Position Purpose Summary
The purpose of this role is to define, lead, and deliver the FEI’s global communications strategy. The primary objective is to protect, maintain, and strengthen the social license of equestrian sport to operate worldwide, as well as its standing within the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem. This position combines senior strategic leadership with an active, hands-on contribution. The Director of Communications is expected to engage in issue analysis, messaging, drafting, briefing, and decision-making while collaborating with a lean communications team in an environment where equine welfare, integrity, and credibility are paramount.
Responsibilities
1. Strategy, Leadership & Delivery
- Define, recommend, and implement the FEI’s global communications strategy in line with FEI objectives and the priorities of the Commercial, Marketing & Communications (CMC) department, with social license serving as a central guiding principle.
- Act as a senior advisor to the Executive Director, CMC, the Secretary General, and the wider FEI leadership on communications, reputation, risk, and public trust.
- Lead the Communications function while actively contributing to strategy development, issue analysis, drafting key messages, briefing documents, and high-risk communications alongside the team.
- Set priorities, standards, and tone while remaining involved in execution, particularly concerning sensitive, complex, or high-exposure topics.
- Ensure consistently high editorial, factual, and ethical standards across all communications outputs, maintaining operational resilience in both planned and crisis situations.
2. Social Licence to Operate, Equine Welfare & Ethical Narrative
- Own and drive the FEI’s equine welfare narrative across all communications, ensuring it is central, explicit, and consistently reflected in public positioning.
- Protect and strengthen equestrian sport’s social license by developing clear, evidence-based explanations of FEI rules and welfare standards, especially concerning the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
- Lead the development of authoritative narratives addressing welfare, integrity, and ethics, frequently crafting core messaging personally.
- Monitor, analyze, and respond to challenges or misinformation about the legitimacy of equestrian sport, ensuring responses are factual and credible.
- Collaborate closely with Veterinary & Equine Welfare, Sports & Games, Governance, and Legal departments to ensure communications accurately reflect regulatory realities and scientific evidence.
3. Proactive Issues Management & Internal Intelligence
- Engage proactively with internal departments to anticipate decisions, risks, incidents, or sensitivities impacting the FEI’s reputation.
- Establish and maintain an internal intelligence network to identify potential issues early, rather than relying solely on reactive measures.
- Assess topics needing proactive communication or internal alignment alongside the ED, CMC.
- Ensure early identification and appropriate messaging for potential issues before they escalate externally.
4. Media Relations, Sport Communications & Media Operations
- Oversee global media relations and communications across FEI disciplines and events.
- Actively participate in shaping key sport-related narratives, reactive statements, and sensitive media responses.
- Support major FEI events with efficient media operations and crisis preparedness, engaging directly when senior judgment or authority is required.
- Maintain relationships with key international and influential media figures where trust and credibility are essential.
5. Corporate, Governance & Stakeholder Communications
- Oversee governance communications, ensuring clarity and accessibility of FEI decision-making and processes for stakeholders.
- Contribute to drafting high-level governance communications, speeches, and briefing materials for senior leadership.
- Lead communications for flagship corporate initiatives and events, including the Annual Report and FEI Annual Awards.
6. Internal Communications
- Oversee internal communications to ensure alignment and accurate information flow among staff, leadership, and stakeholders.
7. Crisis Communications & High-Risk Issues
- Own crisis communication frameworks and preparedness across the FEI.
- Act as senior communications counsel during crises affecting equine welfare or the FEI's reputation.
- Shape crisis messaging and briefing materials for leadership and designated spokespersons personally.
- Ensure responses prioritize transparency, accuracy, empathy, and protection of the FEI’s social license.
8. Cross-Functional & External Collaboration
- Work closely with various teams to ensure accuracy and alignment across all communications.
- Collaborate with National Federations and relevant stakeholders to uphold FEI credibility within the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem.
- Ensure communications support commercial and sporting objectives while maintaining regulatory authority and equine welfare standards.
Skills and Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in communications or public relations within international sports.
- Deep understanding of equestrian sport, including disciplines, culture, stakeholders, and welfare debates.
- Confidence and authority to engage with knowledgeable equestrian audiences, addressing assumptions with facts and credibility.
- Proven ability to blend senior-level judgment with hands-on execution in small teams.
- Excellent written English skills for drafting precise communications on complex issues.
- Strong oral communication skills for clearly explaining sensitive topics to stakeholders.
- Solid judgment, authority, and composure under pressure.
- Native or near-native English; strong French is an asset.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel internationally, including weekends.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.