Responsibilities

• Own Handshake’s corporate communications strategy and help sharpen our external narrative across company, Careers, EDU, AI, and future-of-work themes.
• Build and manage press relationships within the workforce and AI Industries.
• Proactively pitch stories, announcements, data insights, and thought leadership that build Handshake’s brand and support business priorities.
• Partner closely with the CEO/co-founder and leadership team to develop executive narratives, media opportunities, speeches, op-eds, and talking points.
• Partner with the social team on Handshake’s corporate LinkedIn presence, providing strategic guidance, content review, approvals, and counsel on voice, tone, messaging, and brand alignment.
• Prepare executives for high-visibility speaking engagements, media interviews, panels, podcasts, and industry events, including narrative development, talking points, briefing materials, Q&A prep, and message coaching.
• Lead reactive and issues communications, partnering with legal, policy, people, product, and leadership teams on sensitive or high-stakes moments.
• Build scalable communications processes for press intake, approvals, messaging, executive prep, launches, and reporting.
• Oversee external communications agency partners and ensure their work is focused, high-quality, and aligned with company priorities.

Requirements

• 7+ years corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or media relations, ideally in high-growth tech or a top communications agency.
• Strong executive communications experience, including partnering with founders, CEOs, or senior leaders on external narrative, media strategy, and thought leadership.
• Proven ability to build press relationships and secure meaningful earned media coverage across business, technology, workplace, education, or AI press.
• Excellent writing and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling narratives.
• Strong judgment under pressure, especially in reactive, sensitive, or ambiguous communications moments.
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, from setting the communications strategy to drafting statements, pitches, briefs, and social content.
• Experience managing external communications agencies or consultants.
• Comfort working cross-functionally with leadership, marketing, product, legal, policy, people, and sales teams.

Preferred

• Bonus: experience with AI, future of work, labor markets, education, marketplaces, HR tech, or enterprise technology.

Benefits

• Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
• Financial Wellness : 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
• Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
• Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, wellness stipend
• Growth: Learning stipend, ongoing development
• Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
• Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
• Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses