PR Managing Associate

The Key PR; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Key, a boutique PR and communications agency in San Francisco, seeks a senior PR leader who thrives on direct founder work and owning client relationships. This hands-on role emphasizes pitching, writing, and idea generation for B2B tech clients.

You’ll manage accounts end-to-end, mentor junior team members, and build strategic media relations across channels, with a hybrid schedule in our downtown SF office.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of PR agency experience with ownership of client relationships.
• Proven track record in managing people and projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a storytelling instinct.
• Genuine curiosity about the VC and tech ecosystem, not just obligation.
• Comfort with independent work within a highly collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Own client and project management end-to-end from kickoff through wins.
• Lead client meetings, drive plan development, oversee day-to-day execution.
• Navigate change with clear communication and steadiness.
• Mentor junior team members and build their skills.

Skills

PR agency experience

Ownership of client relationships

People & project management

Excellent written & verbal comms

Storytelling instinct

Curiosity about VC & tech ecosystem

Independent work in collaborative team

Job description

The Key is a boutique PR and communications agency built for founders at every stage - from early builders to established companies still writing their next chapter. We work with brands in AI, energy, B2B, personal finance, VC, and more.

We're expanding our team with people who are genuinely curious about where technology is going and how the Valley ecosystem works behind it. You've worked with B2B tech, you know a strong pitch when you see one, and you're skilled at managing accounts with a high level of ownership. You're ready to work directly with founders - ours and our clients'.

This is a hands-on role for people who want to do the actual work of PR - pitching, writing, building ideas - not just manage processes around it.

What We're Looking For

• 5-8+ years of PR agency experience, with real ownership of client relationships - B2B tech agency experience required
• A track record of managing people and projects, and wanting more of both
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with genuine storytelling instinct
• A demonstrated pull toward the VC and tech ecosystem - not professional obligation, real curiosity
• Comfort working independently and thriving in a highly-collaborative team
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule out of our downtown San Francisco office

What You'll Do

Client Service

• Own client and project management end-to-end, from kickoff through wins
• Lead client meetings, drive plan development, and oversee day-to-day execution for your accounts
• Navigate periods of change or challenge with a steady hand and clear communication
• Mentor junior team members, building their skills alongside your own

Media Relations

• Identify, pitch, and build real relationships with media across channels — established and emerging, earned and beyond
• Write fast and well across formats: press releases, media lists, briefing books, backgrounders, awards and speaking submissions, Q&As, contributed content, and more
• Turn research — AI-assisted and old-fashioned — into sharp, synthesized stories
• Mine client data for the angle that makes a pitch land
• Bring strategic and creative thinking to brainstorms, for clients and for The Key's own growth
• Partner with leadership to build communications strategies and the programs that deliver them
• Contribute to branding, digital, social, and marketing strategy as an integrated partner to clients
• Map your work to clients' actual business goals — not coverage for coverage's sake

Why The Key

One of our Key Agreements is to Go Beyond — and that's not a poster on the wall, it's how we hire, staff, and grow. You'll work directly with founders, have real input on strategy from day one, and build your career alongside a small team that's invested in your growth, not just your output.