Handshake

Staff Communications Manager

San Francisco, CA · Staff+ · Full-time

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 28 days ago

Strategic CommunicationsLeadershipCommunication

About the 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.
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.

Handshake is looking for a senior communications leader to own and evolve our corporate communications strategy.
In this role, you'll own corporate positioning, press strategy, inbound media inquiries, and executive visibility.
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.
Build scalable communications processes for press intake, approvals, messaging, executive prep, launches, and reporting.

Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, from setting the communications strategy to drafting statements, pitches, briefs, and social content.

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.
7+ years corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or media relations, ideally in high-growth tech or a top communications agency.
Strong executive communications experience, including partnering with founders, CEOs, or senior leaders on external narrative, media strategy, and thought leadership.
Excellent writing and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling narratives.
Strong judgment under pressure, especially in reactive, sensitive, or ambiguous communications moments.

💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported-and thrive at work and in life.
The below benefits are for full-time US employees.
🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, wellness stipend
📚 Growth: Learning stipend, ongoing development
🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers http://joinhandshake.com/careers.
Partner hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world's top educational institutions
💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

Handshake was founded on a simple belief that everyone deserves a path to a great career, regardless of where they went to school or who they know.
Today, we power 25 million job seekers, 1 million+ employers, and 1,600 educational institutions.
In 2025, we started Handshake AI and built the fastest-growing AI data business in history.
We work directly with frontier AI lab researchers to create evaluations, publish benchmarks, and push the boundary of data.
We've grown from $0 to ~$1B run rate and pay ~$60M to over 30K individuals every month.
Team outings & referral bonuses
Oversee external communications agency partners and ensure their work is focused, high-quality, and aligned with company priorities.
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.

This listing is sourced directly from Handshake's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.