SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Handshake is the career network for the AI economy, connecting 25 million job seekers, over a million employers, and 1,600 educational institutions. The company operates two business units—Careers and Handshake AI (which includes human data, Labs, and Enterprise AI)—and has grown rapidly, tripling headcount, opening offices in New York and India, and acquiring companies in under two years.
You will own and run Handshake's internal communications function, reporting to the Chief Communications Officer. This is a senior individual contributor role (no direct reports) that requires building internal communications from the ground up. You'll work daily with leadership across both business units and the People team to create a clear, consistent internal narrative across all offices (San Francisco, New York, Bangalore, and remote employees).
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and own the internal communications strategy, calendar, and operating rhythm across both business units
- Serve as the primary internal communications partner to the C-suite
- Run All Hands meetings on a standard cadence and extend the model to departmental levels
- Partner with the People team on employee communications and key lifecycle moments
- Design and operate recognition and culture programs
- Build and manage core internal channels; select and implement tools
- Translate technical and complex work into clear, accessible narratives for all employees
- Align internal and external narratives so employees hear company news first
- Measure comprehension and impact, not just reach; report findings to leadership
You'll design systems, select tools, and earn a seat at the leadership table as an embedded strategic partner. Success is measured by whether leadership communication becomes clearer, more consistent, and more trusted, and whether the company maintains cohesion as it scales.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 8–12 years in internal/employee or executive communications, including experience scaling internal comms through rapid company growth
- Exceptional writing ability; can write convincingly in a founder-CEO's voice
- Proven track record building communications systems and processes from scratch
- Skilled at translating complex, technical work into clear, plain-language narratives
- Trusted advisor to senior leadership; comfortable providing candid counsel
- AI-native working style; uses AI to gather, draft, and measure communications work
- Strong judgment and discretion with sensitive or high-stakes material
- Data-literate; comfortable setting benchmarks and reporting results to executives
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with People, Legal, Marketing, and Product/Engineering teams
- Bonus: experience at an AI company, post-acquisition integration, employer brand, or event production
