Director, Communications
Own Cardless's public relations as a hands-on IC: build media relationships, drive executive visibility through interviews and thought leadership, execute partner launch announcements, and manage PR operations. Requires established fintech/payments media contacts, strong news judgment, writing, and cross-functional coordination skills.
About the job
What You Will Do
Build and Maintain Press Relationships
- Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and outlets covering fintech, payments, and consumer brands Cardless partners with.
- Understand each outlet's beat and angle to pitch relevant stories.
- Track trade and business press landscape for coverage of card programs, co-brand partnerships, and embedded finance.
- Represent Cardless credibly in conversations with press on background, on the record, and in between.
Drive Executive Visibility
- Identify and pursue interviews, bylines, panels, and speaking opportunities for Cardless leadership.
- Prepare executives for press interactions with talking points and likely questions.
- Build a cadence of thought leadership that reinforces Cardless's positioning.
- Work with Product Marketing to ensure public statements align with company messaging.
Land Partner and Launch Announcements
- Plan and execute PR for new brand partnerships, including joint announcements with partner comms teams.
- Navigate partner comms approval processes for timely, accurate announcements.
- Turn partner launches into press moments that reinforce Cardless's market narrative.
- Coordinate timing across press, product, and partnerships teams.
Own PR Operations and Reporting
- Draft and manage press releases, media kits, and briefing documents.
- Track coverage quality and report on performance.
- Maintain media lists and outreach systems.
- Flag reputational risks or negative coverage early and coordinate responses.
What We Are Looking For
- Media Relationships: Established relationships with reporters and editors covering fintech, payments, or consumer brands.
- News Judgment: Ability to identify stories and shape company updates for reporters.
- Executive Prep: Skill in preparing executives for interviews to enhance confidence and clarity.
- Writing: Clean, fast, accurate writing of press materials without multiple revisions.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Ability to manage joint announcements with partners and internal teams.
- Composure Under Pressure: Level-headed response to unexpected story developments.
This is a hands-on individual contributor role focused on pitching, writing, and relationship-building. It is not a fit if you prefer directing agencies, view PR as post-news activity, prefer only scripted moments, want independent PR and product marketing, or are uncomfortable holding the line on launch timing.
Compensation
Annual starting salary range of $175,000–$220,000 + equity + benefits. Actual compensation influenced by skills, experience, and work location.
Benefits
- Meaningful start-up equity
- 100% health, vision & dental primary coverage; 75% for dependents
- Catered lunches
- $250/month commuter benefit
- Parental leave
- Team building events & happy hours
- Flexible PTO with minimum 15 days off per year
- Apple equipment
- 401k plan
Skills
Public Relations, Media Relations, Press Releases, Executive Communication, Thought Leadership, Journalist Pitching, Crisis Communications, Fintech Knowledge, Payments Industry, Embedded Finance
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