Associate, Financial Institutions Group

Opportunity 

Brunswick Group is seeking an Associate to join our growing Financial Institutions Group in New York. 

Brunswick’s Financial Institutions Group advises the world’s leading financial services organizations on how to solve complex, multi-stakeholder challenges while navigating regulation across geographies in a highly scrutinized and volatile environment.

Drawing on our global expertise in media, capital markets, policy, law, research, and crisis and issues management, we develop communications strategies that build and protect corporate reputation over the long term, and through critical moments including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, capital raisings, leadership changes, governance matters, and responses to activist shareholders.

About the Role

Client Contribution & Handling

• Serve as an expert advisor to clients on reputation, financial and crisis situations
• Provide relevant insight, guidance and advice to clients
• Play an integral role in the new business process; manage RFPs and participate in pitch preparation
• Deliver strategic advice to clients, drawing on financial institutions communications expertise and depth of professional advisory experience - and contributing to formulation of advice on strategy and communications approach
• Represent the firm in discussions of complex situations with senior executives at client organizations
• Seve as the main point of contact for clients in day-to-day communications.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of the clients’ businesses and strategic communications issues
• Monitor level of account profitability and intervening as necessary

Communication Skills

• Write thoughtful, well-structured content; considering audience in style and tone of communications
• Express a well-developed point of view; analyzing and distilling complex information
• Exhibit good judgment and exercising discretion
• Question and challenge in a constructive way; presenting unpopular ideas confidently

Team Management

• Manage and mentor team members; work with Partners and Directors on the day-to-day management of staff and client deliverables
• Manage the development of key client documents by playing a vital role in drafting, editing and routing throughout the internal process and external delivery
• Oversee research assignments; distill large volumes of information into the most impactful and helpful insights
• Plan and execute client announcements and events, managing:
• Preparation of strategic communications documents including talking points, Q&As, day-of rollouts, media backgrounders, etc.
• Media handling and approach
• Announcement or event logistics

Networking

• Foster a network of journalist contacts and relationships
• Develop relationships with the analyst and investor community to understand issues and priorities
• Proactively build a network locally to identify talent referrals, new business prospects and media contacts        

What We're Looking For

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 7-10+ years of relevant work experience advising financial institutions on strategic communications, corporate reputation, media relations, public affairs, issues management, or related stakeholder engagement matters. 
• Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies and managing media engagement for senior executives and organizations facing complex business, financial, regulatory or reputational issues. 
• Experience managing teams and workflows, with a passion for mentoring junior staff.
• Deep understanding of business and finance.
• Ability to operate effectively in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication ability.
• Energetic team player with strong self-motivation.
• Experience managing teams and passionate about mentoring junior staff.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask in high-pressure situations.
• Exhibit discretion with confidential client matters. 
• Knowledge of the media landscape.
• Knowledge of Factiva, Bloomberg and other research resources.

Ideal Candidate

• A rising advisor with experience counseling financial institution clients on business-critical issues (e.g. crisis, M&A, financial situations, geopolitical, etc.)
• Adept at navigating and succeeding within high-performance, entrepreneurial environments
• Excellent communicator with professional polish and strong emotional intelligence
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit
• Desire to mentor and willingness to train junior staff
• Terrific sense of humor

Why Join Us

Whether you are joining a client facing team, a core services team, or starting out on your professional career journey, joining Brunswick unlocks a range of exceptional employee benefits to support your financial future, health and wellness, family and community and continuous professional development.

The successful applicant will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits package: 

Base Pay:  The annual base compensation range for this role is $130,000-$170,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors including experience, skills, training, office location, certifications, and education.

Bonus Eligibility:  Annual discretionary bonus contingent upon individual and firm-wide performance.

Benefits:  Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance. Disability insurance. Employee assistance program. Flexible spending account. Health savings account. Life insurance. Commuter Benefits. Generous Paid Time Off: 25 vacation days and 10 days sick leave, as well as 11 paid company holidays. Firm-sponsored 401(k) Plan with 3% automatic company contribution of base and bonus with an additional 1.5% profit share- immediate vesting. Career training and development opportunities. Employee discounts.

Office Policy:  At Brunswick, our work is a craft that thrives in teaching environments - whether in our offices or on-site with clients - through real-time observation, collaboration, human connection, clear guidance and by challenging one another to keep getting better. Our policy is that our team members are in person - either in the office or on-site with clients - at least four days each week.

The firm will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants or employees, as defined by applicable law. In addition to the application, the process may include virtual and in-person interviews, as well as an assessment, which may be timed. To request an accommodation during our application and hiring process, email [email protected].

About Brunswick

Brunswick is a global advisory firm. We help companies tackle high-stakes issues, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and deliver high-impact outcomes. 

Our clients value our ability to anticipate, shape, and respond to the key players and forces in the financial and investment arena, regulatory and geopolitical universe, NGO community, workforce and beyond. They rely on us for deep experience, fresh perspectives and original thinking. So, in Brunswick you will find an exceptional range of experience and talent with a rich mix of backgrounds. From the beginning, we have prioritized attracting, developing, and retaining the best professionals in the industry, united by a culture of inclusivity, excellence, and intellectual curiosity.

Founded in 1987 in London, the firm has organically grown to 27 offices in 18 countries across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. We operate as a “one-firm firm” with no individual profit centers. This allows us to assemble fully integrated, bespoke teams for each client, able to draw on the full resources of Brunswick anywhere in the world. 

Brunswick is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Please read our Global Privacy Notice to understand how your data is managed.