Managing Director

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:

We are currently looking for a Managing Director to work on Financial Communications within our South African team. They will be expected to develop and execute client engagements related to M&A, IPOs, spin-offs, shareholder activism, C-suite transitions and business transformations, among other issue and event-based work, as well as ongoing Investor Relations (“IR”) advisory.

The individual will work with a team to service and advise clients and will also be a primary client contact for senior level investor relations, corporate affairs and C-suite executives. They will also participate in new business development initiatives including directly pitching engagements as well as networking among potential referral sources. The successful candidate will be confident in an entrepreneurial environment, stay abreast of industry developments, as well as help continually innovate the firm’s offerings.

The individual will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Strategic Communications practice. We are seeking an enthusiastic senior team member who sees the potential for a global consultancy to uniquely help clients navigate transactions and will embrace a challenge, be eager to pursue new opportunities and ready to think creatively to realise growth.

Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

Financial Communications:

- Manage critical transactions and equity capital markets communications strategies for client accounts, often serving as the primary client contact working with a senior level investor relations officer or C-suite executive.
- Counsel clients on crises and other challenging events, such as shareholder activism, that are more complex and beyond the scope of standard communications programmes.
- Advise clients on strategic aspects of their investor relations programme, and when appropriate, collaborate with colleagues in other practices to ensure the execution of a cohesive overall communications programme.

- Oversee client accounts and engagements, including staffing and teaming, billing and client administration, and serving as the senior strategist to clients.
- Effectively manage client teams including driving meetings, strategy sessions and monthly and quarterly measurement and reporting.
- Be a mentor to mid- and junior-level employees, providing constructive feedback on a continuous basis.
- Support the development of the business by being an enthusiastic partner, staying up to speed on emerging best practices, demonstrating creativity in how the team can evolve and helping the team stay informed on competitor activity.
- Develop a full understanding of all of the Strategic Communications practice and FTI’s service offerings and be proficient enough to discuss them fluently.

New Business Development:

- Identify new business opportunities by recognising areas for potential communications needs (financial/operational, IR, crisis, M&A, IPO, etc.).
- Leverage prior – and build new – professional networking relationships with corporate management teams, investment bankers and specialised law firms to drive referrals.
- Work with colleagues to produce business pitch materials, create tailored sales presentations, and attend new business pitches via conference call or in person.
- Attend relevant events and conferences to network with potential referral sources or prospective clients.

What You’ll Need to be Successful:

Basic Qualifications

- Ideally a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from an accredited university.
- Proven senior experience in financial communications and capital markets (sell-side research, institutional money management, banking, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

- Agency background with a focus on capital markets, corporate communications or investor relations an advantage.
- Proven advanced writing skills, particularly with complex documents and persuasive messaging such as proposals, press releases, op-eds, research reports, etc.
- Ability to concisely articulate and competently support a company’s core narrative and equity story.
- Analytical skills to identify and diagnose key issues, misperceptions and factors impacting a company’s perception (valuation, governance, reputation) as well as the communications solutions to fix/mitigate them.
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills – both in a large group and smaller meetings.
- Ability to learn new concepts quickly and possess a service-oriented attitude.
- Strong project management, quantitative and qualitative research skills.
- Capacity to multi-task across client programmes, firm initiatives and sales opportunities.
- Ability to recognise, explore and use a broad range of ideas and practices, thinking logically and creatively without influence from personal bias.
- Capacity to adjust behaviour to meet client needs and personalities and to establish positive relationships with a wide variety of individuals both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated history of project management during a major corporate event from concept to conclusion and manage all levels of employees, including support staff, peers and senior managers.
- Ability to generate and lead new business development efforts, including direct client pitches and networking with potential referral sources.
- Ability to lead account teams on complex client communications challenges and actively manage, develop, inspire, and motivate staff to excel.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proficient skills in Word, PowerPoint and excel.

This position allows the unique opportunity to partner with internal teams in various specialty areas to tackle a myriad of high visibility client challenges across industries. With an emphasis on a collaborative team approach, we all learn from each other as we share diverse perspectives and ways of working to best meet client challenges and continue to grow the firm.

How You’ll Grow

We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programmes 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 programmes for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.

FTI Consulting is committed to Employment Equity and as such, preference will be given to candidates from designated groups, as defined in the Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998.