Senior Director, Strategic Communications

Bully Pulpit International•Washington, DC

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director serves as the primary bridge between agency leadership and client success, acting as a client lead who owns relationships and oversees accounts from new-business pitches through final reporting. The role combines political and communications judgment, creative storytelling, and project management. The Senior Director interprets client needs, turns them into actionable strategies, and proactively monitors client issue areas for engagement opportunities. The position leads strategic accounts and advises senior client decision-makers, develops and oversees earned and owned media campaigns, and coordinates work across media planning, media buying, creative, measurement, and data insights. It oversees high-stakes communications content and earned-media strategy, manages teams across offices, coaches or directly manages junior staff, and partners with agency leadership on proposals, pitches, and account growth. The role is based from one of the agency’s DC, NYC, SF, Chicago, or LA offices at least three days per week. The starting salary range is $110,000–$160,000, plus an annual bonus.

Requirements

8–10+ years of experience in public affairs, public relations, or strategic communications.
Mastery of AP Style and the ability to move between creative storytelling and analytical strategic reporting.
Proficiency with media-monitoring software such as Cision or Meltwater and social media marketing platforms.
Demonstrated experience managing deliverables across multiple clients and leading cross-functional teams with minimal oversight.
Ability to stay calm and provide real-time recommendations in high-pressure, tight-timeline situations.

Nice To Haves

Agency or political background.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level client decision-makers and provide real-time strategic counsel.
Set strategies for and oversee earned and owned media campaigns aligned with clients’ long-term goals.
Coordinate projects across media planning, media buying, creative, measurement, and data insights teams.
Oversee strategic memos, communications plans, press releases, op-eds, and social media content.
Develop earned-media strategies and use reporter relationships to place stories on key issues.
Manage internal teams across offices to ensure quality and meet deadlines.
Coach and/or directly manage junior staff, provide feedback, and support professional development.
Work with agency leadership to identify, draft, and present proposals for new business.
Grow existing accounts and build trust with prospective clients through pitch decks and presentations.
Monitor client issue areas and proactively identify opportunities for engagement.