Head of PR & Communications

About the job Head of PR & Communications


Head of PR & Communications

Location: Onsite - San Mateo, CA
Compensation: $170,000 - $250,000 base + equity
Visa Sponsorship: Not available

The Opportunity

HireNow Staffing is partnering with a high-growth AI software company to hire a Head of PR & Communications to build and scale its brand from the ground up.

This is a senior leadership role for a proven brand architect who has helped turn unknown or unexpected companies into recognizable, talked-about brands . The company is entering a critical phase where brand, narrative, and cultural relevance will directly influence product adoption, consumer trust, and long-term market position.

You will own brand strategy and communications end-to-end , blending earned media, social, and modern storytelling channels to define how the company shows up in the world.

Why This Role Is Different

• This is not enterprise PR or reputation maintenance
• This is brand creation , not brand protection
• You will translate complex AI technology into consumer-relevant stories
• The mandate is awareness, relevance, and momentum-not press volume

What You'll Do

Candidates must demonstrate depth across these responsibilities to be considered:

• Define and lead a cohesive brand and communications strategy across PR, social, and owned channels
• Build consumer-facing brand awareness for a company most people don't yet recognize-but should
• Establish the company's positioning and narrative, simplifying complex technology into emotionally resonant, accessible stories
• Own PR strategy end-to-end, including media relations, press moments, influencer strategy, launches, and events
• Drive modern storytelling through social platforms and emerging channels-not just traditional media
• Partner closely with executives to shape thought leadership, visibility, and public presence
• Prepare the brand for future consumer-facing product launches
• Hire and lead a communications team, building scalable systems and standards as the company grows

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in PR, communications, or brand strategy
• Background in consumer-facing B2C or B2B2C technology environments
• Demonstrated success building brand awareness for companies that started with little to no public recognition
• Strong command of modern channels, especially social and digital storytelling
• Experience translating complex or technical products into clear consumer narratives
• Stable, progressive career history with clear ownership and leadership scope

Preferred Qualifications (Critical for Standout Candidates)

The strongest candidates will bring multiple of the following:

• Experience building a brand for a company people wouldn't expect to know-and making it known
• Background at high-growth consumer tech companies with distinctive, modern brand identities
• Experience with innovative B2B2C platforms or technically complex products sold to broad audiences
• Track record helping creates cult-like brand followings or strong emotional affinity
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in execution
• Comfort building brand and PR foundations without relying on legacy enterprise frameworks

This Role Is Not a Fit for Candidates Who:

• Rely heavily on traditional, enterprise-style PR playbooks
• Come from organizations where PR is primarily reactive or compliance-driven
• Have unstable or highly fragmented work histories
• Lack experience building consumer awareness from near-zero
• Prefer slow-moving, highly layered corporate environments

HireNow Staffing Disclaimer

HireNow Staffing is acting as a direct placement partner for this role. All candidate information is handled confidentially and evaluated against defined requirements. This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Duties may evolve based on client needs and business growth. Only candidates who meet the specific qualifications listed above and demonstrate a stable employment history will be considered for interview.

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