Senior Director, Crisis Communications – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

FTI Consulting; Washington; On-site; USD 134,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Consulting seeks a Senior Director to lead Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications, guiding crisis and incident response programs for Fortune 500 clients across geographies.

You will oversee multi-stakeholder campaigns, develop strategic plans, and mentor teams while pursuing new business, all in alignment with the firm’s ethics and strategic communications rules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 8+ years of crisis/issues management and/or cybersecurity experience in relevant roles.
• Prior client service, consulting, agency experience.
• Ability to advise and secure confidence of senior client contacts, outside counsel.
• Proven project management track record and comfort with plans and roadmaps.
• Proficiency in creating project plans and using AI and project management tools.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain composure under high-stakes situations.
• Track record of managing communications with multiple stakeholders during crisis events.
• Travel to clients and FTI offices is required.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic proposals and communications plans for clients and new business prospects.
• Serve as primary client contact, providing strategic counsel in meetings and on-site.
• Project manage multiple workstreams and client/legal approvals to meet deadlines.
• Manage teams and processes for tracking stakeholder inquiries during live incidents.
• Coordinate with cross-border teams for 24x7 incident management.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively address concerns.
• Support staffing decisions and drive profitable project outcomes.
• Drive new business through thought leadership and networking.
• Mentor junior staff and oversee performance development.

Skills

Crisis communications

Project management

Stakeholder management

Client counseling

Cross-border collaboration

Strategic planning

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree

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

A successful Senior Director on the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications team will play a leadership role in developing and managing crisis communications response strategies for companies facing active cybersecurity attacks or threats. Additionally, this position will lead cybersecurity communications preparedness projects, tabletop exercises, and other specialized offerings within the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications practice.

As part of a team, the Senior Director will oversee the execution of multi-stakeholder communications activities for clients experiencing cybersecurity incidents such as ransomware attacks, nation-state attacks, incidents involving critical infrastructure and other key operational disruptions, attacks on major Fortune500 corporations, among others. The Senior Director is a primary client counselor and must be able to function as the client-facing leader for project teams and be comfortable interacting with C-suite, external counsel, and other third-party partners who play a critical role on an incident response team. Additionally, this role requires excellent project management skills and the ability to oversee – and drive forward – multiple workstreams for large-scale cyber incident response engagements, often times across multiple geographies.

The Senior Director will also be expected to identify potential new business opportunities with new and existing clients; develop and foster relationships with law firms and other third-party referral sources; and participate in marketing and thought leadership opportunities on behalf of the team and firm.

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.

Recognized as the 2025 Cybersecurity PR Agency 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. 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.

FTI’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications team is the most experienced crisis communications and stakeholder engagement practice in the cybersecurity industry. 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 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 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.

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

The Senior Director manages account teams and projects, leveraging in-depth knowledge of clients’ objectives and challenges to oversee the design and implementation of innovative strategies to assist them through cyber and data privacy communications challenges. This position will take an active role in helping to strategically grow our Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications business and provide oversight to teams working on incident response and preparedness matters. Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Develop strategic proposals and communications plans for clients and new business prospects

• Serve as a primary client contact, providing strategic counsel directly to clients in meetings, conference calls and while working on client sites

• Project manage multiple workstreams, client/legal approval processes and document development to ensure deadlines are met and objectives are achieved

• Manage teams and processes as they relate to tracking and triaging client’s stakeholder inquiries (i.e. media, employees, customers, regulators, etc.) during live incidents

• Work with peers across borders on incidents that require a 24x7 follow-the-sun approach to managing the crisis

• Anticipate client needs and concerns and work to proactively to address them

• Work with other senior leaders to make staffing decisions on various accounts

• Drive new business pursuits, including the development of thought leadership, identification of business prospects and ongoing networking on behalf of the firm

• Support team training and professional development and serve as a performance manager to select junior staff

• Manage profitability and utilization on multiple projects and accounts

• Understand and live by FTI’s values, Code of Ethics and the Strategic Communications Rules of Practice, and work with junior staff to embed these concepts within the firm’s culture. (Additional information about FTI’s values, Code of Ethics and the Strategic Communications Rules of Practice can be accessed here.)

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.

What You Will Need To Succeed

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree

• 8+ years of crisis/issues management and/or cybersecurity experience in relevant roles serving clients and developing new business

• Prior client service, consulting, agency experience

• Ability to advise and secure confidence of senior communications and C-level client contacts, as well as outside legal counsel and other advisors

• Proven project management track record and comfort managing and working with staff at all levels

• Proficient in creating project plans, rollouts and roadmaps as well as using various AI and project management tools

• Ability to work under pressing deadlines and portray calm during high stakes situation to clients and other team members

• Track record of managing communications with multiple stakeholders (investors, employees, customers, media, etc.) during crisis events

• Travel required to clients and to 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and a service-oriented attitude

• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and written and verbal presentation skills

• Experience in cybersecurity and data privacy matters

#LI-TL1

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: $134,000

Maximum Pay: $245,000

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.