Director, Cyber Crisis Communications

FTI Consulting; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Consulting is seeking a Director, Crisis Communications – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy to lead strategic crisis communications for major cyber incidents and preparedness projects. You’ll manage multi-stakeholder communications, oversee workstreams, and mentor junior staff within a flexible hybrid team.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in crisis/comms, strong project management, and experience guiding executives through high-stakes incidents while collaborating across firms and industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years in crisis/issues management, cybersecurity, or corporate communications.
• Track record of coordinating with multiple stakeholders during crises.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Prior client service, consulting or agency experience.
• Strong mentoring and team leadership experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to clients and offices.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic proposals and communications plans for clients and new business.
• Serve as primary client contact in meetings and on client sites.
• Manage client projects, ensuring deadlines and rollouts.
• Draft or review materials for key stakeholders and media.
• Support thought leadership and market positioning.
• Mentor junior team members and foster talent.
• Coordinate with larger account teams as needed.

Skills

Crisis management

Cybersecurity

Corporate communications

Stakeholder management

Project management

Excel

PowerPoint

Client service

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Who We Are

FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.

At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side‑by‑side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.

Are you ready to make your impact?

About The Role

As a Director on the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications team, you will take an active role in developing and managing crisis communications response strategies for companies facing active cybersecurity attacks or threats. Additionally, this position will work on cybersecurity communications preparedness projects, tabletop exercises, and other specialized offerings within the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications practice.

As part of the team, you will help develop and execute multi-stakeholder communications strategies for clients navigating cybersecurity incidents—including ransomware attacks, nation‑state intrusions, critical infrastructure disruptions, and breaches affecting major B2B enterprises.

The Director will be comfortable acting with autonomy when it comes to leading smaller accounts, project managing and reviewing junior team deliverables. However, this position should be able to flex, easily assimilating into larger account teams as needed with responsibility for overseeing critical workstreams on those matters. This role requires interest in cybersecurity and data privacy issues, a willingness to learn, the ability to shift/be flexible in a fast‑paced environment, and a team‑first attitude. This opportunity offers a flexible hybrid working model.

About the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications Team

FTI Consulting’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications team is one of the only and largest crisis communications groups in the industry that is specialized in cybersecurity.

Multi-year winner of “Cybersecurity PR Firm of the Year” by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, the team has led communications responses for some of the largest and highest‑profile cybersecurity matters in the past decade, including for one of the largest pipeline operators in the U.S. and for one of the largest publicly traded insurance providers in the world. On an annual basis, the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications team provides communications counsel and support for hundreds of organizations in every sector – critical infrastructure, energy, healthcare, financial services, technology, retail, higher education, municipalities and more. Our clients span publicly traded, privately held, B2B, B2C, domestic and multi‑national companies.

We approach cybersecurity issues from a multi‑stakeholder lens, advising clients through effective communications and messaging approaches for customers, partners, vendors, regulators, employees, boards, media, investors, and more. The breadth of experience and multidisciplinary approach on these matters has positioned the practice as a well‑respected and influential advisor in the cybersecurity communications space alongside of its partners, who are seasoned forensic investigators, cyber insurers, and legal counsel. These industry partners and clients frequently turn to the team to provide expert crisis communications counsel and support throughout the entire lifecycle of a cyber incident, helping Director, Crisis Communications – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy companies mitigate risks and preserve their reputation before, during and after the incident. The Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications team provides strategic crisis management counsel and support on highly scrutinized cyber and data privacy incidents, including those linked to State AG investigations, class action litigation, congressional inquiries and testimonies, investigative reporting or other foreign government investigations and involving major operational disruptions and legal notification obligations. The team has handled incidents involving PII, IP, PHI, and has successfully navigated business email compromise, phishing and spear phishing, DDoS, credential stuffing, vendor compromise, critical infrastructure and nation‑state and double‑extortion ransomware attacks.

A highly collaborative and entrepreneurial group, the team proudly consists of former intelligence agency officials, seasoned corporate and crisis communications leaders, journalists, attorneys, government spokespersons and Congressional investigators who have advised on or managed hundreds of high‑profile data security and privacy incidents. The team’s diverse background and scope of expertise allow it to provide clients, including Fortune 500 companies and other multinationals across sectors and geographies, with unique and effective solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Develop strategic proposals and communications plans for clients and new business prospects
• Serve as a primary client contact, representing the team in client meetings, conference calls, and while working on client sites
• Manage client projects, including coordinating project rollouts, ensuring deadlines are met
• Scenario plan for likely outcomes and develop corresponding communications strategies
• Draft client materials (or review junior team deliverables where appropriate), including communications for key stakeholders, FAQs, media statements, among others
• Anticipate client and account team needs and concerns and proactively work with senior leaders to address them
• Actively participate in the generation of new business proposals and presentations
• Support the development, production and marketing of thought leadership surrounding emerging trends and issues
• Foster talent, by serving as a coach and mentoring junior team members

How 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.

As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.

Basic Qualifications

What You Will Need To Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience and a background in crisis/issues management, cybersecurity, and/or corporate communications
• Track record of managing communications with multiple stakeholders (investors, employees, customers, media, etc.) during crisis events
• Excellent organizational skills and written and verbal presentation skills
• Prior client service, consulting, agency experience is a must
• Ability to advise and secure confidence of senior communications client contacts as well as account leads and junior team members
• Proven project management track record and comfort managing and working with staff at all levels
• Expert in Excel, PPT – can keep deliverables moving against project plans, as well as develop rollouts and roadmaps
• Ability to work under pressing deadlines across multiple projects – understands effective time management
• Demonstrated people management experience including mentorship and supervision of others
• Ability to excel in fast‑paced, changing environments
• Travel required to clients and FTI office(s).
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis; the employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and a service‑oriented attitude

FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Compensation

Minimum Pay: $102,000

Maximum Pay: $173,000

Compensation Disclosure: The compensation range reflects potential base salary for the role. Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual’s location, skills, level of experience, and qualifications.