Vice President - Corporate Communications (San Mateo)

Company DescriptionOrganizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of “solutions” that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done.There’s another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.Freshworks Inc. builds uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional employee and customer experiences. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, helping businesses reduce complexity, lower cost-to-serve, and deliver faster, more human support through enterprise-grade yet easy-to-use CX and IT solutions. Nearly 75,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks to power their Employee Experience (EX) and Customer Experience (CX) operations.Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.Job DescriptionThe OpportunityWe're looking for a Sr/Vice President of Corporate Communications to own and evolve Freshworks' narrative in the market globally, across every channel, and at every altitude. This is a rare seat: one where you're expected to think in long-term story arcs and get in the weeds on a Reddit thread or a niche IT newsletter. You'll partner directly with the C-suite, run a high-performing global team, and set the omnichannel communications strategy that fuels our growth among agile enterprises and IT leaders worldwide.This is not a role for someone who manages from a distance. We want someone who takes big swings to land the Wall Street Journal and knows which Subreddits your buyers actually trust.What You'll Own:Communications Strategy & NarrativeDefine and scale the Freshworks corporate narrative across earned media, executive communications, social channels, influencer programming, content, and emerging LLM/AI search surfacesBuild a clear, differentiated market position that drives Freshworks' perception as the leader in midmarket IT service management and a force multiplier of AI-powered serviceTranslate complex product and business stories into sharp, accessible narratives that resonate with IT decision-makers, CX leaders, and enterprise buyersOwn the company news calendar and global PR drumbeat that balances quarterly rhythms with the agility to capitalize on breaking news and cultural momentsOmnichannel ExecutionLead a modern press office program that earns coverage in Tier 1 business and trade outlets while also driving engagement in niche communities including industry newsletters, podcasts, and LinkedIn groupsBuild and execute an influencer strategy that extends Freshworks' reach into credible, community-driven channelsDevelop an executive communications engine (including CEO, CPO, CIO, CTO, CMO) that produces consistent, high-quality thought leadership at scale, including social content, bylines, speaking engagements, and earned media momentsEnsure all executive platforms connect to corporate strategy and reinforce Freshworks' core narrative pillarsAI & Modern CommunicationsBring a forward-looking perspective on how communications is evolving — particularly the growing role of LLMs as a discovery and search layer for B2B buyersBuild a track record of actively shaping how Freshworks appears in AI-generated responses, summaries, and recommendations (i.e., LLM optimization, not just SEO)Champion the use of AI tools and workflows within the comms function to increase speed, quality, and reach of storytellingIssues Management & Crisis CommunicationsServe as the communications lead on Freshworks' Escalation Response Team, proactively identifying risk, setting strategy, and driving execution on reactive momentsMonitor global signals (social, press, analyst community) to stay ahead of issues before they escalateMeasurement & ReportingBuild a sophisticated measurement framework that tracks not just coverage volume, but message pull-through, audience awareness shifts, and contribution to pipeline and LLM influenceDeliver executive-facing reporting (MBR, QBR) with insights that translate communications activity into business impactUse data to make real-time pivots in strategy and resource allocationTeam Leadership & Cross-Functional AlignmentLead, develop, and inspire a global team of communications professionals across earned media, executive comms, and social that spans US, APAC, and EMEAPartner closely with the VP of Brand, Product Marketing, Demand Generation, Investor Relations, and Legal to ensure narrative consistency and coordinated news momentsBuild strong relationships with the C-suite to earn trust, gain alignment, and move quickly when it mattersQualificationsWhat You Bring:Experience15+ years in corporate communications, with 5+ years leading a global function at a B2B technology companyDeep experience with challenger brands and category-defining moments where you've been part of a communications transformation and can point to the workProven track record managing communications at a publicly traded company or during high-stakes moments (IPO, M&A, earnings, product pivots)Skills & PerspectiveYou’re fluent in omnichannel storytelling. You think naturally across press, social, exec comms, content, and emerging channels, and you know how they reinforce each otherYou are media savvy with real relationships. You know which reporters matter and how to earn coverage that moves the needle, not just fill a clip report.You have social channel expertise. You know the difference between a LinkedIn strategy and an X strategy, you're watching TikTok and YouTube with the same attention, and you bring a learning mindset that keeps you ahead of platform shifts.You know AI-native communications. You're already actively experimenting with how to influence LLM outputs, and you have a point of view on what the AI-era comms stack looks like.You use sophisticated measurement methodology. You know how to tie earned awareness to pipeline influence, and you can build that case with data.You have a strong executive presence. You're comfortable in the boardroom, you earn trust quickly, and you know how to get buy-in without losing speed.You have a bias toward creative, unconventional thinking. You’re more interested in disrupting the playbook than following it.Values Alignment:You thrive in a fast-moving, high-accountability environmentYou're as comfortable in a sprint as in a strategy sessionYou're energized by a challenger brand mindset and you want to win market share from giants and you know how to build the narrative that makes that possibleYou bring good vibes and a collaborative spirit to a growing teamAdditional InformationWe're committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse world we serve. At Freshworks, you'll find inclusive teams, flexible thinking, and opportunities to grow your career - while making work better for millions. If this sounds like a journey you want to be part of, we'd love to meet you. Let's building something refreshing together. The annual base salary range for this position is $290,000 - $360,000 Base Salary. Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level. Bonus/equity may be available.At Freshworks, we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion, welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.SummaryType: Full-timeFunction: OtherExperience level: ExecutiveIndustry: Information Technology And Services