Account Director (AI / Emerging Tech)

Join Outcast

At Outcast, we don’t just follow the future; we help shape it. We’re a strategic communications agency trusted by the world’s most groundbreaking startups and established technology brands. From AI to frontier tech, our clients are redefining what’s possible, and we’re the storytellers behind their success.

With deep expertise across earned, owned, and paid media, our teams craft narratives that cut through complexity and drive real impact. Backed by our global partnership in Marker Collective and as part of the Next15 Group, we bring bold thinking, creative storytelling, and data-driven strategy to every engagement.

We’re looking for an Account Supervisor to join our San Francisco team. We want someone who understands emerging technology at a fundamental level and is excited to help translate complex innovations into stories that resonate with both technical and business audiences.

About You

You’re a strategic communicator with a deep curiosity for how technology works, not just what it does. You’re fluent in the language of AI, developer platforms, and emerging tech, and you know how to turn complex concepts into compelling narratives that land with both technical and non-technical audiences.

You bring a strong point of view to your work, and senior clients rely on you for perspective and counsel. You lead with clarity and accountability, balancing high-level strategy with strong execution. You build and develop high-performing teams, create structure, and foster an environment where people grow.

You’ve ideally worked with developer audiences, whether through APIs, infrastructure, open source, or enterprise platforms, and understand how to engage this community with credibility and nuance. You are an empathetic, reliable leader who builds strong client partnerships and navigates a fast-changing communications landscape with agility.

What You Do

• Lead strategy and day-to-day oversight across multiple client accounts, ensuring alignment with business goals

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive stakeholders, delivering proactive counsel

• Shape positioning and messaging for emerging tech and AI companies, simplifying complex concepts into clear, differentiated stories

• Build and execute proactive media strategies, securing top-tier and trade coverage across business, tech, and AI-focused outlets

• Develop and oversee integrated communications programs across media relations, executive visibility, thought leadership, and campaigns

• Drive major announcements, product launches, funding news, and narrative development

• Identify timely storytelling opportunities tied to industry trends and cultural moments

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with top-tier media, analysts, and influencers

• Oversee quality of all deliverables, ensuring work is strategic, polished, and on brief

• Manage scopes of work, budgets, forecasting, staffing, and account profitability

• Lead client strategy meetings and act as a central point of contact for account health

• Guide teams in planning and execution with a big-picture perspective

• Support crisis communications with clear strategy and recommendations

• Develop high-level messaging and positioning; lead or support media training

• Identify organic growth opportunities and contribute to new business efforts

• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated programs

• Mentor and develop team members through coaching and feedback

Who You Are

• 8–10+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, or integrated marketing

• 3–5+ years of experience managing and developing high-performing teams

• Deep experience in emerging tech, including AI/ML, developer platforms, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, or enterprise SaaS

• Experience working with or marketing to developer audiences (e.g., APIs, open source, technical products, engineering leaders)

• Proven success advising senior leaders and managing complex, multi-workstream programs

• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resourcing, and client profitability

• Exceptional writer and editor with experience shaping executive messaging and positioning

• Strong media acumen with an understanding of today’s evolving earned landscape

• Confident communicator who can lead meetings, workshops, and strategic discussions

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments with multiple stakeholders

• Champion the use of AI tools and emerging tech to enhance writing, research, and content production efficiency

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred

Why Outcast

A competitive compensation package, including:

• Annual salary range of $125,000–$165,000 DOE

• 401k with match

• Generous employer contributions toward insurance premiums

• Paid mental health benefits

• Unlimited vacation

• 15+ paid holidays plus a paid end-of-year office closure

• Paid short-term disability and extensive parental leave benefits

• Cell phone reimbursement

Who We Are

Outcast is a strategic communications agency that helps startups and established brands shape the future through creative storytelling and data-driven strategies. With expertise across earned, owned, and paid media, we offer services like media relations, thought leadership, and content development. Our US and UK hubs enable global support, strengthened by our joint venture as Marker Collective and as part of the Next15 Group. We provide counsel that’s impactful, not just convenient, guiding clients through tough challenges as dedicated partners and truth-tellers. Our values—centered on inclusivity, innovation, and partnership—drive results for brands at every stage of growth.

Outcast is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a workplace where inclusivity, creativity, and innovation thrive. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.