Vice President of Communications

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.

As the Vice President of Communications, you will be the chief storyteller for Upwork, shaping and driving our integrated communications strategy. You will lead all internal and external efforts to amplify our mission and vision and help drive growth across Upwork. This role is pivotal in forging a cohesive narrative that resonates with a comprehensive range of stakeholders, including customers, investors, the press, analysts, and employees.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will be responsible for developing and owning a measurable communications strategy, defining the company's voice and uniting all stakeholders around our future vision. You will articulate Upwork's transformative role, especially as the accelerating impact of AI redefines how businesses operate and how talent thrives. 

Responsibilities

• Chief Storyteller: Partner with senior leadership to translate our AI-driven innovation into compelling narratives for technical and non-technical audiences, while leading a signature executive visibility program that places C-suite leaders at flagship industry events and in tier-one media.
• Strategic leader:Define and drive an integrated global communications strategy across internal communications, public relations, executive visibility, investor relations, and crisis communications.
• Master at Media relations: Oversee global PR & media outreach, building trusted relationships with tier-one press and industry analysts to elevate Upwork’s brand and thought leadership.
• Growth Driver: Develop and implement a metrics-driven strategy to drive growth across both sides of our marketplace by amplifying Upwork’s position as the global leader in AI-powered work; set measurable goals to evaluate the performance of your growth strategy.
• Strong partner to investor communications: Lead financial-market messaging with Finance and Legal partners, ensuring clarity and consistency across earnings calls, investor days, and other shareholder engagement.
• Driver of employee engagement and alignment: Design internal communications that foster strategic alignment and clarity, to strengthen Upwork’s culture and engagement.
• Team builder: Build and scale a high-performing communications team known for narrative excellence, flawless execution, and strong stakeholder management.
• Data-driven: Measure and optimize communications impact with robust tools, metrics, and insight-based pivots.
   

What It Takes to Catch Our Eye

• Proven change leader: Demonstrated success guiding multi-channel communications through major business shifts, including AI integration and organizational transformation.
• PR/IR expertise: Deep experience in public relations, executive communications, and investor relations within a high-growth, publicly traded tech company.
• Global media network: Existing roster of deep and broad media relationships spanning business, technology, and trade outlets, plus strong analyst connections.
• Talent builder: Inspires high-performing teams of subject-matter experts and attracts top senior-level talent.
• Executive partner: Trusted advisor with a sharp understanding of how to craft and deliver strategic narratives across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Technical storyteller: Outstanding writer who can translate complex technical innovation into accessible narratives—and equip leaders to do the same.
• Crisis calm: Steady under pressure, navigating high-stakes moments with clarity, composure, and sound judgment.
• Inclusive communicator: Committed to amplifying diverse perspectives across every audience touchpoint.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page to learn more about opportunities at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.