Head of External Communications

About Checkr

Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Established in 2014, Checkr’s innovative technology and robust data platform help customers assess risk and ensure safety and compliance to build trusted workplaces and communities. Checkr has over 100,000 customers including DoorDash, Coinbase, Lyft, Instacart, and Airtable. We’re a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company.

We’re seeking an experienced PR and communications leader to drive Checkr's narrative transformation and establish us as the definitive voice in trust decisions and verification technology. You'll own our story across all channels—from earned media and executive thought leadership to social presence.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can execute tactically, with deep expertise in B2B tech communications and a track record of repositioning growing companies for their next phase of scale.

What You'll Do

Lead narrative strategy :

Drive our evolution from "background check company" to "trust platform," developing compelling storylines that resonate with media, HR leaders, trust and safety officers, and business decision-makers. Lead and coordinate messaging and communications strategy for our key product, corporate, and industry initiatives.

Own media relations : Secure coverage in top-tier business, HR, and technology publications while building relationships with key journalists and analysts

Amplify executive voices : Partner with our CEO and leadership team to establish thought leadership through speaking opportunities, bylined articles, and strategic interviews

Build social presence : Grow our LinkedIn presence and engagement, creating momentum around product launches, company milestones, and industry insights

Collaborate cross-functionally : Work closely with Product Marketing, Demand Gen, and Content teams to ensure narrative consistency across all touch points

Manage communications calendar : Coordinate messaging around product launches, funding announcements, partnerships, and industry events

What You Bring

10+ years in corporate communications and / or PR experience at high-growth B2B technology companies

Proven track record repositioning or scaling communications for companies in transition ($500M+ revenue preferred)

Deep media relationships in business, HR tech, and technology verticals

Executive partnership experience - you've been a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders

Editorial instincts with ability to identify compelling stories and translate complex technology into clear narratives

Crisis management experience and sound judgment in sensitive situations

Team leadership skills - ability to build and manage communications function

Startup agility with enterprise-level execution standards

What you get

A fast-paced and collaborative environment

Learning and development allowance

Competitive compensation and opportunity for advancement

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Up to 25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services

Flexible PTO policy

Monthly wellness stipend, home office stipend

Pay Transparency Disclosure

One of Checkr’s core values is Transparency. To live by that value, we’ve made the decision to disclose salary ranges in all of our job postings. We use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop ranges for our roles and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. If this role is remote, we have listed the top to the bottom of the possible range, but we will specify the target range for an exact location when you are selected for a recruiting discussion. For more information on our compensation philosophy, see our website.

On-target Earnings or Base Salary range (San Francisco, CA)

$246,000 - $289,000 USD

Equal Employment Opportunities at Checkr

Checkr is committed to building the best product and company, which requires hiring talented and qualified individuals with a diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all backgrounds, including those whose histories are impacted by the justice system in accordance with local, state, and / or federal laws, including the San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance.

Interested in building your career at Checkr? We do not include application boilerplate here.

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