Strategic Communications Director
FTI Consulting's Strategic Communications team is seeking an experienced Director to lead paid media planning and execution for clients in Washington DC. This role is ideal for seasoned professionals with experience at premier media planning and placement or public affairs media firms who are ready to leverage their expertise in a global consulting environment.
We are looking for a strategic media professional with deep experience in public affairs campaigns, political advertising, and advocacy communications. You will be responsible for directing paid media with a primary focus on public affairs activations, leveraging audience data, overseeing external vendors where applicable, and assisting with campaign budgeting, fulfillment, performance reporting, optimization and financial reporting.
As part of FTI's Strategic Communications segment, you'll work on complex public affairs campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and government entities, providing strategic counsel that shapes public opinion and drives policy outcomes.
What You Will Do
- Lead comprehensive paid media strategies for public affairs, advocacy, and corporate reputation campaigns
- Integrate advanced audience research and behavioral data into sophisticated targeting strategies
- Develop multi-platform media plans spanning digital, traditional, and emerging channels
- Serve as a strategic advisor on media planning and audience engagement for corporate and association clients
Hands-On Execution
Execute direct media buys across platforms including Facebook / Meta, Google Ads, LinkedIn, Twitter / X, YouTube, and emerging social networksManage programmatic advertising campaigns and negotiate direct publisher relationshipsOversee connected TV (CTV), over-the-top (OTT), and streaming audio placementsDirect sophisticated audience modeling and lookalike targeting strategiesTrack and manage paid media budgets and invoices; coordinate closely with the finance department to ensure accurate reconciliation and timely paymentsVendor Management & Optimization
Manage relationships with specialized political and public affairs media vendorsOversee external agencies and freelance specialists for specialized placementsLead real-time campaign optimization based on performance metrics and shifting political landscapesCoordinate with polling, research, and creative teams for integrated campaign deliveryClient Advisory
Provide strategic counsel on media mix optimization and budget allocationPresent campaign performance insights and recommendations to senior stakeholdersIdentify opportunities to expand FTI's digital capabilities within existing client relationshipsHow You'll Grow
We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You'll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth.
What You Will Need To Succeed
Basic Qualifications :
5-8 years of progressive experience in public affairs, political advertising, or advocacy media buyingProven track record managing monthly budgets of $500K+ across multiple simultaneous campaignsExperience with crisis communications and rapid-response media activationBackground working with corporate, association, or political clients on complex public affairs initiativesTechnical Expertise
Audience Insights Platforms : Proficiency with Catalist, TargetSmart, Aristotle, or similar voter / consumer databasesMedia Buying Software : Hands-on experience with platforms such as :Political / Advocacy : Campaign Grid, Campaign Manager, Political Ad TrackerProgrammatic : The Trade Desk, StackAdapt, Google Display & Video 360, Amazon DSPSocial : Facebook Business Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, Twitter AdsPlanning Tools : Comscore, Nielsen, Kantar, ScarboroughAnalytics & Reporting : Advanced skills in Google Analytics, Facebook Analytics, and campaign reporting dashboardsExperience with polling integration and message testing platformsCore Competencies
Deep understanding of Washington DC media landscape and political ecosystemExpertise in audience segmentation, persuasion modeling, and voter / stakeholder targetingStrong analytical skills with ability to translate complex data into actionable insightsExceptional project management abilities with experience managing multiple concurrent campaignsSuperior written and verbal communication skills for client-facing interactionsPreferred Qualifications
Political campaign experience (federal, state, or local)Corporate communications or crisis management experienceKnowledge of lobbying, and advocacy advertising compliance requirements#J-18808-Ljbffr
