Managing Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Communications (Technology)

Bully Pulpit International; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits (100% company-paid)

401(k) with employer match

Generous vacation

Phone reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Sick leave

Job summary

Bully Pulpit International is seeking a Managing Director to lead the Public Affairs & Strategic Communications practice for technology clients. You will interact with C-suite leaders, shape strategy, and oversee cross-functional teams across policy, campaigns, and media.

This is a leadership role reporting to a Partner, with responsibility for client strategy and new business development. The role emphasizes deep strategic client counsel, team mentorship, and driving revenue growth while

Qualifications

• 12+ years of senior experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or a leadership role at an integrated agency or consulting firm.
• Deep and demonstrated expertise advising executive-level clients within the Technology sector on high-stakes corporate reputation and policy challenges.
• Exceptional executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex policy or technical details into compelling, high-impact narratives.
• Must be deeply knowledgeable about the current political, media, and cultural landscape, with experience running integrated campaigns (earned, owned, and paid media).
• Operate with a high level of organization and precision—managing scopes, budgets, reporting, and team delivery with excellence, all while leading multiple workstreams.
• Ability to mobilize fast-paced, highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Client Leadership & Outcomes — guide C-suite leaders on corporate reputation, public affairs, and market positioning across tech projects.
• Oversee multi-service books of business and ensure integrated campaigns across policy, media, and digital channels.
• Provide strategic feedback to executives on governance and long-term agency direction.
• Drive agency culture and retention by mentoring future leaders and identifying top talent.
• Manage resource allocation and time management for client teams.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Leadership

Executive-level communication

Policy challenges

Campaign management

Team leadership

C-suite advisory

Job description

Bully Pulpit International is an outcomes agency made up of strategists, data scientists, and artists. We come from politics, brands, and government and we communicate without barriers and measure what matters. We have more than 400 team members in six countries and thirteen offices — Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, D.C., London, Los Angeles, New York, Oslo, San Francisco, and Zürich. We apply our unique expertise across strategic communications, public affairs, research, and digital marketing to create sophisticated and customized strategies that make change possible for both American and European clients.

The Impact You Will Make

We are seeking an outcomes-driven Managing Director to join our Public Affairs & Strategic Communications practice for a portfolio of high-stakes Technology clients. This is a leadership position for a proven professional who can operate at the intersection of business, politics, and public policy, combining strategic consulting rigor with the agility and urgency of a modern political campaign. This role reports to a Partner.

This role requires a unique fusion of deep strategic client counsel, effective team management, and new business development in the technology sector. You will be a cultural anchor for the firm, shaping agency strategy while serving as a advisor to C-suite leaders. You are not just an account lead; you are an external thought leader and an expert strategist in the tech vertical.

• Starting Salary Range: $250,000 (+ annual qualitative & quantitative portfolio bonus)
• Location: Expectation to work from our San Francisco office at least 3x a week

What Day to Day Looks Like

Client Management

• Strategic Client Leadership & Outcomes - You will serve as the strategic contributor to C-suite and executive leaders within the technology sector, guiding them through complex challenges related to corporate reputation, public affairs, and market positioning. You will support large and complex (multi-service) books of business, working across a variety of corporate and/or public affairs projects. You will oversee the execution of comprehensive, integrated communications campaigns—ensuring seamless coordination across policy intelligence, message development, earned/owned media, and digital/paid advocacy. You must anticipate and advise clients on emerging political, regulatory, and cultural shifts (e.g., AI governance, antitrust, social impact) that affect their brand and operations. You will be seen as an expert in your field by senior clients—a strategist, not just an account lead—and command original expertise within the technology vertical.
• Business Affairs – You will be responsible for driving the strategy, deepening the trust of your clients and supporting BPI’s Partners and Executive Leadership team on a variety of accounts. You will serve as the main point of contact and oversee the daily management, communication and execution of services for the client, which often include senior management or executive level decision-makers.

Agency Strategy & Culture

• Strategic Direction: Provide critical feedback to Executive Leadership on organization-wide governance and the agency’s long-term strategic direction.
• Talent Development: Drive agency culture and retention by mentoring future leaders and identifying/recruiting industry-leading talent.
• Resource Management: Remain accountable for the efficient time management and allocation of agency resources for client teams you manage.

New Business & Thought Leadership

• Revenue Growth: Drive top-line goals by developing net-new inbound leads and collaborating with Executive Leadership to secure new client wins.
• Market Ambassadorship: Act as a brand ambassador in the tech industry, staying ahead of market trends to provide strategic input for agency growth.
• External Presence: Increase BPI’s industry footprint through proactive networking, speaking engagements, panels, and published thought leadership pieces.

What You Bring

• 12+ years of senior experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or a leadership role at an integrated agency or consulting firm
• Deep and demonstrated expertise in advising executive-level clients within the Technology sector on high-stakes corporate reputation and policy challenges
• Exceptional executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex policy or technical details into compelling, high-impact narratives
• Must be deeply knowledgeable about the current political, media, and cultural landscape, with experience running integrated campaigns (combining earned, owned, and paid media)
• Operate with a high level of organization and precision—managing scopes, budgets, reporting, and team delivery with excellence, all while leading multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Ability to mobilize fast-paced, highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams

BPI offers a wide range of benefits to U.S.-based employees, including100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) program with employer match up to 4%, generous time off for vacation, $50 monthly phone reimbursement, unlimited sick time, and 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents. BPI’s benefits prioritize employee wellness and progressive support to our diverse workforce.

We’re looking for all kinds of people.

BPI Group is an integrated public affairs agency that delivers outcomes for the top organizations and leaders around the world. With expertise in strategic communications, digital marketing, creative, research, and measurement, we offer a cohesive approach across corporate, policy, and public affairs strategy in today’s interconnected world. By combining incisive strategy and deep tactical expertise, we make change possible. Our transatlantic presence includes offices across thirteen markets in the US and Europe.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on individual commitment to excellence. We want to have the best qualified people in every job. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition or genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

BPI is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. We consider applications holistically and you may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Let’s keep in touch. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at bpigroup.com