Director, Crisis Communications

Bully Pulpit International is an outcomes agency made up of strategists, data scientists, and creatives. We come from politics, brands, non-profits, and government. Our 400-person team now spans 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 for both American and European clients.

• Starting Salary Range: $110,000 - $135,000
• Location: Expectation to work in-person from DC, New York or Chicago at least 3 days a week, and remotely the balance of the time.

The Impact You Will Make

As Director, you will lead strategic efforts for clients navigating serious public challenges and reputational risks. You will lead client work from end to end-managing the immediate emergency response, guiding them through the peak of a crisis, and helping them rebuild their brand afterward. This role demands a combination of political acumen, discretion, creative problem-solving, and meticulous project management.

As a true "player-coach," you are equally comfortable advising executives on strategy as you are executing hands-on deliverables. You excel in fast-moving environments, possess a sharp ability to distill complex issues into compelling narratives, and bring an entrepreneurial, can-do spirit to intense situations. You recognize that the modern news cycle never stops and possess the 24/7 agility required of a top-tier communications professional.

The ideal candidate will have a blend of agency + in-house or government experience. Previous agency experience is highly desired.

What Day to Day Looks Like for You at BPI:

1. Account Leadership & Client Advice

• Strategic Client Leader: You will act as the primary point of contact for corporate leaders and legal teams, providing steady, clear counsel when the stakes are highest. You bring a reliable presence to high-pressure situations and are fully adaptable to the 24/7 nature of crisis communications.
• Campaign Strategy: You will create and run communications plans to handle active threats, using a mix of news coverage, digital channels, and internal messaging to protect the client's reputation.
• Collaborative Execution: You will coordinate with internal teams specializing in data, digital media, and creative design. This position expects you to have a proven track record of creating clear, polished client products (memos, strategy decks, and graphic reports) that keep executives informed and aligned.

2. Media Relations & Writing

• Rapid-Response Writing: You will deploy versatile writing skills to draft high-stakes materials under tight deadlines, quickly producing press statements, Q&As, and briefings as breaking news unfolds. Excellent writing skills are a baseline requirement of this position.
• Direct Media Engagement: You will manage incoming media inquiries and proactively ensure your client's side of the story is told accurately. This position assumes your background and experience includes routinely engaging reporters far beyond email (via phone, video, or in-person), and you are entirely comfortable calling journalists to push back on inaccuracies.
• Strategic Media Relations: You will shape stories directly with journalists to protect a client's brand or correct the record. Experience navigating the current media landscape, including negotiating off-the-record, background, and deep-background terms, is a required skill for this position.

3. Team Management

• Project Oversight: You will manage internal teams across offices to make sure work is accurate, secure, and delivered on time. To excel in this position, you must be comfortable navigating tight deadlines and inspiring others to meet the demands of a 24-7 communications environment.
• Mentorship: You will act as a manager and coach for junior staff, teaching them how to support clients and agency leadership during crisis communications situations.

4. Business Development

• Proposal Writing: You will work with agency leadership to spot new business opportunities and draft client-ready proposals that include media relations and strategic communications components. Previous experience drafting quality, successful proposals is highly desired for this position.
• Client Growth: You will build deeper relationships with existing clients by introducing crisis-preparedness planning, and win over new clients by drafting and creating clear, pitch presentations.