Communications Manager

San Mateo, CA (On-site)

$115K/yr – $160K/yrMid Level5+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Drive Verkada’s proactive media program by translating our technology into real-world stories across enterprise, AI, and security beats, while shaping executive-ready messaging and rapid response for breaking news.

  • Vertical storytelling: turn product impact into concise pitches on retail crime, safety, and security workflows for key reporters.
  • Media readiness: prepare spokespeople, grow reporter relationships, and own interview coaching and briefing materials.
  • News-cycle agility: monitor developments and respond swiftly with evidence-based, clear narratives, leveraging AI tools for efficiency.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Drive our proactive media strategy across business, technology, trade, and vertical press.
  • Develop vertical narratives that connect Verkada's technology to real problems in the real world (rising retail crime, warehouse safety compliance, school security, healthcare facility management, and more) and pitch them with specificity and conviction to the reporters covering those beats.
  • Build and maintain relationships with reporters covering enterprise tech, AI, physical security, and the industries we serve.
  • Write across formats: press releases, pitches, bylines, briefing documents, messaging frameworks, op-eds, talking points, FAQs.
  • Prepare spokespeople for media with interview prep, message development, and ongoing coaching.
  • Monitor the news cycle and respond quickly and strategically to breaking developments – whether that's a surge in retail crime, a workplace safety incident, or a shift in the regulatory landscape.
  • Use AI tools to do your job better and more efficiently.

Requirements

  • 5-7 years of communications experience in-house at a tech company and/or at an agency with serious B2B/enterprise clients with a strong media relations track record.
  • Vertical storytelling instincts. A fast, credible student of the industries Verkada serves who can understand where our products make an impact and turn that into a pitch.
  • Writing that earns trust. Clear, concise, and human prose, even when explaining a complex or nuanced topic.
  • Sound judgment under pressure. Someone who can prioritize well when everything feels urgent and knows the difference between fast and sloppy.
  • A builder mentality. We're a lean, collaborative team where everyone contributes ideas, owns outcomes, and isn't afraid to experiment.

Preferred

  • Experience in enterprise SaaS or adjacent B2B verticals.
  • Experience with research-driven storytelling and proprietary data initiatives.
  • Familiarity with crisis communications and issues management.
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Lightspeed

3.9 Glassdoor

Lightspeed is a global, multi-stage, venture capital firm managing over $40B in assets. Since its founding in 2000, Lightspeed has been the first investor and an early backer of some of the most innovative companies in the world including Abridge, Anthropic, Castelion, Glean, Mistral, Navan, Netskope, Rubrik, Snap, Wiz, and more. Learn more at lsvp.com.

Founded in 2000
Menlo Park, California, USA
420 employees (18 in marketing)
86% recommend to a friend
100% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
144K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
42.8%
Direct
46.3%
Referral
7.2%
Social
2.7%
Paid
0.8%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~421

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
18 (4% of company)
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
1

Funding

Total Funding
$26.8B
Last Raise
$1.2B

Funding History

  • Dec 2025
    Venture Partners Fund XV B • $1.2B
  • Dec 2025
    Venture Partners Fund XV A • $980M
  • Dec 2025
    Select VI • $1.8B

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