📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director of Brand and Communications
🔹 Company: ACAMS
🔹 Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and owning ACAMS' global messaging, communications, and brand strategy
- Leading a team to manage member communications, external PR, social media, and brand identity
- Operationalizing brand and communication strategy across marketing, sales, and product efforts
- Driving awareness and engagement through external communications and media relations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and operational mindset, with experience in brand, communications, or marketing leadership roles, preferably in financial services or compliance.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and own ACAMS' brand positioning, messaging, and storytelling approach
✅ Lead member and external communications to reinforce ACAMS' value to members and the industry
✅ Manage the global marketing calendar and execute key brand and communication initiatives
✅ Oversee content and copywriting for web, email, social, and print channels
✅ Own social and communications strategy to drive awareness and engagement
✅ Ensure brand consistency across all channels and materials
✅ Work cross-functionally to embed brand messaging into marketing, sales, and product efforts
✅ Lead and develop a high-performing team across brand, content, social, and communications
ASSUMPTION: This role involves both strategic planning and day-to-day management, requiring strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience in brand, communications, or marketing leadership roles, with a preference for experience in financial services, compliance, or related industries
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to develop and execute global brand strategy
- Strong understanding of membership-driven and/or subscription media organizations
- Excellent storytelling, writing, and messaging skills
- Experience managing teams across editorial, content, social, and communications
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with CRM and marketing automation tools
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in anti-financial crime (AFC) or anti-money laundering (AML) may have an advantage, but this is not a strict requirement.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $180,000 - $200,000 per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Professional development opportunities
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: ACAMS operates in the financial services industry, focusing on anti-financial crime (AFC) education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking for AFC professionals globally.
Company Size: ACAMS is a mid-sized organization with 51-200 employees, providing opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: ACAMS was founded in 2002 and has since grown to become the largest international membership organization for Anti-Financial Crime professionals.
Company Description:
- ACAMS offers opportunities for AFC education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking through its CAMS, CGSS, and CCAS certifications, as well as its 60+ global chapters.
- The organization is committed to ending financial crime through knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, ESG initiatives, and public-private dialogue.
- ACAMS' CAMS certification is the gold standard for AFC professionals, while its CGSS and CCAS certifications cater to sanctions professionals and crypto practitioners, respectively.
Company Specialties:
- Anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) knowledge-sharing and training
- Sanctions compliance and risk mitigation
- Crypto asset compliance and risk management
- ESG initiatives and public-private dialogue
Company Website: http://www.acams.org
ASSUMPTION: ACAMS' focus on anti-financial crime makes it an attractive employer for professionals interested in this field, offering opportunities for career growth and impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Director roles typically report directly to the C-level executive or the head of the department and have significant influence on strategic decision-making.
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and oversees a team of brand, content, social, and communications professionals.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring 2-3 days on-site per week at ACAMS' Washington, D.C. headquarters.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape ACAMS' brand and communications strategy, driving business growth and member engagement
- Opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and product, to embed brand messaging across the organization
- Possibility to mentor and develop team members, fostering a high-performing and inclusive work environment
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a tangible impact on ACAMS' brand and communications strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: ACAMS' headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., offering a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): 1030 15th St NW, Suite 550, Washington, District of Columbia 20005, US
Geographic Context:
- Washington, D.C. is a vibrant and multicultural city, offering a wide range of cultural, historical, and recreational activities.
- The city is home to numerous financial institutions, think tanks, and international organizations, providing ample networking opportunities.
- ACAMS' location in the heart of Washington, D.C. allows for easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week, with flexible remote work arrangements)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to various work preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- First-round interview with the hiring manager (Chief Marketing Officer)
- Second-round interview with a panel of team members or stakeholders
- Final interview with the CEO or another C-level executive
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand strategy development and execution
- Communication and messaging skills
- Team leadership and management
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand, communications, and leadership experience, as well as any relevant industry or financial services experience.
- Prepare examples of your brand strategy, messaging, and content development work to discuss during the interview.
- Research ACAMS' brand and communications efforts to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.
ATS Keywords: Brand strategy, communications, marketing leadership, storytelling, content development, social media, team management, public relations, messaging, visual identity, operational strategy, member engagement, risk mitigation, thought leadership, networking, compliance
ASSUMPTION: ACAMS uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM and marketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, Marketo)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
- Design and graphics tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is beneficial but not always required, as ACAMS may provide training and support for new hires.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Expertise
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Results-driven and strategic
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and professional development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with ACAMS' core values, and can you provide examples of your commitment to these principles in your previous roles?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site collaboration and remote work?
- How does your work style contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture, and can you provide examples of your ability to foster collaboration and adaptability?
ASSUMPTION: ACAMS values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who can demonstrate their commitment to these principles will be well-positioned for success in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing strategic brand development with day-to-day communications and content management
- Managing a team with diverse skills and backgrounds, requiring strong leadership and communication skills
- Navigating a hybrid work environment, balancing on-site collaboration and remote work
- Adapting to the unique culture and dynamics of a mid-sized organization in the financial services industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior director roles in brand and communications, this position offers a unique focus on anti-financial crime and membership-driven organizations.
- ACAMS' mid-sized organization structure provides opportunities for growth and impact that may not be available in larger enterprises.
- This role offers a blend of strategic and operational responsibilities, catering to candidates with a diverse skill set and experience in brand, communications, or marketing leadership roles.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in related roles or industries may find this position appealing due to its unique focus on anti-financial crime and membership-driven organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive brand strategy for a global anti-financial crime organization
- Leading a team to create and execute a communications campaign to launch a new certification program for sanctions professionals
- Managing a rebranding effort, including visual identity, messaging, and content development, to reflect an organization's evolution and growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and operational nature of the role, as well as the opportunity to make a tangible impact on ACAMS' brand and communications efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into ACAMS' overall strategy for growth and expansion in the anti-financial crime space?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I contribute to driving immediate impact?
- How does ACAMS support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the brand and communications department?
- What is the expected timeline for hiring and onboarding, and how will my transition into the role be supported?
- How does ACAMS foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion, and what are the expectations for team leadership and management in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to driving success at ACAMS.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand, communications, and leadership experience, as well as any relevant industry or financial services experience.
- Prepare examples of your brand strategy, messaging, and content development work to discuss during the interview.
- Research ACAMS' brand and communications efforts to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
