Vice President, Global Corporate Communications 

Company Description

Rapid7 (Nasdaq: RPD) is advancing security with visibility, analytics, and automation delivered through our Insight cloud. Our solutions simplify the complex, allowing security teams to work more effectively with IT and development to reduce vulnerabilities, monitor for malicious behavior, investigate and shut down attacks, and automate routine tasks. Over 9,900 customers rely on Rapid7 technology, services, and research to improve security outcomes and securely advance their organization. For more information, visit our website, check out our blog, or follow us on LinkedIn. 

The Opportunity

Rapid7 seeks a Vice President of Global Corporate Communications who will help drive a strategic transformation agenda now under way. Because Rapid7’s leadership team considers Communications to be essential to its continued growth and momentum, the company places a very high value on this function. With that as the backdrop, we are seeking a creative and bold leader who will build out this function and drive positive change in support of our business goals. 

Reporting to the CMO, you will have a broad portfolio that includes responsibility for Internal and External communications, Media Relations, Social Media, Executive Communications, Industry Analyst Relations and Community Relations. You will be accountable for building a global team (including external agency partners) across several domestic and global markets, with the largest presence in Boston. If you are looking to directly impact the expansion of a brand and a company on the path to $1b+, this could be your dream job!

The Role

The Vice President of Global Corporate Communications will: 

• First and foremost, build and protect the reputation of Rapid7.

• Develop and launch an integrated global communications plan with programs and initiatives tied directly to Rapid7’s business priorities and value creation.

• Create heightened global awareness of Rapid7’s profile in CyberSecurity operations through our portfolio of SaaS offerings including Vulnerability Management, Detection & Response, Threat Intelligence and Cloud Security, spotlighting the company’s “top quadrant” leadership across all product offerings and the Insight Cloud platform which offers an integrated and unique customer solution and experience. 

• Elevate and coordinate thought leadership programs and content aligned with brand positioning and consumer-driven insights; drive Rapid7’s global brand reputation and awareness through unique content and thought leadership.

• Partner with internal subject matter experts and content creators from Rapid7’s research function to maximize impact; amplify thought leadership across executive leadership speaking forums, industry events, digital media, etc.

• Build support for the communications agenda with executive and business leadership and help them see the value of actively participating; develop a more formalized “speakers bureau” and media training across global markets.

• Lead media relations, with an emphasis on forging and protecting relationships with top-tier journalists and ensuring company news and information is delivered accurately and on a timely basis. 

• Develop and lead crisis communications plans and coordination across global markets.

• Enhance existing social media capabilities and activity, continuing to evolve the communications function in keeping with digital trends by being adept at social listening, creating dialogue, analyzing outcomes, and developing solutions based on lessons learned. 

• Working closely with People Management, ensure that special attention and care is placed in the area of internal communications and employee engagement, with a priority on keeping employees around the world apprised of, and engaged with, Rapid7 values, vision and purpose as well as its business priorities and achievements.

• Develop a robust industry analyst platform, forging trusting relationships with key industry analysts in the interest of an open dialogue which presents a clear and accurate representation of Rapid7 capabilities in all dimensions.

• Act as an advisor to senior leaders on executive communications and preparation for internal and external forums.

• Enhance our broader profile of Rapid 7’s community impact, including the newly formed Foundation to support both US and global business. 

• Proactively work to ensure Rapid7’s employment brand is recognized and appropriate awards around talent, innovation, culture and business performance are obtained (and amplified).

• Work closely with the company’s Investor Relations function to ensure that financial communications, including earnings releases and call scripts, are clear and consistent across stakeholder groups.

• Support Community Relations efforts, embodying Rapid7’s mission and values as a global company with a local commitment.

Qualifications and Traits

The ideal candidate will be a passionate, experienced communicator and builder who can operate with an entrepreneurial mindset and approach while scaling to support the future organizational vision. This person will be able to manage a broad portfolio of responsibilities and exhibit the capacity to take on more. Experience leading various aspects of the Marketing function, or working in lockstep with the Marketing organization, will be critical. Strong leadership skills to develop and inspire teams to do great work with a mission-driven approach is a must. 

Other qualifications and attributes will include:

• Deep credentials in Communications as well as experience in the technology industry; specific understanding of SaaS environments will be a significant advantage

• A strong functional leader who inspires others and is respected for their domain knowledge and ability to provide exceptional counsel to executive teams

• A builder with proven experience to build a high-performing Corporate Communication function with a focus on balancing short-term needs with longer-term objectives; ability to effectively communicate strategy, structure and skills needed to be successful with a roadmap to execute

• A hands-on executive who relishes being in the thick of things and wants to have “skin in the game” whose capabilities include both strategic planning and tactical execution

• Clear, compelling and effective writer and editor with a background in developing content strategy and execution in a collaborative, results oriented manner; experience with customer audiences and segments to develop compelling messaging, storytelling and content

• Ability to generate big and sound ideas, along with the credibility to sell them and the discipline to execute them

• Skilled in the appropriate use of multiple communications channels – from traditional to digital/social/ experiential

• Crisis management skills and experience

• Demonstrated ability to present complex information in clear and understandable formats to a wide range of audiences with differing levels of technical understanding

• Confident and able to develop a strong internal network of trusting relationships; co-creator mindset and collaborative instinct 

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Ability to operate as leadership’s “peripheral vision,” closely analyzing societal, cultural, political, and business trends and applying them to the organization’s strategy

• Employing a keen eye out over the horizon for evolving issues and opportunities and continuously monitoring the overall risk landscape to manage reputational risk

• Calm under pressure and comfortable in a fast-paced organization; able to coolly absorb complexity and a high volume of work

• Operates with complete honesty, integrity and transparency and creates a trusting, collaborative and ethical work environment

• Maintains the highest levels of quality and accountability and serves as a positive role model throughout the organization

• Combines mental discipline with creative thinking but comfortable operating at a tactical level when that is needed

• Willingly expresses an opposing view with constructive delivery, in the interest of good counsel

• Isn’t afraid to laugh and use humor to diffuse tense situations