Portfolio Director

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is a new communications company that helps brands and organizations reach audiences in a more effective and precise way. Its growing team of 700+ storytellers and strategists is shaping what's next in communications, with experience that spans consumer, technology, climate and sustainability, education, healthcare, philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and arts and culture, to name a few. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.

People of color, people with disabilities and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THE MESSAGE LAB @ ORCHESTRA TEAM

Message Lab at Orchestra (ML@O) is the award-winning digital and content arm of the leading strategy and communications firm. With deep roots in the worlds of journalism, social media, analytics and more, Message Lab works with Orchestra clients of all sizes and across all sectors to design and run multi-channel programs that deliver the right story to the right audience at the right time. Our work is based on audience insights and we use data to measure our impact. Clients include Google, Visa and the Gates Foundation. In 2024, we were named Agency of the Year at the Content Marketing Awards. 

ABOUT THIS ROLE

ML@O is hiring a Portfolio Director to lead a portfolio of executive communications programs that span industries and impact areas. This is a strategic client leadership role that blends voice development, platform strategy, and cross-functional integration. In this role, you’ll be the anchor for a number of principal clients—guiding the public presence of senior executives, helping them find and sustain a clear digital voice, and weaving together complex input streams into coherent communications platforms. This is not a traditional content management seat. You will be defining the direction, helping shape the vision, and translating ambiguity into momentum.

You will partner with strategists, writers, designers, and analysts to deliver work that is audience-responsive and reputation-aware. You will also play a critical role in cultivating and maintaining client trust across diverse and often high-stakes internal dynamics. The role reports to the VP of Client Experience and collaborates with senior leads across insights, creative, and account strategy.

Role location: Seattle, WA or Washington, D.C. preferred 

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a Portfolio Director at ML@O, you will …

• Lead platform and voice strategy for a portfolio of high-profile leaders, translating inputs from multiple internal teams into clear, compelling public communications.


• Set the rhythm and direction for a communications portfolio—ensuring timelines, tone, visibility, and stakeholder expectations are all in sync.


• Own relationships with communications leads and stakeholders across multiple organizations, earning trust through strategic thinking, delivery excellence, and diplomatic leadership.


• Direct teams in crafting executive thought leadership content, including social posts, op-eds, speaking support, and digital engagement campaigns.


• Manage editorial and approvals workflows while helping creative teams navigate ambiguity with clarity, tact, and foresight.


• Coach and guide internal contributors, external partners, and client-facing writers toward tone alignment, contextual accuracy, and voice precision.


• Foster clarity and cohesion by integrating evolving inputs, shifting priorities, and nuanced feedback.


• Propose proactive content ideas, message architecture, and platform evolution strategies.


• Collaborate cross-functionally across ML@O to align creative, insights, and digital efforts with client and portfolio objectives.


• Contribute to internal operations, business development, and culture-building across the growing ML@O team.

Essential skills:

• At least 6-8 years of experience in executive communications, digital strategy, or thought leadership within a high-performing agency or matrixed client environment.


• Direct experience managing public voice and platform for principals or senior leaders across industries or impact areas.


• Deep expertise in translating executive tone and thought into public-facing editorial assets, with proven experience in social media and longform content development.


• Strategic listener and synthesizer—adept at distilling disparate ideas and feedback into a cohesive strategy.


• Comfortable leading complex client engagements with multiple touchpoints and evolving goals.


• Confident managing ambiguity, personality-driven environments, and high-visibility platforms.


• Composed, curious, and clear-minded in fast-paced, high-stakes settings.


• Culturally fluent and aware, with a global orientation to voice development and sensitivity to representation.


• Reliable internal operator—can balance speed and structure while helping teams stay centered and aligned.


• Comfortable with collaborative design platforms, project management tools, and digital publishing environments.

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Compensation philosophy: Orchestra offers competitive industry rate salary bands with the goal of retaining and growing talented individuals. We regularly review and adjust our compensation structure as needed to ensure equity across teams and levels.

Salary range (commensurate with experience and skills): $110,000-$130,000

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents


• Pre-tax Health Savings Account Savings Plan (HSA-SP) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)


• 401K with a 4% employer match and no vesting period


• Generous paid time off


• Pre-tax commuter benefits


• Mobile phone reimbursement for data and minutes


• Employer-funded life insurance


• Discounted annual bikeshare membership


• Corporate discounts through Tickets at Work

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