[Hiring] Head of Communications @Atticus

Role Description

Atticus sits at the intersection of regulated legal services, consumer technology, and one of the most consequential policy landscapes in the country. We’re hiring our first Head of Communications to turn opportunities into coverage, credibility, and influence. Your mission: establish our media presence and shape how stakeholders understand our company and our impact.

You’ll own corporate communications and public relations, reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, Amanda Runner, and partnering closely with:

• Stephanie Akpa, Head of Policy and Public Affairs
• Arpit Garg, Chief Legal Officer
• Sam Byker, Founder & CEO

You’ll build a communications program anchored in two engines: data journalism and policy-driven storytelling, particularly around the SSA.

What You'll Own

• Communications strategy and operations: Set the communications strategy, core messages, and a 12-month editorial calendar that grows Atticus's media coverage.
• Earned media strategy: Build a public relations program that consistently lands Atticus in the outlets that shape public and policymaker perception.
• Policy newsjacking and rapid response: Build the muscle to move quickly when SSA or adjacent policy news breaks.
• Public affairs and Congressional engagement: Partner with our Public Affairs and Advocacy team to design and execute DC fly-ins.
• Corporate communications: Own execution positioning for our CEO and leadership team, thought leadership platforms, and crisis preparedness.
• Agency and stakeholder management: Quarterback our PR and public affairs agencies.
• Communications operations: Own the operational infrastructure for PR and Comms at Atticus.
• Team building: Hire and develop the comms team over time as the function grows.

What Success Looks Like In Year One

• Atticus is a regular, credible voice in tier-1 coverage of Social Security and retirement, the SSA, disability benefits, and consumer access to the legal and benefits systems.
• We have a rapid-response operation that consistently shows up in the first 24 hours of major SSA policy moments.
• We’ve executed at least a handful of well-staged Congressional events and fly-ins that meaningfully advanced our policy priorities.
• Our CEO has an established executive platform anchored in a clear, distinctive point of view.
• Earned media and public affairs outreach are executed under one integrated plan.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in communications, with meaningful time in a policy-adjacent environment.
• Track record of earned media wins delivered through data and original insight.
• Public affairs chops: organized fly-ins, staged Congressional events, worked with hill staff.
• A strong writer and editor: can move fluently between various writing formats.
• A cross-functional quarterback: comfortable holding the middle across various teams.
• Government affairs fluency: understand how Congress and federal agencies work.
• Genuine compassion for the people we serve.
• Comfort in a performance-driven culture.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance with 100% of employee premiums covered.
• 15 vacation days & ~20 paid holidays each year.
• Free membership to OneMedical.
• $600/year reimbursable stipend for internet service.
• $1,000 reimbursable stipend for education and training outside of work.
• Up to $1,200/year student loan repayment assistance.
• 401(k) and optional HSA/FSA.
• Humble, thoughtful, smart, fun colleagues.

Location

This job is fully remote and we’re committed to empowering everyone with flexibility. Work remotely, and travel to LA (on the company dime) as needed to be with your colleagues.