Issues Management Director

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 role will represent communications on the firm’s incident response team, work directly with the business continuity leader, and serve as the primary communications liaison with legal, IT security, physical security, employee relations, local leadership, HR, communications and the RSM US Foundation in the event of disasters or other issues that affect our offices or markets. The director will also manage and maintain messaging in the firm’s Alert Media emergency notification system and work with local Alert Media administrators to ensure they are trained and ready to distribute messages in an emergency. Position can be anywhere in the US, preferably hybrid from Chicago or New York City.

Essential Duties

• Develop crisis communications plans and playbooks in partnership with the business continuity leader and incident response task force, maintain documentation, continuously improve plans, and help plan and participate in tabletop exercises to ensure readiness.
• Respond to a variety of crises and issues for the firm, including communications planning and execution in coordination with global, national, regional, and local leaders. This includes legal and regulatory matters, natural disasters, employee safety issues, IT security incidents, personnel matters, etc.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison for legal, IT security, and employee relations for both incident response and normal business communications.
• Maintain messaging in the Alert Media system, train local administrators, run regular training sessions and scenarios to ensure readiness.
• Monitor the external environment for issues that could affect RSM and work with teams to ensure a timely response when needed.
• Perform additional 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

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. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or send us an email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Compensation Range: $126,500 - $223,900

Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.