Senior Media Strategist (Independent Contractor)
Role Type: Independent Contractor (Full-Time Engagement)
Estimated Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Overview
Bonfire Partners is seeking a Senior Strategist to serve as the creative bridge between client goals and media interests. This high-level strategic role will be accountable for account results and deliverables while providing strategic guidance and coaching to account managers. The ideal candidate will bring deep media relationships, exceptional strategic thinking, and the ability to identify compelling narrative opportunities. Contractors are expected to exercise discretion over how work is performed and may use their own tools, processes, and workflows to deliver agreed-upon outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Be accountable for account results, deliverables, and success metrics across the assigned client portfolio
- Develop creative strategies that bridge client objectives with media interests
- Serve as "fire department" for urgent client challenges and opportunities
- Provide strategic guidance and coaching to account managers in strategic thinking and execution
- Transfer journalist relationships to account managers to build their networks
- Stay current on media landscape trends and opportunities across client verticals
- Generate proactive story ideas and newsjacking opportunities
- Provide high-level strategic direction without day-to-day execution
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in PR, communications, or related field
- Proven track record of securing top-tier media coverage for technology companies
- Strong existing relationships with journalists across technology, business, and trade media
- Exceptional strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
- Experience providing strategic guidance or coaching to junior team members
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple client accounts
- Deep understanding of media landscape and what makes stories compelling
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in one or more of the following verticals: AI/technology, public safety, health-tech, fintech, cybersecurity, consumer technology, B2B SaaS
- Background in journalism or content creation
- Track record of thought leadership or owned media initiatives
- Familiarity with AI tools for workflow optimization
What Success Looks Like
- Account managers are empowered and growing in their strategic capabilities
- Client satisfaction and retention remains high
- Top-tier media coverage is secured across client portfolio
- Journalist relationships are successfully transferred and cultivated by account managers
- Strategic initiatives drive measurable business outcomes for clients
Location & Classification Notice
This role is structured as a full-time independent contractor (1099) engagement. Due to state-specific worker classification, tax, and compliance requirements, we are currently only able to engage contractors who reside in the following U.S. states: TX, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, AZ, UT, NV, OH, IN.
We periodically reassess eligible locations as regulatory requirements evolve.
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What We Do
Bonfire Partners is a strategic communications agency that helps companies build visibility, credibility, and influence through modern public relations. We partner with founders, executives, and leadership teams to develop communications strategies that support business growth, strengthen reputation, and shape market perception. Our work spans media relations, executive thought leadership, corporate communications, messaging and positioning, content strategy, social media strategy, podcast strategy, influencer partnerships, and integrated PR campaigns. We support companies through key moments including funding announcements, product launches, strategic partnerships, executive visibility, market expansion, brand-building initiatives, and ongoing media engagement. Bonfire Partners works with companies at every stage, from early-stage startups to publicly traded companies. We also partner with portfolio companies backed by leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms, helping them translate business momentum into meaningful awareness and credibility. At our core, we believe great PR is about more than securing headlines. It is about building trust, telling the right story to the right audience, and creating long-term value for the companies we represent.
Why Work With Us
Bonfire is a modern communications agency helping high-growth companies tell stories that drive impact. We combine senior-level strategy with a collaborative, fast-moving approach. We're serious about great work but don't take ourselves too seriously—our team is supportive, curious, ambitious, and genuinely fun to work with.
