Head of Brand & Communications
Over the coming years, biotech will fundamentally rewrite the way we live. Gene editing and cell therapy are dramatically changing how we treat cancer and other major illnesses. Biofuels and biomaterials are transforming the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the makeup of everyday objects. Crop science and synthetic biology are producing sustainable and ethical food. Benchling’s mission is to accelerate the research that propels us towards this reality, and magnify its impact, through modern software.
Every day, scientists around the world use Benchling’s applications, platform, & analytics in their efforts to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. For these scientists, Benchling is the central technology they use to conduct their research. Our customers include pharmaceutical giants, leading biotechs, and the world’s most renowned research institutes.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Reporting to the CMO, Head of Brand & Communications will define and shape the company’s brand strategy and external narrative while also driving hands-on execution of all editorial efforts. We are looking for a leader who loves crafting a good story, can carve out a unique voice for Benchling, and make us one of the most recognized brands in life sciences across academic researchers, biotech startups, and large global enterprises. This leader will partner closely with our CEO and other marketing leaders to elevate Benchling’s brand vision and ensure creative application of Benchling’s brand voice across all external channels and assets.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
Brand Awareness:
- Develop a strong point-of-view of the Benchling brand and guide the company in creating a compelling, differentiated brand in the life sciences industry.
- Launch multi-channel brand campaigns in collaboration with creative and content teams.
- Support our presence at industry conferences with stories about our users and our unique approach to life sciences software.
- Provide cross-functional leadership to ensure consistent and cohesive brand expression across the company.
- Own brand health metrics (awareness, relevance, consideration, etc) and develop strategies to support this.
CEO Communications:
- Elevate the voice of our CEO by creating narratives and messaging that position Benchling as a life sciences thought-leader.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive CEO communications cadence to drive regular engagement with customers, influencers, and media.
- Draft presentation outlines, speeches, talking points, and articles for our CEO.
- Monitor relevant topics and trends for CEO communication opportunities.
- Create a distinct voice for our CEO on social media.
Public Relations:
- Own the company’s PR strategy, set PR objectives, and drive PR execution in partnership with our PR agency.
- Track media coverage and report on PR results.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with media and industry influencers.
- Formulate compelling media pitches and bylines to elevate Benchling’s brand presence.
- Organize PR events to increase awareness of our company.
Editorial:
- Surface and develop a pipeline of stories (including industry thought-leadership, customer successes, business momentum, and workplace culture) that can be leveraged in the media or company-published materials.
- Conduct primary and secondary research to develop data-informed narratives and programs.
- Act as editor-in-chief of the Benchling blog with oversight of its editorial direction and focus.
- Craft a vision for and launch a podcast series that showcases industry leaders and allows Benchling to claim a unique spot in the life science media landscape.
- Maximize Benching’s following and presence on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media channels with a tailored approach for each.
- Ensure a high standard of messaging and writing for all marketing assets from taglines and short snippets, to video scripts and website copy, to long-form articles and white papers.
ABOUT YOU
- 10+ years technology marketing experience including at well-established global brands.
- Spent time in hyper-growth startups with deep understanding of category creation.
- Background or interest in life sciences strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to distill complex ideas into simple, credible narratives.
- Talented writer/editor/storyteller who can balance the big picture and sweat the details.
- Expertise in writing/editing for different formats and mediums including long-form, short-form, social media, web, and video.
- Exceptional presentation and communication skills.
- Track record working with senior executives to provide strategic counsel.
- Energetic, organized self-starter comfortable with setting up a new function.
- Collaborative team builder with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Experience hiring, mentoring, and retaining teams.
Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity and inclusion by broadening our ways of problem-solving for future challenges. Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications for this job, we strongly encourage you to apply.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Admit mistakes and shortcomings
- Deliver results
- Disagree and commit
- Obsess over customers
- Rely on work ethic
- Show empathy
- Recruit and develop the best
- Sweat the details
- Think and communicate clearly
- Unite around the mission
PERKS AND BENEFITS
- Work with a talented yet humble team
- Competitive compensation & equity package
- Quarterly mental health days
- Weekly virtual social events, and annual company retreats
- 401k, Medical, dental, and vision insurance (US Employees Only)
- Monthly health & wellness stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- Yearly educational stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- To support remote work conditions, Benchling provides each employee a one-time stipend of $1,000(USD) upon commencing employment, and additional discounted employee purchase plans for home-office equipment.
In following best practices and safety protocols, all Benchling employees are expected to work remotely until we are further advised that it is safe for employees to resume work in their respective office locations.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.