Position Purpose Summary To define, lead and deliver the FEI’s global communications strategy, with the primary objective of protecting, maintaining and strengthening equestrian sport’s social licence to operate worldwide, as well as its standing within the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem. The role combines senior strategic leadership with a strong hands-on contribution. The Director, Communications is expected to be personally involved in issue analysis, drafting, messaging, briefing and decision-making, working alongside a lean communications team in a highly scrutinised environment where equine welfare, integrity and credibility are critical. Responsibilities 1.\tStrategy, Leadership & Delivery -\tDefine, recommend and deliver the FEI’s global communications strategy in alignment with FEI objectives and Commercial, Marketing & Communications (CMC) department priorities, with social licence to operate as a central guiding principle; -\tAct as a senior advisor to the Executive Director, Commercial, Marketing & Communications (ED, CMC), the Secretary General and wider FEI leadership on communications, reputation, risk and public trust; -\tLead the Communications function while actively contributing personally to strategy development, issue analysis, drafting of key messages, briefing documents and high-risk communications alongside the team; -\tSet priorities, standards and tone while remaining closely involved in execution, particularly on sensitive, complex or high-exposure topics; -\tEnsure 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 -\tOwn and drive the FEI’s equine welfare narrative across all communications, ensuring it is central, explicit and consistently reflected in public positioning; -\tProtect and strengthen equestrian sport’s social licence to operate through direct involvement in the development of clear, evidence-based explanations of FEI rules, standards, veterinary frameworks and welfare safeguards, including in relation to expectations of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement; -\tLead the development of authoritative narratives addressing welfare, integrity and ethics, frequently drafting or shaping core messaging personally; -\tMonitor, analyse and respond to criticism, misinformation and activist narratives challenging the legitimacy of equestrian sport, ensuring responses are factual, proportionate and credible rather than defensive; -\tWork hands-on and in close coordination with Veterinary & Equine Welfare, Sports & Games, Governance and Legal departments to ensure communications accurately reflect regulatory reality and scientific evidence. 3. Proactive Issues Management & Internal Intelligence -\tProactively and personally engage with internal departments (Sports & Games, Veterinary & Equine Welfare, Legal, Governance, Technology Operations) to understand upcoming decisions, risks, incidents or sensitivities that may impact (positively or negatively) the FEI’s reputation or social licence to operate; -\tEstablish and maintain a practical internal intelligence network to anticipate issues early, rather than relying solely on reactive escalation; -\tTogether with the ED, CMC, assess which topics require proactive communication, reactive preparation or internal alignment only; -\tEnsure potential issues are surfaced early, properly contextualised and addressed with appropriate messaging before they escalate externally. 4. Media Relations, Sport Communications & Media Operations -\tOversee global media relations, sport communications and media operations across FEI disciplines and events; -\tRemain actively involved in shaping key sport-related narratives, reactive statements and sensitive media responses; -\tSupport major FEI events with robust media operations and crisis preparedness, stepping in directly where senior judgement or authority is required; -\tMaintain personal relationships with key international, specialist and influential media where credibility, trust and nuance are essential. 5. Corporate, Governance & Stakeholder Communications -\tOversee corporate and governance communications, including FEI decision-making, rules, elections, meetings and institutional messaging; -\tEnsure governance processes are explained clearly, factually and accessibly to stakeholders and media, reinforcing institutional credibility and trust; -\tPersonally contribute to the drafting and review of high-level governance communications, speeches, statements and briefing materials for senior leadership; -\tLead communications for FEI flagship corporate initiatives and events, including the Annual Report and FEI Annual Awards. 6. Internal Communications -\tOversee (and intervene in sensitive cases) FEI internal communications to ensure staff, leadership and key stakeholders are informed, aligned and equipped with accurate information; 7. Crisis Communications & High-Risk Issues -\tOwn crisis communications frameworks, protocols and preparedness across the FEI; -\tAct as senior communications counsel during crisis situations affecting equine welfare, governance integrity or FEI reputation; -\tPersonally shape crisis messaging, Q&A and briefing materials for leadership and designated spokespersons; -\tEnsure crisis responses prioritise transparency, factual accuracy, empathy and protection of the FEI’s social licence to operate. 8. Cross-Functional & External Collaboration -\tWork closely and hands-on with Marketing, Digital, Broadcast, Commercial, Events, Sports & Games, Veterinary & Equine Welfare, Legal and Technology Operations teams to ensure alignment and accuracy across all communications; -\tCollaborate with National Federations, organisers, partners, broadcasters and relevant institutional stakeholders where FEI credibility and positioning within the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem are concerned; -\tEnsure communications support commercial and sporting objectives without compromising regulatory authority, integrity or equine welfare standards. Skills and Qualifications -\tMaster’s degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field; -\tMinimum 15 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations and/or reputation management in international sport -\tDeep understanding of equestrian sport and its ecosystem, including disciplines, culture, stakeholders and welfare debates; -\tConfidence and authority to engage with knowledgeable, influential and educated equestrian audiences, challenging assumptions and inaccuracies with facts, credibility and judgement; -\tProven ability to combine senior-level judgement with hands-on execution in lean teams; -\tExcellent written English, with the ability to draft clear, precise and authoritative communications on complex, sensitive and high-risk topics; -\tExcellent oral communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and sensitive issues clearly, calmly and authoritatively to senior leadership, stakeholders and partners; -\tExcellent judgement, authority and calm under pressure; -\tNative or near-native English; strong French an asset; -\tWillingness and flexibility to travel internationally including during weekends.