Upwork - Director, Internal and CEO Communications

• 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. • Life at Upwork • 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. • Careers • LinkedIn • Facebook • Instagram • TikTok