Chaloner has partnered with Riff City Strategies on the search for a Director to join their team.

This is not your average communications job and not your typical office environment. We are a group of media and communications strategists who are looking for a driven, motivated director who wants to work with a variety of different clients spanning many different industries. You must be a highly skilled and creative writer who can craft anything from a press release, to a long form thought leadership piece, with ease and confidence.

We provide communications, media relations and public affairs support for a wide variety of companies and organizations. Our clients include startups, aerospace and material science companies, political organizations, judicial accountability and democracy groups, AI and emerging technology companies, environmental groups, homelessness and urban impact nonprofits, govtech companies, cities, venture capital firms, foundations, civic engagement organizations, and more.

We are looking for a hustler who has managed both traditional and digital-focused communications, media relations and public affairs efforts, with a track record of landing impactful media stories and the confidence to swing for the fences again and again. The ideal candidate for this position will be creative, proactive, detail-oriented and self-motivated.

We tackle the most challenging issues facing our society and planet. From taking on the Pentagon to give our soldiers a fair shot at justice, to developing media campaigns that shifted hundreds of millions of dollars to BIPOC-led groups fighting for climate justice, to helping early stage and multi-billion dollar valued technology companies announce their latest innovations. There is never a dull moment at Riff City.

As a result of our agency culture and our commitment to integrity, creativity and results, we've been recognized broadly:

• Fast Company named Riff City one of the Most Innovative Companies in the World
• PRWeek Purpose Awards recognized us as Small Organization of the Year
• Bulldog PR selected Riff City as Best Boutique Agency
• PRWeek selected us as a finalist for the PRWeek Best Boutique Agency award

This is a senior role with real ownership. You will run accounts, set strategy and be the person clients call first. You will also manage and develop a team, and your judgment will be trusted on what goes out the door.This position reports to the CEO and president, and supervises Managers, Senior Associates, Associates and Junior Associates.

Working with us means you'll be surrounded by high-quality teammates and learn something new every day. Riff has a positive, team-oriented culture where you'll be challenged, continue to grow, and laugh a lot, all while telling powerful stories and building campaigns that are changing the world for the better.

Riff City is a remote-first organization with the team based across California. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications, media relations and public affairs strategies
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of our clients, including their business, products/services, competitors, influencers and markets
• Serve as day-to-day lead on multiple client accounts and relationships
• Provide strategic counsel and develop the right messaging to help organizations tell their stories to national and regional audiences
• Actively pitch and secure top tier media coverage for clients
• Cultivate and maintain relevant media contacts
• Draft, review and approve a wide variety of communications materials (press releases, pitches, statements, blog posts, newsletters, talking points, thought leadership, presentations, etc.)
• Deliver excellent client service and account management, continually fostering strong relationships
• Supervise, mentor and develop Managers, Senior Associates, Associates and Junior Associates, including regular feedback and support on career growth
• Own clean handoffs and clear communication between clients and account teams
• Think creatively about strategy, approach and delivery of client programs and projects
• Juggle multiple projects and deadlines, managing budgets and timetables
• Participate in new business development
• Stay updated on the latest trends in public relations and be an active participant in the relevant issue area segments
• Serve as an ambassador of Riff City when networking with clients and professional peers

Required

• 7+ years of professional experience in a related field (strategic communications, public affairs, media relations and/or journalism)
• Strong, creative writing skills (a writing assessment is included as a step of our interview process)
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff
• Working knowledge of the media industry, how media relations works and an ability to build relationships with journalists
• Ability to lead multiple accounts and projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Strong skills in organization, prioritization and time management
• Confidence. Demonstrates the ability to take initiative, and can also take direction well
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a cool outlook
• Solid research, proofreading, writing and editing skills
• A personable and professional character that will allow you to build client rapport
• Outgoing, personable, and generally nice
• Computer experience including, but not limited to, G Suite, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred

• Previous experience working at and managing clients at a public relations and/or public affairs agency
• Previous experience managing public affairs strategies and working with community stakeholders
• Experience in social impact, technology, climate tech or policy

Perks

Riff City is best-in-class, and this extends to our employee-centric company culture and benefits. Our perks are unrivaled, like our team and clients! We provide big company benefits (competitive salary, healthcare, a personal development stipend for business, fitness and other employee enrichment expenses, internet and phone reimbursement, 401(k) with matching, quarterly profit sharing, half-day Fridays every other week during the summer and more) while maintaining the size and energy of a startup.

Riff City is a remote-first organization with the team primarily based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000.

Riff City Strategies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.