About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated VP of Communications who will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and be responsible for developing communication programs to promote Samsara’s products and services, and plan and execute compelling PR initiatives in line with marketing campaigns and objectives. You will help refine and deliver Samsara’s vision and brand through our story and product innovation to the media and customers resulting in increased coverage and awareness in North America and EMEA. In this role, you will also lead internal communications, helping us engage and inspire our global employee base, as well as Talent Brand, partnering with our People team to showcase our culture and build our brand as a top tier destination for talent. 

You are a good fit for this role if you thrive in an environment without a set playbook, and are excited to build a scalable, high-impact communications team that drives growth across the company. You have a track record of hiring and developing strong talent; “leads from the front”, with deep knowledge of building a brand, communication best practices, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

In this role, you will:

• Define and lead a comprehensive and cohesive communications strategy and structure, inclusive of all communications disciplines, including both internal and external.
• Raise Samsara’s profile through building and executing a brand communications strategy from the ground up, engaging new and innovative ways to showcase our company, category and product and technology narratives through owned content and earned channels to elevate our brand in the market. Direct the creation of compelling content, messaging and collateral.
• Craft inspiring and empowering narratives that align to the buyer’s journey, resonate with the public, and elevate our customers.
• Cultivate new relationships and build on existing relationships with journalists, analysts, innovators and influencers.
• Manage the global communications team spanning Public Relations, Editorial, Social Media, Internal Communications, and Financial Communications, including regular outreach for relationship building, news-focused communications, and targeted activities to accelerate our efforts. Build and maintain relationships with top-tier consumer, business and tech outlets, both here in the U.S. and internationally.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar that provides a drumbeat of proactive announcements, ensuring we’re speaking to our key stakeholder groups on a consistent basis.
• Serve as a strategic communications thought partner to the CEO and executive team, providing counsel and key insights that strengthen long-term brand reputation and drive greater, positive awareness. 
• Develop compelling executive thought leadership platforms for the CEO and broader executive team. Oversee executive visibility campaigns including advising on social media presence, placing executive profiles, podcast appearances, bylines and high-level speaking engagements. 
• Collaborate with colleagues in finance/IR, marketing, legal and other teams to support efficient and effective dissemination of the company’s strategy and message. 
• Partner with stakeholders to help build crisis preparedness activities to develop communications strategies to employees, and the craft public communications.
• Drive engaging internal communications programs to align and inspire our globally distributed workforce.
• Partner closely with Recruiting to craft and manage a talent branding strategy that defines and communicates the employee value proposition and ensures Samsara attracts, grows and retains the industry’s best talent. Support diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly related to external outreach and employee messaging.
• Direct multiple agency relationships and manage related budgets effectively.
• Champion, role model, and embed Samsara’s cultural principles (Focus on Customer Success, Build for the Long Term, Adopt a Growth Mindset, Be Inclusive, Win as a Team) as we scale globally and across new offices
• Hire, develop and lead an inclusive, engaged, and high performing team

Minimum requirements for the role:

• 20+ years experience in Communications, Public Relations & Marketing with 10+ years experience leading Communications & Corporate Marketing functions globally for high-growth, public software companies.
• 10+ years experience leading and growing teams.
• A unique storyteller with a track record of developing differentiated POV that help set companies apart.
• A strong ability to translate technical concepts into compelling business and human interest narratives.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills (written, verbal, and visual)
• Self-starter: Highly motivated professional who requires minimal supervision and shows initiative with ideas that support PR strategy and company goals.
• Hybrid creative and analytical thinker who can help teams come up with innovative ideas and measure their impact for the company.
• Proven ability to drive PR for technology startups/entrepreneurs.
• Experience in strategic communications, including message development and strategic positioning.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to handle projects end-to-end.
• Bias-to-action and focused on results.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field of study.

An ideal candidate also has:

• Road safety, mobile technology, SaaS experience (strongly preferred)
• Experience in a B2B technology environment 
• Journalism background