Senior Manager of Communications

Handshake is looking for a senior communications leader to own and evolve our corporate communications strategy This is not a typical comms role. Handshake operates a complex three-sided marketplace connecting students, employers, and universities, and sits at the center of two of the most consequential conversations in technology today: the future of work and the future of AI We’re looking for someone who can help shape those narratives, elevate Handshake’s voice in the market, and build trusted relationships with the media, executives, and cross‑functional leaders across the company In this role, you’ll own corporate positioning, press strategy, inbound media inquiries, and executive visibility You’ll work closely with our CEO, leadership team, marketing, product, policy, legal, and people teams to tell Handshake’s story with clarity, credibility, and ambition 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 Please note, this is a Senior IC role and does not manage a team Benefits Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical , dental, and vision coverage Fertility and family forming: Through a partnership, Handshake offers comprehensive family benefits, including infertility treatments and a $15K stipend, to its employees. LGTBQ+ coverage: All medical plans cover transgender services. Mental health: Discounts on a variety of wellness apps and an Employee Assistance Program with access to five free counseling sessions. Tax savings: Tax‑advantaged benefits to save money on healthcare, dependent care, and other expenses. Life & disability insurance: Essential benefits and automatic coverage with basic life insurance, plus short‑term and long‑term disability coverage. 401k match: Dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 1% of pay, with a max of $1,200 per year. Equity: Our equity program includes grants at hire, refresher grants after two years of tenure, and grants alongside promotions. Financial management: Handshake partners to provide free professional financial planning services. Learning & development: Employees are provided with an annual stipend to use towards professional development, career development workshops, manager trainings, and 1‑on‑1 coaching through external partnerships Community leader support: Employee Resource Group leaders are compensated with a quarterly bonus for the high‑impact work the role requires Parental leave: Leaves of 16 weeks for birth‑giving parents and 10 weeks for non‑birth‑giving parents; the policy applies to adoptions as well. Handshake also partners to provide one‑on‑one coaching on preparing for leave and coming back from leave Flexible time off: No accrued time off or waiting period to take vacation. Two paid flexible holiday days off to observe holidays that closely align with religious, cultural, and personal needs Sabbatical: Paid six‑week sabbatical to recharge and reset beginning at six years of continuous, full‑time employment, and every four years thereafter Volunteer time off: Two days off for social and civil activism, volunteer work, and/or any related activities, including attending and participating in protests The ideal candidate is a strategic storyteller and experienced operator: someone who can craft nuanced narratives, manage high‑stakes moments, build strong press relationships, and execute with speed and judgment in a fast‑moving environment Bonus: experience with AI, future of work, labor markets, education, marketplaces, HR tech, or enterprise technology Comfort working cross‑functionally with leadership, marketing, product, legal, policy, people, and sales teams Excellent writing and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling narratives Strong executive communications experience, including partnering with founders, CEOs, or senior leaders on external narrative, media strategy, and thought leadership Ability to operate both strategically and hands‑on, from setting the communications strategy to drafting statements, pitches, briefs, and social content Proven ability to build press relationships and secure meaningful earned media coverage across business, technology, workplace, education, or AI press Strong judgment under pressure, especially in reactive, sensitive, or ambiguous communications moments 7+ years corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or media relations, ideally in high‑growth tech or a top communications agency Experience managing external communications agencies or consultants #J-18808-Ljbffr