Communications Manager

Verkada; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare programs with premiums covered

Paid parental leave and fertility benefits

Flexible PTO

Daily healthy lunches

Job summary

Verkada is looking for a Communications Manager in San Mateo, CA, who is passionate about AI's impact. This role involves driving media strategy, crafting stories, and managing relationships across the tech landscape.

The ideal candidate has 7-12 years of experience and a proven media relations track record. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare, flexible PTO, and a competitive salary range of $130,000 – $165,000 USD.

Qualifications

• 7-12 years of communications experience in tech or agency.
• Strong media relations track record.
• Ability to create clear narratives.

Responsibilities

• Drive proactive media strategy across various sectors.
• Develop narratives connecting technology to real-world issues.
• Build and maintain media relationships.
• Write press materials and pitches.

Skills

Communication Strategy

Media Relations

Writing Skills

Judgment Under Pressure

Collaboration

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a Communications Manager who is genuinely passionate about AI’s real‑life impact on people and places and wants to communicate Verkada’s story with the world. This is someone who knows instinctively where Verkada fits in the news of the day and who understands the importance of communications in earning and maintaining brand trust. You'll join a small but mighty communications team where everyone rolls up their sleeves, owns projects end‑to‑end, and moves with urgency.

What You'll Do

• Drive our proactive media strategy across business, technology, trade, and vertical press.
• Develop vertical narratives that connect Verkada's technology to real problems in the real world (rising retail crime, warehouse safety compliance, school security, healthcare facility management, and more) and pitch them with specificity and conviction to the reporters covering those beats.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters covering enterprise tech, AI, physical security, and the industries we serve.
• Write across formats: press releases, pitches, bylines, briefing documents, messaging frameworks, op‑eds, talking points, FAQs.
• Prepare spokespeople for media with interview prep, message development, and ongoing coaching.
• Monitor the news cycle and respond quickly and strategically to breaking developments – whether that's a surge in retail crime, a workplace safety incident, or a shift in the regulatory landscape.
• Use AI tools to do your job better and more efficiently.

What We're Looking For

• 7‑12 years of communications experience in‑house at a tech company and/or at an agency with serious B2B/enterprise clients with a strong media relations track record.
• Vertical storytelling instincts. A fast, credible student of the industries Verkada serves who can understand where our products make an impact and turn that into a pitch.
• Writing that earns trust. Clear, concise, and human prose, even when explaining a complex or nuanced topic.
• Sound judgment under pressure. Someone who can prioritize well when everything feels urgent and knows the difference between fast and sloppy.
• A builder mentality. We're a lean, collaborative team where everyone contributes ideas, owns outcomes, and isn't afraid to experiment.

Nice to Have

• Experience in enterprise SaaS or adjacent B2B verticals.
• Experience with research‑driven storytelling and proprietary data initiatives.
• Familiarity with crisis communications and issues management.
• Experience supporting a company through a period of high growth.

US Employee Benefits

Verkada is committed to fostering a workplace environment that prioritizes the holistic health and wellbeing of our employees and their families by offering comprehensive wellness perks, benefits, and resources. Our benefits and perks include:

• Healthcare programs that can be tailored to meet the personal health and financial well‑being needs – premiums are 100% covered for the employee under at least one plan and 80% for family premiums under all plans.
• Nationwide medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Health Saving Account (HSA) with annual employer contributions and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with tax‑saving options.
• Expanded mental health support.
• Paid parental leave policy and fertility benefits.
• Time off to relax and recharge through paid holidays, firm‑wide extended holidays, flexible PTO and personal sick time.
• Wellness/fitness benefits.
• Healthy lunches provided daily.

Annual Pay Range

$130,000 – $165,000 USD (OTR). Eligibility for additional compensation such as sales incentives, discretionary bonuses, and/or equity may apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals. All applicants for positions at Verkada will be treated without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

You must be independently authorized to work in the U.S. This role is not open to visa sponsorship.