# Director, Communications

**Company:** [Cardless](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/cardless)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Communications
**Salary:** $175k – $220k/yr
**Skills:** public relations, Media Relations, press releases, Executive Communication, Thought Leadership, journalist pitching, crisis communications, fintech knowledge, payments industry, embedded finance
**Posted:** 2026-07-17

> 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.

## Job Description

## 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

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