The Role
Lead Shield's platform brand strategy and storytelling across internal and external stakeholders. Develop positioning, messaging, and content (website, social, M&A materials), run events and media relations, and create collateral to enable BD and M&A teams. Work cross-functionally with executives, Technology, Operations, partners, and portfolio companies to build a scalable content engine and drive measurable inbound interest and BD outcomes.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a Founding Director of Platform Brand to articulate and scale the Shield narrative across the market.
The role sits at the intersection of strategy, brand and growth. You will translate our AI platform strategy, operational model, and M&A engine into a clear, differentiated story that resonates with founders and reinforces Shield’s differentiated model in the market.
You will work directly with executive leadership and cross-functionally across Technology, Operations, M&A and our partner network to ensure that Shield’s story is consistent, credible, and understood across the ecosystem.
The role sits at the intersection of strategy, brand and growth. You will translate our AI platform strategy, operational model, and M&A engine into a clear, differentiated story that resonates with founders and reinforces Shield’s differentiated model in the market.
You will work directly with executive leadership and cross-functionally across Technology, Operations, M&A and our partner network to ensure that Shield’s story is consistent, credible, and understood across the ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
1. Platform Positioning and Storytelling with Internal & External Stakeholders
- Architect and continuously refine Shield’s positioning as the AI-native IT services platform
- Translate strategy into crisp messaging across website, M&A materials, social media, partner communications and industry presence
- Partner with internal leadership (Revenue, Deployments, etc.) to develop foundational messaging and narrative documents that codify how Shield is described across contexts (e.g., positioning frameworks, how Shield and its portfolio company network are described across contexts)
- Ensure consistency of the Shield narrative across founders, portfolio companies, and the broader MSP ecosystem
2. Build and Scale Platform Content & Communications
- Coordinate brand refreshes across website and social media (primarily LinkedIn)
- Build and operate a content engine highlighting acquisitions, platform developments, and market insights
- Support development of high-quality written content and communications (e.g., announcements, articles, partner-facing materials) that reinforce Shield’s positioning
- Own and execute ad hoc and non-traditional marketing efforts (e.g., executive LinkedIn, announcements, conference materials) that do not fit cleanly within a pre-defined scope
3. Events and Field Engagement
- Curate Shield-hosted events and participate in conferences, events, etc.
- Build and manage relationships with trade publications and shape earned media coverage and narrative
- Partner with executives to refine messaging ahead of speaking engagements and media appearances
4. Enabling the Business Development & M&A Team(s)
- Develop strategic collateral for the M&A Business Development team, so that they can move conversations with sellers further
What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months
- A clear, defensible positioning that is consistently adopted across employees, partners and the MSP community
- Measurable improvement in BD team win rates, founder inbound interest and ecosystem credibility
- Stronger partner ability to leverage the Shield narrative in their own market
- A website and content engine that articulates Shield’s differentiated AI-native model
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- 3-7+ years of experience in brand strategy, comms strategy, or other strategic, external-facing roles
- Strong executive-level writing and communication skills
- High agency mindset with comfort in fast-moving environments
- Experience within AI, IT services and/or high growth technology environments is a plus
Location and Travel Requirements
- Location preference for in-person in New York City (SoHo and/or Midtown offices), with flexibility to consider San Francisco–based candidates for the right fit.
- Travel is an expected component of this role, with trips anticipated several times per quarter.
About
Shield Technology Partners is a national IT Services platform formed through the collaboration between Thrive Holdings and ZBS Partners. By combining Thrive Holdings’ technological expertise with ZBS Partners’ proven approach to supporting founder-led businesses, Shield Technology Partners is dedicated to accelerating growth, innovation and long-term value creation for IT services companies across the country.
Skills Required
- 3-7+ years of experience in brand strategy, communications strategy, or other strategic external-facing roles
- Strong executive-level writing and communication skills
- High agency mindset; comfortable in fast-moving environments
- Experience coordinating brand refreshes and operating content across website/CMS and LinkedIn/social media
- Ability to work cross-functionally with Technology, Operations, M&A and partner networks
- Experience within AI, IT services, and/or high-growth technology environments
- Location preference for in-person in New York City (SoHo/Midtown) or consideration for San Francisco-based candidates
- Willingness to travel several times per quarter
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The Company
What We Do
Shield Technology Partners is building a world-class network of high-performing IT service businesses across the country. We are dedicated to empowering local leaders by combining their unique cultures and brands with the strength of advanced technology and national-scale resources. Our mission is simple: amplify what you’ve already built, while preserving the autonomy and relationships that make your business thrive. Through a transparent, collaborative growth model, Shield Technology Partners offers a path for MSPs to scale without losing their identity. By integrating cutting-edge technology and shared expertise, we create unmatched opportunities for your team while delivering the best of local service and innovation to clients. Together, we’re paving the way for a bold future in IT services.
