Senior Director, Communications

Financial Technology Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Parental leave

Flexible time off

Sick days

Budget for professional development

Job summary

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) in Washington, DC, is seeking a Senior Director of Communications to drive content strategy, media relations, and thought leadership in collaboration with the Head of Communications. You will translate complex policy issues into clear messaging and elevate FTA's voice.

This role blends writing, editorial planning, and campaign management across multi-channel efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail.
• Background in financial services or fintech policy is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work under deadline pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communications to engage with staff and member companies.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and distribution tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Shape FTA's overall narrative and ensure messaging consistency.
• Write and edit high-quality content, including press releases, blog posts, explainers, and website posts.
• Grow FTA’s publications and thought leadership platform, serving as a resource for industry and policymakers.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear, compelling narratives.
• Maintain and evolve FTA's editorial calendar with the communications team.
• Build and maintain reporter relationships, focusing on state/local media and influencers.
• Pitch stories and secure placements to grow earned media footprint.
• Draft media materials, including press releases, statements, and talking points.
• Monitor national, state, and local media coverage to inform strategy.
• Support rapid-response and crisis communications under time pressure.
• Assist in multi-channel advocacy campaigns with earned media and digital tactics.
• Develop campaign materials (fact sheets, op-eds, testimony support, digital ads, toolkits).
• Track campaign performance and adjust tactics in-flight.
• Coordinate with policy, government affairs, and operations teams.
• Engage with member company communications and policy leads.

Skills

Excellent writing skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Ability to manage multiple projects

Fintech policy knowledge

Strategic storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Journalism/Political Science or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools

PR distribution tools

Job description

Senior Director, Communications

Location: Washington, DC

Reports To: Head of Communications & Public Affairs

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $130,000-150,000

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) is a trade association representing leading financial technology (fintech) companies. Our members are market leaders developing innovative financial products and driving competition that benefits consumers, businesses, and startups. We advocate for modern financial policies and regulations that reflect the digital transformation.

We are seeking a Senior Director, Communications to help drive content strategy, media relations, and thought leadership in collaboration with the Head of Communications. This role is ideal for a sharp, creative, organized, and resourceful communicator who can turn complex policy issues into compelling messaging and content. You will play a central role in elevating FTA's voice, strengthening its footprint, and advancing the association's brand.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications

• Help shape FTA's overall narrative and ensure messaging consistency.
• Write and edit high-quality content, including press releases, blog posts, explainers, and website posts.
• Help manage and grow FTA’s publications and thought leadership platform, serving as a resource for the industry and policymakers.
• Translate complex policy developments and regulatory issues into clear, compelling, and creative narratives.
• Maintain and evolve FTA's editorial calendar in coordination with the broader communications team.

Media Relations

• Build and maintain reporter relationships, with a focus on state/local and non-traditional media, such as influencers.
• Pitch stories and secure placements to grow earned media footprint.
• Draft media materials, including press releases, statements, and talking points.
• Monitor national, state, and local media coverage of FTA and fintech issues to identify opportunities and inform strategy.
• Support the Head of Communications in managing rapid-response and crisis communications under time pressure.

Public Affairs Campaign Management

• Assist in managing multi-channel advocacy campaigns that pair earned media with digital, grassroots, and coalition tactics.
• Develop campaign materials, including fact sheets, op-eds, testimony support, digital ads, and toolkits.
• Track campaign performance (media pickup, message penetration, stakeholder engagement) and adjust tactics in-flight.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Prioritize and sequence communications initiatives with the Digital Director and Head of Communications.
• Coordinate with policy, government affairs, and operations teams.
• Engage professionally with member company communications and policy leads.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs. Background in politics, political campaigns, PR agencies, or trade associations is preferred.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail.
• Background in financial services or fintech policy a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work under deadline pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills to engage clearly and productively with FTA staff and member companies.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and distribution tools is a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

• This position is based in Washington, D.C., and applicants must reside within the DC metro area.
• A hybrid work schedule with a flexible mix of in-office and work-from-home days.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement benefits, parental leave, flexible time off and sick days, and a budget for professional development.
• Opportunity to work at the intersection of innovation, policy, and technology with a fast-growing, mission-driven team.
• Occasional travel to conferences and events.