience in Public Relations, journalism and/or corporate communications. MBA or Masters in communications a plus.
- Successful track record of media placement, ideally in the business and/or finance sector. Experience working directly with journalists.
- Ability to think and communicate clearly and be able to formulate a clear viewpoint on complicated issues, creating a concise and well-written narrative to express this opinion; exceptional writing and editing abilities are a must.
- High business acumen with an ability to see around corners for longer-range communications implications.
- Inventive mentality and an orientation toward building and encouraging positive relationships inside and outside; highly reciprocal.
- Strong influencing skills with experience navigating and aligning across organizational silos.
- Flexible and able to adapt to changing scenarios, remaining calm under pressure, someone who patiently and diligently leads to completion.
- Comfort with issues management and mitigation.
- Fast thinker with a bias for action, delivering results with high standards, under tight deadlines.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This individual will have one direct report, with the potential to grow the team over the next year. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training; planning, assigning, and directing employee(s)’ work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this business unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
