Director, Product Communications

Overview:

Okta is setting the standard for the secure agentic enterprise, enabling every company to securely implement and manage human and agent identities. 

We’re seeking a strategic and technical Director of Product Communications to cut through the noise and show how Okta’s products are solving complex identity challenges for both humans and AI agents. This is a pivotal time for Okta, and this person will play a crucial role in solidifying the company’s market leadership in the new era of AI security.

As our Director of Product PR, you will lead the team responsible for explaining how Okta is securing the future of AI through both product and partner communication efforts. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Global PR, you will act as a player-coach - managing an internal and agency team as well as leading key initiatives outright, and ensuring we are executing modern, digital-first communications campaigns. 

We are looking for someone who can easily grasp complex technical topics - like cybersecurity, identity, or cloud infrastructure - and translate them into stories that help the market understand why Okta is at the center of securing AI.

Key Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do:

• Multichannel Storytelling: Develop and lead a unified communications strategy that translates our key pillars - Workforce Identity, Customer Identity, Agentic Identity and AI Security - into clear, compelling stories that resonate across everything from traditional outlets to social media to technical blogs.
• Scale our Partner Program: Direct and help scale Okta’s U.S. partnership PR strategy, developing communications plans to amplify priority narratives and reach enterprise audiences. 
• Own the Identity Narrative: Create and run comms campaigns that further establish Okta as the authority on identity in the AI era. Your work will also help position Okta’s product executives as true thought leaders within the AI space. 
• Develop Cross-Functional Relationships: Work directly with leaders from various teams including engineering, partnerships and others, to turn product milestones and technical partnerships into news that resonates with our audiences.

• Data-Driven Insights: Utilize social listening and media analytics tools to inform strategies, measure the impact of campaigns, and pivot in real-time based on changing business needs.

Media Relations & Reputation:

• Top-Tier Engagement: Build and nurture relationships with reporters at publications like Axios, CNBC, The Verge, ISMG, TechCrunch, and WSJ, as well as new media like Substacks, podcasts and paid creators.
• Proactive Communications/Trendjacking: Leverage media relationships to quickly insert Okta’s unique point of view breaking AI, identity, and security news cycles. 
• Spokesperson Excellence: Act as a primary PR contact and prepare C-level product executives for media interviews and industry events.

Team & Executive Leadership:

• People Management: Lead and mentor a team of communications professionals. Foster a culture of "never stop innovating" within the comms function.
• Strategic Advisor: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior comms leadership on external trends, advising on when to lean in on public conversations, when our strategy may be flawed, and when we should pivot based on shifting media landscapes. 

You May Be a Good Fit if You Have:

• 15+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Typically requires 7+ years of managerial/leadership experience
• Digital Native: You’re fluent in both traditional and new media. You understand that an impactful story can come from a newsletter, a key creator or a traditional publication.
• Proven Track Record: Experience managing communications during major corporate milestones (e.g., M&A, IPOs, or high-profile product launches).
• Storytelling Mastery: The ability to take complex, technical topics and make them accessible and compelling for a general business audience.
• Executive Presence: Comfortable challenging and coaching C-suite executives on their communication style, strategy and execution.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or Marketing; an advanced degree is preferred but not required.

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