Présentation de l'entreprise
The FEI is looking for a Director, Communications on a 100% basis. The position is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the start date is to be agreed.
Director, Communications
Purpose of the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director of the Commercial, Marketing & Communications Department, the Director, Communications role is responsible for defining, leading and delivering 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.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy, Leadership & Delivery
- Define, 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;
- Act 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;
- Lead 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;
- Set priorities, standards and tone while remaining closely involved in execution, particularly on 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.
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 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;
- Lead the development of authoritative narratives addressing welfare, integrity and ethics, frequently drafting or shaping core messaging personally;
- Monitor, 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;
- Work 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.
Proactive Issues Management & Internal Intelligence
- Proactively 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;
- Establish and maintain a practical internal intelligence network to anticipate issues early, rather than relying solely on reactive escalation;
- Together with the ED, CMC, assess which topics require proactive communication, reactive preparation or internal alignment only;
- Ensure potential issues are surfaced early, properly contextualised and addressed with appropriate messaging before they escalate externally.
Media Relations, Sport Communications & Media Operations
- Oversee global media relations, sport communications and media operations across FEI disciplines and events;
- Remain actively involved in shaping key sport-related narratives, reactive statements and sensitive media responses;
- Support major FEI events with robust media operations and crisis preparedness, stepping in directly where senior judgement or authority is required;
- Maintain personal relationships with key international, specialist and influential media where credibility, trust and nuance are essential.
Corporate, Governance & Stakeholder Communications
- Oversee corporate and governance communications, including FEI decision-making, rules, elections, meetings and institutional messaging;
- Ensure governance processes are explained clearly, factually and accessibly to stakeholders and media, reinforcing institutional credibility and trust;
- Personally contribute to the drafting and review of high-level governance communications, speeches, statements and briefing materials for senior leadership;
- Lead communications for FEI flagship corporate initiatives and events, including the Annual Report and FEI Annual Awards.
Internal Communications
- Oversee (and intervene in sensitive cases) FEI internal communications to ensure staff, leadership and key stakeholders are informed, aligned and equipped with accurate information;
Crisis Communications & High-Risk Issues
- Own crisis communications frameworks, protocols and preparedness across the FEI;
- Act as senior communications counsel during crisis situations affecting equine welfare, governance integrity or FEI reputation;
- Personally shape crisis messaging, Q&A and briefing materials for leadership and designated spokespersons;
- Ensure crisis responses prioritise transparency, factual accuracy, empathy and protection of the FEI’s social licence to operate.
Cross-Functional & External Collaboration
- Work 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;
- Collaborate with National Federations, organisers, partners, broadcasters and relevant institutional stakeholders where FEI credibility and positioning within the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem are concerned;
- Ensure communications support commercial and sporting objectives without compromising regulatory authority, integrity or equine welfare standards.
Position Requirements
- Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field;
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations and/or reputation management in international sport
- Deep understanding of equestrian sport and its ecosystem, including disciplines, culture, stakeholders and welfare debates;
- Confidence and authority to engage with knowledgeable, influential and educated equestrian audiences, challenging assumptions and inaccuracies with facts, credibility and judgement;
- Proven ability to combine senior-level judgement with hands-on execution in lean teams;
- Excellent written English, with the ability to draft clear, precise and authoritative communications on complex, sensitive and high-risk topics;
- Excellent oral communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and sensitive issues clearly, calmly and authoritatively to senior leadership, stakeholders and partners;
- Excellent judgement, authority and calm under pressure;
- Native or near-native English; strong French an asset;
- Willingness and flexibility to travel internationally including during weekends.
If you meet the position requirements, We want you! We are a dynamic Sports Federation and we would gladly receive your application. Please apply via the 'Apply' button below.
Only applicants being Swiss, resident of Switzerland with a valid work permit or EU citizen will be taken into consideration for the recruiting process.
Important information: Please note that the recruitment process for this position has been entrusted to a specialised Search Firm. By applying, you consent to the sharing of your information with this specialised Search Firm.
