Your Impact:

Handshake is hiring a Director of PR and Communications reporting to our COO and working closely with our CEO, Chief Education Strategy Officer, VP of Corporate and Student Marketing, VP of Employer Marketing and other key spokespeople. In this role you will lead Handshake’s press efforts to be known as the leader in early career talent among employers, universities, and students. You will build and lead the function across all sides of our business working with a range of media outlets. This role will span opportunities from influencing HR decision-makers at top companies to university leaders, students, and investors. You will have the opportunity to build an in-house team, manage our external PR agency and drive a world-class program to ensure brand recognition and category leadership in career search and higher education.

Your Role:

• Develop the external communication strategy and strengthen authentic connections for a three-sided marketplace: students, universities, and employers
• Work with senior leaders to develop key narratives that elevate Handshake’s corporate brand and thought leadership
• Act as primary contact for top-tier press, giving us both broad and deep connections to business and consumer press
• Generate rich, engaging coverage of Handshake in areas that will make the biggest impact with our customers, particularly with senior recruiting leaders and senior education leaders, driving near-term business impact and long-term brand awareness.
• Build and execute an events and speaking strategy that puts Handshake leaders and spokespeople in the right position to build our brand with the right audiences
• Play a key role in driving and implementing a thought leadership agenda leveraging Handshake’s unique data and user stories to drive coverage and category leadership
• Coordinate and manage our executive team as spokespeople, including creating positioning, facilitating training, and producing executive communications ranging from ghostwriting to prep for broadcast
• Proactively report on outcomes, tactics, and program evolution to internal teams (executives as well as the company at large)

Your Experience:

• 8-10+ years experience with proven track record in PR/corporate communications, including direct experience working with a variety of media, such as print, broadcast, digital
• Expert skills in communications, media relations, writing, message development and reputation management.
• Sound judgement and demonstrated ability to work with C-level executives on message development for key corporate priorities and timely issues
• Strong written and spoken communication skills. Ability to present projects clearly and collect and act on feedback from a broad group of stakeholders
• Ability to effectively manage high-pressure crisis situations, and work in ambiguity to define a clear path
• Ability to “see the bigger picture” and ensure you are leveraging Handshake’s resources to greatest impact
• Experience with analyzing and drawing conclusions from a broad set of data. Ability to work with data teams to turn insights into actionable recommendations
• Acute attention to detail and highly organized — able to successfully prioritize across multiple projects
• Ability to work creatively and demonstrate strong entrepreneurial skills in a startup environment
• Understanding of domestic and international media markets
• Excellent relationship-building skills

Bonus Areas of Expertise: 

• An understanding of the higher education landscape and the complex web of factors at play in the college to career transition

Benefits:

• Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing company.
• 401k: We care about your ability to save for your future.
• Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.
• Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
• Healthcare: World-class medical, dental, and vision policies.
• Goodies: Whatever hardware and software you need to get the job done.
• Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, sports, game nights, book clubs.
• Learning: Learning & Development opportunities for you to grow your skills and career.
• Great team: Working with fun, hardworking, nice people who are committed to making a difference!
• ...And much more!

We value diversity of all kinds, and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome people of all different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.

Interested in what Handshake’s San Francisco HQ is like when we’re together? Check out this video: Just browsing or not ready to apply? Keep in touch with us!