VP, Communications

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of the global media strategy and develop relationships with journalists, editors, and producers in the fields of science, technology, business, and philanthropy.

• Position XPRIZE executives and domain leaders as credible and authoritative voices through media engagement, speaking opportunities, and editorial contributions.

• Create and sustain an ongoing communications presence that keeps XPRIZE in the spotlight between prize milestones.

• Oversee the current PR agency and establish a long-term partnership model with the agency.

• Direct the communications strategy throughout the entire prize lifecycle — from pre-launch positioning to winner announcements and impact storytelling.

• Ensure that every significant prize milestone is backed by a coordinated earned media plan that aligns with the owned content strategy.

• Simplify complex scientific and technical topics for two distinct audiences at the same time: domain experts who grasp the science, and philanthropic donors and sponsors who need to sense the urgency and importance.

• Collaborate closely with Advancement leadership to ensure the communications strategy aligns with fundraising priorities and donor engagement objectives.

• Shape the narrative strategy that links XPRIZE's scientific advances to philanthropic investment decisions.

• Create high-impact communication materials — such as impact reports, donor resources, executive messaging, and campaign narratives — that support Advancement's outreach efforts and enhance donor relationships.

• Act as a communications advisor to the CMO on messaging strategy, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.

• Supervise executive communications, including speeches, keynote presentations, op-eds, and thought leadership initiatives.

• Lead crisis communication efforts and reputation management, establishing protocols and coordinating responses with executive and legal leadership.

• Work closely with the VP of Content to ensure that the owned content strategy is integrated with the earned media strategy rather than isolated.

• Provide the narrative foundation — including messaging frameworks, story angles, and briefing materials — that enables the owned content team to create work that garners media attention.

• Ensure that significant prize milestones are supported by a cohesive content and communications strategy.

• Build the communications function from the ground up — setting up systems, standards, and agency partnerships that can scale with the organization.

• Manage external agency partnerships with clear accountability for performance and outcomes.

• Supervise the communications budget with discipline and transparency.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 12 years of experience in communications leadership, including senior responsibility for earned media strategy and executive communications.

• Proven ability to translate complex scientific, technical, or policy subjects into engaging narratives for diverse audiences simultaneously.

• Established connections with top-tier media in the fields of science, technology, business, and philanthropy.

• Demonstrated capability to build communications infrastructure from the ground up — including systems, processes, and partnerships — rather than merely maintaining existing frameworks.

• Experience in creating donor-facing or philanthropic communications for sophisticated investor audiences.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience in executive messaging and serving as a spokesperson.

• Comfortable working in a lean, fast-paced environment where strategic and executional demands coexist.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote-first environment (must reside and work within the United States).

• Quarterly company-sponsored All-Hands meetings in Los Angeles for regular in-person collaboration.

• Medical, dental, and vision options for employees and their dependents.

• A 401(K) program with employer matching contributions.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, floating holidays, sick days, and company-paid holidays.

• An Employee Assistance Program offering confidential, professional support for personal, family, or other challenges.

• Employee stipends/reimbursements for cell phone, internet, health & wellbeing, and learning & development expenses.

• Generous Paid Parental Leave for all employees welcoming a new child into their family.

• One meeting-free block per week and four focus weeks per year to ensure uninterrupted time for strategic projects.