Director/Senior Director, Strategic Communications

Bully Pulpit International•Washington, DC

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Bully Pulpit International (BPI) is an outcomes agency composed of strategists, data scientists, and artists from diverse backgrounds in politics, brands, and government. We operate globally with over 400 team members across thirteen offices in six countries, including Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, D.C., London, Los Angeles, New York, Oslo, San Francisco, and Zürich. BPI specializes in strategic communications, public affairs, research, and digital marketing, creating customized strategies to drive change for clients in both American and European markets. This Director/Senior Director role serves as the primary liaison between agency leadership and client success, managing the entire client account lifecycle from new business pitches to final reporting. The position demands a blend of political acumen, creative expertise, and project management precision, functioning as a 'player-coach' adept at client meetings, content redlining, and managing editorial calendars. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, can quickly grasp client needs, and translate them into actionable strategies. Proactive engagement with client issue areas to identify opportunities before they arise is a key aspect of this role.

Requirements

8–10+ years in public affairs, PR, or strategic comms (agency or political background preferred).
Mastery of AP Style; ability to pivot between creative storytelling and analytical strategic reporting.
Proficiency in media monitoring software (Cision, Meltwater) and social media marketing platforms.
Proven track record of managing multi-client deliverables and leading cross-functional teams with minimal oversight.
Ability to stay calm and provide "real-time" recommendations under high-pressure, tight-timeline scenarios.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level decision-makers, offering real-time strategic counsel with minimal oversight.
Set the strategy for and oversee the execution of earned and owned media campaigns, ensuring they align with the client’s long-term goals.
Shepherd projects across multi-disciplinary service teams, including media planning, media buying, creative, measurement, and data insights.
Oversee the production of everything from high-level strategic memos and communications plans to tactical press releases, op-eds, and social media content.
Proactively develop earned media strategies, leveraging existing reporter relationships to place stories that move the needle on key issues.
Manage internal teams across different offices to ensure quality control and adherence to tight deadlines.
Act as a coach and/or direct manager for junior staff, providing clear feedback and supporting their professional development.
Partner with agency leadership to identify, draft, and present proposals for new business opportunities.
Expand existing accounts while establishing trust with prospective clients through compelling pitch decks and presentations.