📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, External Communications
🔹 Company: Payoneer
🔹 Location: New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (New York, NY)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading global media relations and corporate communications to enhance Payoneer's brand and support business objectives.
- Managing crisis communications and developing thought leadership content to drive engagement and visibility.
- Collaborating with senior executives and stakeholders to craft compelling narratives that strengthen Payoneer's market position.
- Orchestrating regional communications teams, spokespeople, agencies, customers, and partners to tell locally relevant and compelling stories worldwide.
- Driving the development of pan-regional external communications strategy and tactics, working closely with marketing and comms leaders in country.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of corporate communications, media dynamics, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management within the fintech or financial services industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development and execution of a global media relations program to secure high-impact coverage in top-tier business, financial, and tech media.
✅ Work closely with the executive team to ensure media relations strategy and activities are aligned with business goals and collaborate with the wider organization to develop creative, integrated external communications programs.
✅ Monitor media coverage and manage media inquiries and responses.
✅ Create thought leadership platforms and lead the development of content, including data reports, bylines, and blogs, to drive coverage and engagement.
✅ Lead the implementation and monitoring of the crisis communication playbook and plans, anticipating, managing, and mitigating corporate crisis situations.
✅ Establish operational objectives, metrics, and work plans to achieve communication OKRs, overseeing measurement and reporting of global programs, and ensuring all activities fall within budget.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
Experience: 10+ years of experience in corporate communications and media relations within fintech, financial services, or a related field.
Required Skills:
- Exceptional writing and content development skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Proven experience in crisis and issues management, with the ability to navigate complex reputational challenges.
- Familiarity with financial regulations, industry trends, and market dynamics within the global payments and fintech ecosystem.
- Experience managing agency teams and managing budgets effectively.
- Digital, social, and emerging media expertise, with an understanding of how to leverage these channels for corporate storytelling.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in multiple languages.
- Experience working with global teams and managing remote employees.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a proactive, results-driven mindset and a sense of humor, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $190,000 - $240,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Director-level role in financial services in New York City)
Benefits:
- Outstanding medical, dental, and vision insurance (individual plan 100% covered) HSA and FSA
- 401K with employer match
- Fitness/Wellness reimbursement
- Generous PTO, paid holidays, and parental leave
- Learning and development opportunities
- Flexible work from home schedule
- Volunteer activities
- Fun office culture with supportive leadership
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible work from home schedule
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in financial services in New York City. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, specifically global payment solutions and mass payout services.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (mid-sized company)
Founded: 2005, with headquarters in New York, NY
Company Description:
- Payoneer is the financial technology company empowering the world’s small and medium-sized businesses to transact, do business, and grow globally.
- The company was founded with the belief that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not, and its mission is to enable any entrepreneur and business anywhere to participate and succeed in an increasingly digital global economy.
- Payoneer has built a global financial stack that removes barriers and simplifies cross-border commerce, making it easier for millions of SMBs, particularly in emerging markets, to connect to the global economy, pay and get paid, manage their funds across multiple currencies, and grow their businesses.
Company Specialties:
- Mass Payout Services
- Global Payment Solutions
- Global Bank Transfers
Company Website: http://www.payoneer.com
ASSUMPTION: Payoneer is a well-established company in the financial services industry, with a strong focus on global payment solutions and mass payout services. The company is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a strong emphasis on employee development and growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the VP of Communications and working closely with senior executives and other key stakeholders globally.
Reporting Structure: This role will oversee regional communications teams, spokespeople, agencies, customers, and partners worldwide.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a flexible work from home schedule and regular on-site presence in New York, NY.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior role within the communications department or take on additional responsibilities as the company continues to expand globally.
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business growth and enhance Payoneer's brand and market position.
- Chance to develop and mentor junior team members, contributing to the overall growth and success of the global communications team.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Payoneer's global communications strategy and reputation.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a flexible work from home schedule and regular on-site presence in New York, NY.
Office Location(s): 195 Broadway, 27th floor, New York, NY 10007, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major global financial hub, with a vibrant and dynamic business environment.
- The city offers a wide range of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options, as well as easy access to international travel.
- New York City is known for its fast-paced, competitive work environment, with high expectations for performance and results.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible work from home schedule and regular on-site presence in New York, NY.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing employees to enjoy the flexibility of working from home while also benefiting from the collaboration and networking opportunities that come with an on-site presence in New York City.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the Payoneer careers portal.
- Phone or video screen with the HR department to discuss qualifications and fit for the role.
- In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other members of the communications team to assess communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
- Final on-site or virtual interview with senior leadership to discuss the role's expectations, growth opportunities, and next steps.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal, with a focus on crafting compelling narratives and engaging with media outlets and stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Crisis management experience and the ability to navigate complex reputational challenges.
- Understanding of financial regulations, industry trends, and market dynamics within the global payments and fintech ecosystem.
- Ability to work effectively with global teams and manage remote employees.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management.
- Prepare examples of your thought leadership content and successful media placements to showcase your ability to drive coverage and engagement.
- Be ready to discuss your approach to crisis communications and how you've managed reputational challenges in previous roles.
- Research Payoneer's mission, values, and recent news to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its global payment solutions.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department within a week of your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
ATS Keywords: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Crisis Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Thought Leadership, Global Communications, Financial Services, Fintech, Global Payments, Reputation Management, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Digital Media Expertise, Budget Management, Press Coverage, Content Development, Team Management, Global Communications Strategy
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will be comprehensive and competitive, with a strong focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Applicants should be prepared to provide specific examples of their accomplishments in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, or similar)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or similar)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
- Video conferencing and collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working with a variety of tools and technologies relevant to corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management. Familiarity with industry-standard tools and platforms is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric: Putting customers at the heart of everything we do.
- Global: Embracing diversity, inclusion, and global perspectives.
- Innovative: Pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.
- Collaborative: Working together to achieve exceptional results.
- Accountable: Taking ownership and delivering on our commitments.
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on results and performance.
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and communication.
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data and insights to inform decision-making and strategy.
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a changing and evolving work environment.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Payoneer's customer-centric value, and can you provide an example of a time when you put customers at the heart of your communications strategy?
- How do you embrace global perspectives in your communications approach, and can you share an example of a successful global communications campaign you've led?
- How do you push boundaries and challenge the status quo in your communications work, and can you provide an example of a time when you innovated in your role?
ASSUMPTION: Payoneer is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and accountability. The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit, with a passion for Payoneer's mission and values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The fast-paced and dynamic work environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment.
- The role requires managing multiple projects simultaneously, which may be overwhelming for candidates who struggle with time management or prioritization.
- The global nature of the role may present challenges in coordinating with remote teams and managing time zones.
- The competitive nature of the financial services industry may require the candidate to navigate complex reputational challenges and manage high-stakes crises.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. They will also have strong time management and prioritization skills, as well as experience managing global teams and navigating complex reputational challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Director of Corporate Communications or a Director of Media Relations in a mid-sized or enterprise-level financial services or fintech company.
- However, this role is unique in its global scope and focus on driving business growth and enhancing Payoneer's brand and market position through strategic communications and thought leadership.
- Career paths for this role may include progression to a more senior role within the communications department, such as VP or Chief Communications Officer, or transitioning to a different functional area, such as marketing or investor relations.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Payoneer's global communications strategy and reputation. The ideal candidate will have a strong strategic mindset, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global media relations campaign to secure high-impact coverage in top-tier business, financial, and tech media, resulting in a significant increase in brand awareness and market share.
- Managing a global crisis communications response, including coordinating with regional teams, spokespeople, and external stakeholders to mitigate reputational damage and ensure business continuity.
- Creating a thought leadership platform and developing content, including data reports, bylines, and blogs, to drive coverage and engagement, ultimately enhancing Payoneer's brand and market position.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, innovative, and collaborative nature of the Director, External Communications role at Payoneer. The ideal candidate will have experience managing similar projects and driving meaningful results in a global communications context.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into Payoneer's overall communications strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its communications team members?
- What are the most significant reputational challenges facing Payoneer, and how has the company addressed them in the past?
- How does the company measure the success of its communications initiatives, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important for this role?
- What is the company's approach to crisis communications, and how does this role fit into the broader crisis management strategy?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their understanding of Payoneer's communications strategy and business objectives.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management.
- Prepare examples of your thought leadership content and successful media placements to showcase your ability to drive coverage and engagement.
- Be ready to discuss your approach to crisis communications and how you've managed reputational challenges in previous roles.
- Research Payoneer's mission, values, and recent news to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its global payment solutions.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department within a week of your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
