Managing Director, Strategic Communications - Technology bei Bully Pulpit International

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 250 team members in six countries and ten offices — Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, D.C., Düsseldorf, 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 a seasoned, outcomes-driven Managing Director to lead and expand our 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.

The Managing Director oversees large, multi-service accounts and drives agency growth by managing a portfolio of clients (averaging over $5M in annual net revenue), shaping agency strategy, and contributing to culture and retention. They also lead new business efforts and are seen as an external thought leader in the technology sector.

This role requires a unique fusion of deep strategic client counsel, effective team management, and new business development in the technology sector.

• Location: Expectation to work from our San Francisco office at least 3x a week
• Salary: Starting range of $200,000 base

What Day to Day Looks Like

1. Strategic Client Leadership & Outcomes

• Serve as the senior strategic advisor to C-suite and executive leaders within the technology sector, guiding them through complex challenges related to corporate reputation, public affairs, and market positioning.
• Independently run large and complex (multi-service) books of business, working across a variety of corporate and/or public affairs projects.
• Design, sell, and oversee the execution of comprehensive, integrated communications campaigns—ensuring seamless coordination across policy intelligence, message development, earned/owned media, and digital/paid advocacy.
• Drive accountability for measurable outcomes, utilizing data and analytics to prove campaign impact and continually optimize strategy, shifting focus from pure media relations to demonstrable change in opinion or policy.
• Anticipate and advise clients on emerging political, regulatory, and cultural shifts (e.g., AI governance, antitrust, social impact) that affect their brand and operations.
• 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.

2. Account Management & Agency Operations

• Responsible for the technology client portfolio, ensuring client profitability, efficient resource management, and controlled growth.
• Lead the entire account lifecycle, from initial client contracting and scoping through final campaign and measurement, including renewing and growing your book of business.
• Accountable for the efficient time management of agency resources under your supervisory oversight.
• Responsible for ensuring quality of deliverables and supporting internal agency operations.

3. New Business Development & Thought Leadership

• Help the agency hit its top-line goals by proactively identifying, pitching, and winning integrated strategic communications business—developing net new inbound leads and working with Executive Leadership to finalize deals.
• Craft persuasive proposals and lead high-stakes pitches, articulating a differentiated strategy that leverages the agency's data-driven, campaign-centric model.
• Elevate the agency’s profile as a leading strategic partner by acting as a public-facing expert and thought leader on technology, policy, and communications trends (speaking, publishing, etc.).
• Be an ambassador for the brand in your region/vertical, proactively and independently networking and developing relationships to attract new talent and increase agency presence.
• Expected to stay in front of market trends and provide valuable strategic input to agency growth considerations.

4. Agency Strategy and Culture

• While not responsible for agency governance, you will provide feedback to Executive Leadership on organization-wide issues and the agency’s strategic direction, including regular participation in leadership meetings.
• Provide ideas for new marketing initiatives, contribute to defining staff priorities, and to staff recruitment.
• Responsible for driving agency culture and contributing to the staff’s professional development opportunities.

5. Team Management

• Mentor and manage a team, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture that values speed and cross-functional integration, and scaling by training and developing future agency leaders.

Requirements

What You Bring

• 15+ years of progressive, 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.
• Proven ability to manage and grow a multi-million-dollar client portfolio (on track to manage over $5M in annual net revenue), including responsibility for profitability and revenue targets.
• A track record of success in new business acquisition and leading large, complex pitch processes.
• 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).

Benefits

BPI offers a wide range of benefits to U.S.-based employees, including 100% 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 eleven 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, 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