Director, Internal and CEO 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 us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

We're looking for an experienced communications professional to lead our internal communications function and partner closely with our CEO on messaging and thought leadership. This is a rare dual-mandate role: you'll own the internal communications function that keeps our people informed, connected, and engaged, while also serving as a trusted strategic advisor and communications partner to our CEO.

You'll report to the VP of Communications and work closely with the People and Leadership teams. As Head of Internal Communications, you'll support the entire Leadership Team on internal communications while serving as a dedicated communications partner to the CEO on both internal and external messaging. This is a high-visibility, high-impact position for someone who is equally comfortable crafting a company-wide all-hands narrative and developing content that captures an executive's authentic voice.

Responsibilities

Internal Communications

• Define and lead the company’s internal communications strategy, ensuring employees are informed, aligned, and connected to company priorities and how their work connects to the broader mission
• Build and evolve communication channels, cadences, and formats to improve reach, engagement, and clarity across a distributed organization
• Support the broader Leadership Team on internal communications, helping leaders communicate clearly and consistently with their teams
• Partner with HR/People to develop communications around talent programs, benefits, and organizational changes
• Establish metrics and feedback loops to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve internal communications strategy
• Own the planning and execution of regular company meetings and all-hands, delivering informative and compelling connection moments both virtually and in person
• Shape and reinforce company culture, values, and mission through consistent, meaningful storytelling

CEO Communications

• Partner with the VP of Communications and external communications team to develop content that supports the CEO's communications strategy across both internal and external channels, including company-wide messages, speeches, board materials, LinkedIn, and media bylines
• Serve as a steward of the CEO's editorial voice and point of view, ensuring consistency and authenticity across all content
• Anticipate communications needs tied to business milestones, industry moments, and cultural conversations
• Support prep for the CEO for all-hands meetings, town halls, and key internal moments with messaging, talking points, and Q&A prep

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop an internal communications team, setting priorities and alignment to teams, building processes and standards, providing coaching, and ensuring high-quality execution across workstreams

What it takes to catch our eye

• Experience leading internal and/or executive communications strategies with clear impact on employee alignment and leadership effectiveness
• Proven ability to partner with senior executives and translate vision into authentic, compelling messaging across audiences and channels
• Exceptional writing and editorial judgment, with the ability to adapt voice and tone while maintaining consistency and credibility
• Strong strategic instincts and the ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience using AI tools to draft, refine, and scale communications, while critically evaluating outputs for accuracy, tone, and intent

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 21 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 and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life 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. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

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