Associate Communications Director
San Francisco, California
San Francisco office /
Full time /
Hybrid
Milltown Partners is a global advisory firm working with influential organizations and individuals on the communications and public policy challenges that define their reputations.
We’ve spent ten years building creative, thoughtful communications, public policy and research programs for technology companies, investors, sports and entertainment businesses - and the leaders who run them.
You might not know us, but you know our clients - and that’s deliberate. Most of our work comes from our network of past clients and from referrals. Originally founded in London in 2013, we are a 165 strong global team. Since launching in the US in 2018, we’ve focused on building a team of exceptional people who drive the quality of our work and the strength of our client relationships, and it has paid off.
Our US team of 60 in San Francisco, New York and beyond has helped build trust for autonomous vehicles; steered reputation for the largest venture funds; shaped strategy for industry-leading AI companies; grown the profiles of leaders from iconic companies and legacy businesses; helped sporting organizations through pivotal moments; and used research to help the world’s largest technology companies make critical decisions on existential issues - from free speech to content safety and privacy.
We have ambitious plans for the next phase of our business. We see huge opportunity in the evolving media landscape, the introduction of AI and experimentation to our work, and the potential for us to define what modern communications strategy and delivery looks like - across a roster of fascinating clients.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ROLE
We’re looking for an Associate Director to join our San Francisco team who will bring AI-sector knowledge and expertise which will enable them to deliver high quality communications advice to a predominantly AI-sector client base.
A successful candidate will have at least 8 years relevant communications experience, demonstrable understanding of the AI industry and technical audiences, an ability to lead and deliver brilliant advice to clients and be a hands-on coach to their teams.
A successful candidate will have a proven track record of delivering strategic and creative communications strategies on the frontiers of AI, whether in in-house or agency roles supporting AI-native companies or functions. The ideal candidate has particular expertise working on technical AI communications, whether communicating frontier AI research, AI products for technical audiences, or AI hardware or infrastructure.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ROLE
Leadership: defining direction and inspiring others to meet a common goal
-Leading agency-side teams that advise and support category-defining clients in AI on the complex communications challenges that define their reputations, whether AI clients work in industry, investing, policymaking, third-sector organizations, or academia
-Acting as an AI subject matter for the wider business, helping improve our U.S. team's strategic understanding of the opportunities and challenges organizations working in AI currently face, and helping teams and clients working on AI think creatively about audiences and channels that are driving or responding to the AI zeitgeist
-Collaborating with senior management to set clear goals and priorities for your teams and holding everyone, including themselves, to account for meeting them
-Building trust with your clients in order to give the most impactful advice and support
-Taking responsibility for the strategic direction and tactical choices for clients
-Sharing your insights and experience in a way that allows the rest of the team to replicate your success
-Drawing on the full expertise and resources of the firm to develop and deliver advice that helps our clients build and protect their reputations
-Coaching individuals to identify opportunities to meet their goals
Innovation: pushing the boundaries of the work we do as a firm
-Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and influencers in the AI ecosystem that will enable us to deliver impactful results for our clients and network, including media, subject matter experts, and/or policymakers
-Being a role model and leading by example in both managing and delivering exceptional work
-Ensuring research, data and insight underpins all work that we deliver
-Identifying opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and growth for the business beyond your own client teams
Growth: Contributing to the future of the business beyond the boundaries of client work
-Identifying and leading on converting new opportunities into work and extending our work with existing clients
-Grow Milltown's existing network of prospective clients working within and around the frontiers of AI
-Developing and building your external network in order to attract new clients in AI and to reach potential referrers to such clients
-Showing entrepreneurial thinking internally by identifying opportunities for collaboration, skills building and knowledge sharing
Contributing to a collaborative and inclusive work environment
-Giving and receiving regular feedback to people at all levels in the firm
-Actively seeking input or assistance from others and reflecting their contributions in the work
-Demonstrating allyship to all colleagues
-Supporting the wellbeing of everyone on the team
Must-have skills and experiences
- At least 8 years of communications experience - either/or consultancy or in-house roles - including time in the technology and/or investor space with a proven track record in AI
- Demonstrable ability to take a strategic approach to reputation, rooted in research, data and insight
- Experience engaging with different audiences and channels across the communications and policy landscape in frontier technology and AI, with demonstrated experience building impactful communications plans about AI that reach a range of audiences, including technical audiences
- Experience building advisory relationships with senior stakeholders in order to deliver strategic counsel and insight, often on a short timeframe
- Experience developing storytelling strategies across a range of channels to communicate AI subject matter (eg. paid campaigns, event appearances, digital communications and traditional media)Experience managing complex and high-performing teams with diverse experiences
- Commitment to learning and developing new skills and subject matter expertise, including seeking out feedback from colleagues
- Ability to play a hands-on role within client teams and across the firmCommitment to contributing to a supportive and inclusive cultureExcellent command of written and verbal English language
Desirable skills and experience
- Exposure to relevant fields including research, policy, media, and campaigns
- Experience leading new business conversations, including RFP processes
What we offer in return
- Competitive and fair base salary determined through annual industry benchmarking
- Discretionary twice-yearly bonuses
- Professional development opportunities, with access to both expert professional coach and internal training
- 26 days of annual Paid Time Off (PTO) plus Public Holidays
- 4% match to 401k contribution
- Generous policy for new parents (for both mothers and fathers)
- Generous medical, dental and vision insurance options, including support for dependents
- $100 monthly commuter benefitsVariety of team events, such as socials, external guest speakers and annual firm celebrations
- Selection of breakfast foods and snacks in the office, plus a weekly team lunch
- Variety of team events, such as socials, external guest speakers and annual firm celebrations
- 3-day week in the office hybrid policy (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays mandatory)
$150,000 - $170,000 a year
ABOUT US
Milltown Partners is a transatlantic advisory firm working with influential companies, organizations and individuals on their reputation-defining communications and policy challenges. We work with established and emerging technology companies, global investors, iconic brands, renowned sports franchises and influential individuals. We collaborate across locations and disciplines to combine our judgement, deep subject-matter expertise and innovative use of technology to deliver impact for our clients. We root our strategies in data insights and research on the audiences that matter, messages that work, and communications channels that deliver. We are an independent, employee-owned company, which means we have the freedom to invest in our people and our culture, and everyone shares in our success.
DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION AT MILLTOWN
Creating a diverse, equitably and inclusive environment is core to our values, culture and success as an employee owned business. We want to empower everyone in the team to share their best thinking and ideas, feel valued and know they are having an impact and belong in the business, regardless of their background, age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability. We have an ambitious DEI programme managed by a global leadership team of volunteers with three global company commitments to: improve representation of minority groups, enhance everyone's sense of inclusion and support underrepresented communities through pro bono work. Underpinning these commitments is a focus on what it means to have a DEI culture and how to measure that in our approach to growth, attracting talent and the impact of our work for clients.
