Director

Milltown Partners; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay bands

401(k) with company match

Healthcare options

PTO 26 days + holidays

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Milltown Partners is seeking a Director-level communications leader in San Francisco. You will advise top clients, shape strategic direction, and build and lead teams delivering high-impact work across technology, business and culture.

This hands-on role combines client delivery with firm-building responsibilities and a strong AI-enabled advisory focus. The position emphasizes leading major client engagements, developing research-driven strategies, and expanding the firm’s network and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in corporate communications, either consultancy or in-house, with tech exposure.
• Ability to shape research-driven strategies influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience building advisory relationships with executives and delivering strategic counsel.
• Proven track record in media strategy and relationships with senior editors.
• Experience leading competitive pitches and new business conversations.
• Existing networks in tech, policy, media or investor communities.
• Experience managing high-performing teams and coaching.
• Strong grasp of AI tools in advisory work and driving adoption.
• Curiosity to develop expertise in new areas and an entrepreneurial networking approach.
• Commitment to feedback and inclusive culture.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience advising on technology regulation or emerging tech challenges.
• Experience working within scaling teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead client relationships at the highest level and shape strategic direction.
• Structure teams for success, set priorities, and coach members to deliver high-quality work.
• Drive AI-enhanced advisory capabilities and share best practices across the firm.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and cultivate an external network.
• Contribute to shaping the firm's future and scaling the AI capabilities.

Skills

Corporate communications

C-suite advisory

Media relations

New business pitches

AI in advisory

Team leadership

Job description

Our clients operate at the frontiers of innovation - we advise technology companies driving change, global investors funding the future, the giants of sport and entertainment, and influential individuals on the communications and policy challenges that define their reputations. Our work spans corporate and financial communications, policy and public affairs to engage regulators and policymakers, policy communications and leadership communications. We underpin the full breadth of our capabilities with research-driven insights and campaigns. We're also pioneering AI-enhanced advisory work for both our clients and internal innovation, using technology to unlock insights from data at unprecedented scale and speed.

The role

Our Directors are exceptional communications leaders - ready to advise the organisations and individuals reshaping technology, business and culture, whilst building and leading the teams that make it happen.

Your work could span AI companies defining responsible innovation, investors backing the next generation of technology, sports franchises building global audiences, and leaders whose decisions shape industries. The clients are category-defining. The challenges are complex. The standards are uncompromising.

Directors at Milltown are ultimately responsible for the quality of everything we produce. You'll lead client relationships at the highest level, shape strategic direction, structure teams for success, and ensure work consistently exceeds expectations. This is a hands‑on leadership role - you'll advise clients directly, craft the strategies that guide execution, and play an active role in delivering breakthrough work alongside your teams. Beyond client delivery, you'll help shape the firm's future. You'll drive new business, build networks that unlock opportunities, and contribute to how we're scaling our AI capabilities while developing our people.

What you'll do

Lead work that matters

You'll set strategic direction for our clients’ most important communications challenges, whether that’s navigating policy debates, preparing for major announcements, or protecting reputation when stakes are highest. You'll build the trust that lets you deliver genuinely impactful advice, drawing on the full resources of the firm to help clients build and defend their reputations.

Drive teams and develop talent

You'll structure teams for success, set clear priorities, and hold everyone (including yourself) to the highest standards. You'll coach your teams to deliver brilliant work independently, share your expertise in ways that elevate the whole team, and create an environment where people develop rapidly. You'll work alongside your peers to lead and inspire colleagues across our US team, fostering a culture where exceptional advice, continuous learning and collaboration are the norm.

Pioneer AI-enhanced advisory

You'll help drive how we're using AI to transform the quality and precision of our work. You'll guide colleagues in developing AI capabilities, document and share best practice across the firm, and push the boundaries of what's possible in advisory work through technology.

Build the business

You'll identify and convert new opportunities, lead competitive pitches that showcase our full capabilities, and extend work with existing clients. You'll cultivate an external network that delivers results for our current clients and you'll think entrepreneurially about how to attract new clients, reach potential referrers, and build connections that strengthen the firm's position.

Shape our culture

You'll give and receive regular feedback at all levels, demonstrate allyship to colleagues, actively seek input from others, and support the wellbeing of everyone on the team. You'll contribute to a culture where brilliance, restlessness, comradeship, inclusivity and integrity aren't just values - they're how we operate every day.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who combines deep expertise with the energy and vision to keep pushing forward.

• At least 10 years of corporate communications experience in consultancy or in-house roles, including significant time in the technology space
• Proven ability to develop research-driven communication strategies that influence outcomes for senior stakeholders
• Experience building advisory relationships with C-suite leaders and delivering strategic counsel in high-pressure situations
• Track record of developing media strategies and managing relationships with senior editors
• Experience leading competitive pitches and new business conversations with demonstrable results
• Existing network within technology, policy, media or investor communities
• Experience managing high-performing teams and developing others through coaching and feedback
• Strong grasp of AI tools and their application in advisory work, with ability to drive adoption across teams
• Intellectual curiosity to develop expertise in new areas and an entrepreneurial approach to building networks
• Commitment to seeking feedback and contributing to an inclusive culture
• Excellent command of written and verbal English
• Experience advising on technology regulation, or emerging technology challenges
• Experience working within scaling teams

We're an independent, employee-owned firm, which means the people who work here share in our collective success. We operate across London, Brussels, San Francisco, New York, advising technology companies, global investors, iconic brands and influential individuals on the communications and policy challenges that define their reputations.

Our culture is built on five values: brilliance, restlessness, comradeship, inclusivity and integrity. We expect a lot from each other, but we also invest in each other - through honest feedback, shared learning and genuine care that goes beyond the work itself.

We're also serious about building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We have measurable commitments around representation, inclusion, and supporting underrepresented communities through pro bono work. Creating an environment where everyone can thrive is central to how we operate.

By joining us, you’ll have access to:

• Competitive, transparent pay with open salary bands, plus twice-yearly bonuses
• 401(k) with company match, eligible from day one
• Robust healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus dedicated mental health support
• 26 days PTO, 10 sick days, and 10 public holidays
• Two-week company-wide winter break
• Paid parental leave
• Sabbatical leave
• Hybrid working model with three days in office (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
• Structured career development with clear progression pathways and a defined career framework