Director/Senior Director, Strategic Communications

About the Organization

Bully Pulpit International is an outcomes-focused agency that brings together strategists, data scientists, and creatives. Drawing experience from politics, brand work, and government, the firm works without silos and measures the results that matter. With more than 400 employees across six countries and thirteen offices—including Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Washington, D.C., London, Los Angeles, New York, Oslo, San Francisco, and Zürich—the agency develops tailored strategies across strategic communications, public affairs, research, and digital marketing for clients in the United States and Europe.

Role Overview

The Director/Senior Director in Strategic Communications acts as the main connection point between agency leadership and client outcomes. In this position, you will own client relationships and manage the full account journey, starting with new business pitching and continuing through final reporting. The work calls for a blend of political judgment, creative thinking, and disciplined project management.

You will operate as a player-coach, moving comfortably from executive-level pitch discussions to editing press materials and managing detailed content calendars. The role demands comfort with ambiguity, the ability to quickly translate client needs into practical strategy, and a proactive approach to spotting opportunities within a client’s issue landscape before they surface externally.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will guide strategic accounts, advise senior stakeholders, direct integrated communications campaigns, and support business growth efforts.

• Act as the main contact for senior client leaders and provide timely strategic guidance with little day-to-day supervision.
• Build campaign strategy and oversee earned and owned media programs aligned to long-term client objectives.
• Coordinate work across media planning, media buying, creative, measurement, and data insight teams.
• Review and shape high-level communications documents, including strategic memos, communications plans, press releases, op-eds, and social content.
• Develop proactive earned media approaches and use reporter relationships to secure coverage that advances key priorities.
• Oversee workflows across multiple offices to maintain quality standards and meet demanding deadlines.
• Coach junior team members or directly manage them, offering clear feedback and supporting growth.
• Partner with leadership on new business efforts, including proposal development and presentation preparation.
• Strengthen existing client relationships and help win new work through strong pitches, decks, and presentations.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• At least 8 to 10+ years of experience in public affairs, public relations, or strategic communications, with agency or political experience preferred.
• Strong command of AP style and the ability to move between creative messaging and analytical reporting.
• Working knowledge of media monitoring tools such as Cision and Meltwater, as well as social media marketing platforms.
• Proven success managing multiple client deliverables and leading cross-functional teams with limited oversight.
• Ability to remain composed and provide immediate recommendations in fast-moving, high-pressure situations.

Benefits

U.S.-based employees receive a broad benefits package that includes employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan with up to 4% company match; generous vacation time; a $50 monthly phone reimbursement; unlimited sick leave; and 16 weeks of paid parental leave.

Additional Information

The starting salary range for this position is $110,000 to $160,000. Employees are expected to work from one of the company offices in Washington, DC, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, or Los Angeles at least three days each week.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and evaluates applicants based on merit and commitment to excellence. All qualified candidates are considered without discrimination based on protected characteristics, and applicants with criminal histories are reviewed in accordance with applicable legal requirements. The organization also welcomes candidates whose backgrounds do not match every qualification exactly and encourages applications from people excited about the role. The workplace is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging.