Director, Public Affairs | Strategic Communications

About the role

FTI Consulting, a global expert firm for organisations facing crisis and transformation, is seeking a Director for its Public Affairs practice in South Africa. The role sits within the South Africa practice, which has active clients and mandates in motion and a high-performing team already in place. The Director works closely with practice leadership, taking day-to-day ownership of client relationships and complex engagements, and supports senior leadership in advising client executives and government stakeholders on regulatory, reputational and policy issues.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a senior day-to-day advisor on complex public affairs mandates, including policy advocacy, government relations, reputational risk and crisis response
• Support senior leadership in advising client executives and senior government stakeholders
• Help design and run integrated campaigns across policy engagement, media and stakeholder coalitions
• Translate political and regulatory developments into actionable strategic advice
• Take part in new business pursuits, including leading parts of client proposals and RFP responses
• Contribute to profitable account management and grow existing client relationships
• Own daily client interactions and build trusted relationships
• Coach and mentor junior staff, ensure quality and consistency of outputs, and collaborate across FTI's global network

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Law, Economics, International Relations or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Demonstrable experience in public affairs, government relations or strategic communications, with a track record of managing complex client engagements
• Experience managing client engagements and contributing to new business
• Growing network across government, business, civil society and media
• Preferred: prior consulting or advisory firm experience, familiarity with African markets beyond South Africa, and emerging thought leadership

Required skills

• Strong, current knowledge of South Africa's political economy, national and provincial government processes, key regulatory bodies, the transformation policy landscape and the media environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, able to engage at executive level

The position is filled in line with FTI Consulting's culture, values and Employment Equity policy and plan. Professional development is supported through coaching, on-the-job learning and professional courses.