Issues Management Director

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.

The Issues Management Director is responsible for developing crisis communications plans, strategies and playbooks; monitoring issues and crises that could affect the firm; and working with cross-functional teams on RSM’s response in the event of an issue or crisis. The position will represent communications on the firm’s incident response team and work directly with the firm’s business continuity leader. The role will also serve as the primary communications liaison with legal, IT security, physical security and employee relations and be the primary liaison with local leadership, HR, communications and the RSM US Foundation in the event of disasters or other issues that affect our offices or markets. The position will also be responsible for the management and maintenance of messaging in the firm’s Alert Media emergency notification system, as well as working with local Alert Media administrators to ensure they are trained and to distribute in the event of an emergency. Position will be hybrid in Chicago or New York City preferably.

Essential Duties:

• Develop crisis communications plans and playbooks in partnership with the firm’s business continuity leader and incident response task force so the firm is prepared to respond to a variety of issues and incidents. Maintain documentation for the firm’s response to any issues or crises and continuously improve plans. Help plan and participate in tabletop exercises with the firm’s business continuity leader and incident response task force to ensure readiness.
• Respond to a variety of crises and issues for the firm, including communications planning and execution in coordination with a variety of global, national, regional and local leaders.  This could include legal and regulatory matters, natural disasters, employee safety issues that affect our markets or offices, IT security incidents, personnel matters, etc.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison for legal, IT security and employee relations for both incident response and to execute normal course of business communications for the departments.
• Maintain messaging in the firm’s Alert Media emergency notification system, as well as working with local Alert Media administrators to ensure they are trained and to distribute messages in the event of an emergency. Run regular training sessions and scenarios with the team to ensure that they are ready to deploy messaging when needed.
• Monitor the external environment for issues that could affect RSM and work with teams and leaders to ensure we are in a position to respond if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or business (required)
• Master’s degree in communications or MBA (preferred)

TECHNICAL/SOFT SKILLS

• Ability to maintain relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders across the firm
• Ability to work on highly confidential and privileged matters for the firm
• Proven ability to manage communications in a crisis
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication
• Executive presence and credibility
• Strong collaboration skills across matrixed functions

EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of corporate communications experience, including crisis and issues management and incident response
• Experience leading communications for cybersecurity incidents
• Experience leading communications surrounding legal and regulatory matters
• Experience leading office-level safety communications in a global environment

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Proven ability to collaborate and advise within a highly matrixed environment
• Ability to counsel executives in a variety of roles
• Ability to work with business continuity, legal and risk management teams to achieve desired outcomes in situations that represent risk for the organization
• Ability to influence and align leaders across a complex, matrixed firm
• Ability to build trust and credibility with executive stakeholders.

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. 

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at [email protected].

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.

At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.