SVP, Head of Northbound

About Mission North & Northbound:

Mission North is a strategic communications agency for consequential companies to build, protect, and renew their impact. Market-shaping brands like Google, Mozilla, Snowflake, and Zoom have turned to us to navigate change and accelerate impact at every stage. Our award-winning culture of curiosity allows us to attract the best communicators and mobilize them around tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. Our stories about breakthrough innovations and movements—and the iconic teams behind them—have influenced hundreds of billions of dollars in market value.

Northbound is a communications studio for founders who take their story as seriously as they take their product. Northbound specializes in strategic narrative design, innovation storytelling and thought leadership for the most ambitious leaders building the future of work, AI, infrastructure and energy, financial services, public safety and security, manufacturing, life sciences, and healthcare. 

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and deeply curious B2B and VC communications leader to build, launch, and scale Northbound. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of founder and startup communications, working directly with visionary founders and leading a dedicated team to drive meaningful impact for the next generation of tech icons.

You will be instrumental in defining Northbound's operational framework, nurturing client relationships, and ensuring exceptional results. This role requires a blend of strategic vision, hands-on execution, and a passion for telling world-changing stories.

What You'll Do:

• Build & Scale Northbound: Lead the development and execution of Northbound's strategy, operations, and growth trajectory. This includes defining service offerings, optimizing workflows, and establishing key performance indicators.
• Client Leadership & Counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic communications counsel to startup, growth and established company founders (CEOs, CTOs, etc.) across diverse and disruptive sectors including AI, enterprise infrastructure, future of work, cybersecurity, life sciences & healthcare, climate technology, fintech & financial services.
• Narrative Development: Workshop, design and activate sharp, compelling narratives for earned and owned media that effectively cut through noisy markets.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. Lead by example, demonstrating a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get things done while empowering your team to scale.
• Business Development: Actively engage in identifying and securing new client partnerships for Northbound, leveraging your network and expertise to sell our value proposition to founders and startup marketers/communicators.
• Market Leadership & Networking: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media, influencers, venture capitalists, and founders within the broader startup ecosystem. Act as a connector, positioning Northbound and Mission North at the forefront of early-stage tech communications.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee budget management, resource allocation, and overall operational efficiency for Northbound.

What You'll Bring:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in B2B startup and VC PR and communications.
• Deep domain expertise in disruptive technologies across AI, enterprise infrastructure, future of work, cybersecurity, life sciences & healthcare, climate technology, fintech & financial services.
• Proven experience working directly with and advising founders, including CEOs and CTOs, on critical communications challenges and opportunities.
• Ideal candidate will have experience working in-house at a startup and/or VC firm, combined with a strong understanding of agency operations.
• Exceptional ability to design and execute impactful earned and owned media strategies that generate significant awareness and credibility for early-stage companies.
• A "builder" mentality with a demonstrated ability to establish new initiatives, scale operations, and lead teams through periods of rapid growth.
• An extensive network of relationships within the media, influencer, venture capital, and startup communities.
• A modern POV on PR and strategic communications, with a track record of driving measurable, high-impact results.
• Superior communication, counseling, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated success in selling ideas and solutions to founders, startup marketers, and communications leaders.

Why Join Northbound & Mission North:

• Be a foundational leader in launching and scaling a brand new studio within a highly respected agency.
• Work with the most innovative and promising early-stage technology companies.
• Collaborate with a passionate and experienced team dedicated to client success.
• Enjoy a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with significant opportunities for impact and growth.

What makes us Mission North?

• We’ve built an award-winning culture of curiosity and experimentation. Mission North is a Fast Company Most Innovative Company, ranking #3 in its inaugural PR and Brand Strategies category.
• We foster a culture of lifelong learning and personal growth, supporting employees in their professional development.
• Recognition for hard work is at the heart of our culture, with opportunities for advancement and rewards.
• We invest in our people, offering a competitive compensation package, profit sharing, 401K matching program, professional development stipend, and comprehensive benefits.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel. 

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Mission North. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.

Compensation

Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills and prior relevant experience. 

Mission North cares about you and your overall well-being, and that’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package, for full-time employees, that includes healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan including an employer match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid time off, paid parental leave, and several paid holidays, among others.

Pay Range:  Expected Salary range depending on experience: $195,000-$270,000, not including year end profit sharing bonus.