Storyline Strategies

Compensation

Full Description

STORYLINE: WHO WE ARE We create research-driven narratives that transform. Harnessing unparalleled creativity and uncompromising precision, we provide storytelling research, insights, and strategy for the most influential and ascendant companies in tech, entertainment, non-profit, and public policy. From messaging architectures to brand platforms, policy to product, our team of strategy, messaging, design, and research experts hone communications insights to craft stories that help our clients confidently tell their own. At the heart of our organization is our mission to be an indispensable strategic partner with diverse, innovative and global capabilities. We're seeking a Director, Strategic Communications & Narrative Insights to join us in continuously raising the bar to do just that. THE OPPORTUNITY & ROLE As Director, Strategic Communications & Narrative Insights, you own client outcomes across a portfolio of high‑visibility engagements. This is a hybrid role requiring equal comfort with research methodology and strategic communications development. You design and leverage qualitative and quantitative research to inform compelling narratives, messaging architectures, and communications strategies that drive decision‑making. You build deep, trusted client relationships that drive account growth, serving as a strategic advisor who grounds communications in evidence. You coach and elevate a team of advisors and strategists, set quality bars, and ensure every touchpoint reflects operational excellence and strategic clarity. You are equally comfortable designing a research program, synthesizing complex findings, and translating insights into executive‑ready communications strategies. We actively encourage candidates with government, congressional, or federal communications experience to apply, as well as those from campaigns, public affairs, issues management, or regulatory communications. The ideal candidate pairs research fluency with strategic communications judgment—able to shape insight-gathering (qual and/or quant), interpret inputs like message testing, and translate findings into policy-facing narratives, positioning, and messaging frameworks. Experience in journalism, advocacy, or mission-driven organizations is also valued. WHAT YOU'LL DO • Own client relationships and outcomes from pitch to delivery; model proactive communication, expectation‑setting, and constructive pushback to protect quality and impact. • Direct narrative development and strategic communications by translating complex policy, political, or organizational challenges into compelling public‑facing narratives. • Build messaging architectures and decision frameworks that tie evidence to clear client objectives, choices, and actions. • Lead a portfolio of concurrent client engagements across communications strategy, research, and narrative development; set scope, milestones, operating rhythms, and decision points. • Navigate sensitive communications environments requiring discretion, rapid response, and stakeholder management across government, non‑profit, advocacy, and corporate contexts. • Design and oversee research programs with cross‑functional partners; ensure methodologies align to strategic objectives and that outputs translate into actionable communications guidance. • Facilitate qualitative research through focus group and interview moderation, guiding participants through questions engineered to provoke revealing, decision‑useful discussions. • Translate quant and polling outputs into strategy by partnering closely with quantitative leads and turning message testing, segmentation, tracking, and polling findings into clear implications, narrative direction, and stakeholder‑ready guidance. • Lead high‑stakes communications problem solving across topics such as regulatory scrutiny and trust rebuilding, policy stakeholder engagement, congressional and media narrative risk, issue repositioning and coalition communications, crisis response, and explaining complex technical topics to public audiences. • Review and elevate client deliverables (briefs, memos, decks) to ensure cohesion of argument, evidence, and visual/verbal communication. • Drive account growth in partnership with Client Leads by spotting expansion opportunities, shaping statements of work, and contributing to pricing and resourcing strategy. • Coach and mentor team members by setting clear expectations, building core competencies, and delivering actionable feedback that raises the bar. • Build and maintain standards via best‑practice libraries, templates, and SOPs for research inputs, synthesis, and storytelling; uphold QA discipline. • Apply AI tools responsibly to accelerate analysis and narrative development, with human‑in‑the‑loop validation for accuracy, tone, and bias control. • Partner with Project Operations to ensure staffing, timeline integrity, and cross‑project prioritization, and to enable smooth collaboration with Design and Analytics. WHAT YOU'LL NEED • B.A. or M.A. in a field emphasizing communication, journalism, social science, policy, political science, public affairs, or business; advanced degree a plus. • 6–9+ years in strategic communications, journalism, media relations, government affairs, public policy communications, insights, strategy, or consulting, including proven track record leading high-stakes communications initiatives or client engagements. • Background in government, congressional, or federal communications strongly preferred; campaign experience, political communications, or regulatory communications development and implementation highly valued; journalism, media, non-profit, advocacy, or public affairs backgrounds also welcomed. • Track record of contributing to meaningful account revenue growth through repeat work, cross‑sell, or up‑sell. • Demonstrated ability to both design research programs and develop communications strategies from insights; this is a hybrid role requiring fluency across research methodology, synthesis, and strategic communications development. • Strong executive storytelling skills; ability to translate complex research findings into clear, compelling narratives and messaging frameworks. • Proven ability to manage a portfolio of projects at varying phases and complexity while maintaining quality and momentum. • Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing junior talent; creates clarity, raises standards, and builds confidence. • Exceptional written and verbal communication; presence with senior stakeholders and ability to translate complexity into clear decisions. • Strong collaboration skills and judgment in fast‑moving, deadline‑driven environments. • Thoughtful use of AI tools to accelerate workflows while safeguarding accuracy and confidentiality. • Ability to work outside of traditional business hours to support global clients and projects when necessary. OUR BENEFITS We offer a competitive benefits package. Storyline Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. EOE/AA/M/F/V/D/SO. In order to comply with equal pay and salary transparency laws in various locations, we believe the target range of base compensation in all locations within the United States for this role is $115,000 - $165,000 USD. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and location. LOCATION US-based, remote position with work-from-home flexibility 4–5 days per week. Strong preference for candidates in the Washington, DC or New York, NY metropolitan areas. Those based in DC or NYC meet in person for one full work week per month in a co-working office for strategic and collaborative work. HOW TO APPLY Please submit a resume and cover letter to careers@storylinestrategies.com in addition to applying on LinkedIn. THE STORYLINE TEAM We’re trailblazers. We believe “good enough” is neither good nor enough. We’re energized by new challenges, and motivated by the pursuit of innovative ideas that produce results. We’re invested in what we do. The work is endlessly stimulating. The clients are among the world’s most influential brands and decision-makers. And the team is continuously inspiring. There’s no better motivation to bring your best to everything you do. We’re driven by a passion for storytelling. Nothing excites us more than uncovering a game‑changing insight, crafting an effective solution, and creating an unforgettable narrative.