Director, Media & Relations

San Francisco, CA (On-site)

$170K/yr – $200K/yrDirector/Executive10+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Owns end-to-end media relations and PR strategy for a tech SaaS brand, balancing proactive storytelling with executive visibility, analyst coordination, and AI-driven workflow updates.

  • Media relations end-to-end: strategy, calendar-driven programs, rapid-response and executive interview prep.
  • Analyst relations and thought leadership: align messaging with Gartner/Forrester cycles and elevate executives through bylines and speaking opportunities.
  • AI-enabled PR: leverage AI tools for research, content creation, and real-time monitoring to maintain a forward-looking program.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Media Relations Strategy & Execution—Own the full media relations function end-to-end—strategy through execution
  • Develop and drive a proactive, calendar-driven PR program aligned with product launches, company milestones, and brand priorities
  • Identify and pursue compelling story angles that resonate with journalists and align with business goals
  • Pitch relentlessly—leverage your relationships to secure placements in tier-1 outlets (WSJ, Forbes, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, NYT, Fast Company, etc.) and top industry trades
  • Manage inbound media inquiries with speed and sound judgment
  • Write and produce all media materials: press releases, pitches, media alerts, bylines, op-eds, briefing docs, talking points, and Q&As
  • Brief and prep executives for interviews; provide real-time support during media engagements
  • Monitor news cycles and identify rapid-response opportunities to insert our POV into relevant conversations
  • Media Relations—Maintain and grow a robust network of journalist relationships across business, tech, and trade media
  • Be the kind of PR pro who can pick up the phone and get a reporter's attention—not just send cold emails
  • Analyst Relations Support—Partner with our analyst relations contractor to coordinate messaging and briefings with firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC
  • Align media narratives with analyst positioning and ensure consistency across external audiences
  • Support analyst report cycles and inquiries as needed
  • Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility—Develop and pitch thought leadership content (bylines, op-eds, podcast appearances, speaking opps) to elevate executive profiles
  • Position our leaders as credible voices on industry trends, innovation, and company mission
  • Ghostwrite or heavily support executive content for external publication
  • Measurement & Reporting—Track and report on media coverage quality, volume, sentiment, and share of voice vs. competitors
  • Provide regular updates to leadership on PR program performance and media landscape insights
  • Use media monitoring tools to stay ahead of relevant news and competitive activity
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration—Partner closely with Product Marketing, Content, Demand Gen, and Executive Comms to align messaging
  • Work with Legal and HR on sensitive communications when needed
  • Collaborate with events and campaigns teams to maximize PR around key moments
  • AI Integration & Media Evolution—Leverage AI tools and platforms to augment daily workflows, media research, content creation, and real-time monitoring, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
  • Proactively analyze the evolving media landscape through the ever evolving AI lens, understanding its impact on reporting, discovery, and audience engagement.
  • Develop and implement forward-thinking PR strategies that capitalize on AI-driven changes, ensuring our media relations efforts remain innovative and effective in achieving organizational goals.

Requirements

  • 10+ years in PR/media relations, ideally a mix of agency and in-house experience
  • You have real, working relationships with reporters at major business and tech outlets (e.g., TechCrunch, WSJ, Forbes, relevant industry trades). You don't just pitch—you get replies.
  • You can do it all: write tight copy, craft compelling pitches, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results
  • Background in B2B tech, SaaS, or enterprise software strongly preferred
  • Native news instincts. You know what makes a story, how to frame it, and when to strike
  • Comfortable working directly with C-suite; able to prep, coach, and support execs in media moments
  • Self starter: You thrive with autonomy and high accountability
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Exceptional writing and editing abilities—press releases, pitches, bylines, talking points
  • Experience with analyst relations a plus, but not required—you'll learn our program
  • Proficiency with media databases (Cision, Muck Rack, etc.), monitoring tools, and Google Workspace
  • Experience with analyst relations a plus, but not required—you'll learn our program
  • Proficiency with media databases (Cision, Muck Rack, etc.), monitoring tools, and Google Workspace
  • Benefits:
AppDirect logo

AppDirect

3.8 Glassdoor

AppDirect is a San Francisco-based B2B subscription commerce platform company that brings together technology providers, advisors, and businesses to simplify how they buy, sell and manage technology. More than 1,000 providers, 10,000 advisors and 5 million subscribers rely on the AppDirect ecosystem of subscription marketplaces to power their innovation, growth, and success.If you are interested in career opportunities at AppDirect check out our current openings here: https://www.appdirect.com/about/careers#jobOpenings

Founded in 2009
San Francisco, California, USA
1.1K employees (31 in marketing)
69% recommend to a friend
72% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
75.7K
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$8.4K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
43.5%
Direct
45.3%
Referral
7.7%
Social
2.1%
Paid
1.1%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~1.1K

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
31 (3% of company)

Funding

Total Funding
$574.5M
Last Raise
$100M
Debt Financing, 3 years ago

Funding History

  • Jan 2023
    Debt Financing • $100M
  • Mar 2021
    Debt Financing • $43.8M
  • Sep 2020
    Private Equity • $185M

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