Head of Communications

Tailscale

1d•$190,000 - $237,000•Remote

About The Position

Tailscale is seeking a strategic, creative, and experienced Head of Communications to lead and scale its global communications function. The role will shape how Tailscale is understood by the market, raise its media visibility, and build the communications capabilities needed for its next phase of growth. Tailscale is a multi-product secure connectivity platform spanning networking, privileged access, workload connectivity, and AI infrastructure, and the role will help establish the company as a leading networking choice for AI and agentic infrastructure. Reporting to the SVP of Marketing, the Head of Communications owns product and corporate communications, public relations, media strategy, internal communications, crisis communications, awards, international communications and media relations, new media engagement, and executive communications for the leadership team outside the CEO. The role partners with a separate CEO and policy communications leader to coordinate consistent company narratives. This is a hands-on builder role. The successful candidate will initially lead execution while hiring and developing a small, high-performing team, expected to start at around two people and potentially grow. They will work with leaders across Product, Engineering, Marketing, People, Legal, and the executive team to build a communications function that can scale with Tailscale's ambitions.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in public relations, product communications, or corporate communications, ideally at high-growth B2B technology companies.
A proven track record of securing meaningful earned media coverage and building strong relationships with influential journalists.
Deep product communications expertise and the ability to translate complex technical products into clear, compelling stories.
Experience hiring, managing, and developing communications professionals and overseeing agency partners.
Exceptional writing, storytelling, and editorial judgment across external, executive, and internal communications.
Experience advising senior executives and handling high-stakes or sensitive communications situations.
Strong strategic judgment and operational discipline, including the ability to prioritize, build scalable processes, and measure impact.
Curiosity about and openness to using AI to support operations and execution without replacing human taste and judgment.
A hands-on, creative, accountable leadership style; ability to thrive in ambiguity, move quickly, and build from the ground up.

Nice To Haves

Experience in networking, cybersecurity, infrastructure, developer tools, or AI.
Experience scaling communications at a high-growth, global technology company.
Experience supporting fundraising, acquisitions, or pre-IPO communications, and experience supporting a company through an IPO.
Experience collaborating with teams supporting analyst relations, public policy, or major industry research initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute Tailscale's global communications strategy to strengthen brand awareness, reputation, and market leadership.
Lead product and technology communications, turning technical innovations, product launches, and customer stories into compelling narratives and meaningful media coverage.
Develop sustained product storytelling between launches through independent reviews, technical publications, comparisons, creators, third-party validation, and potentially research-led PR.
Build relationships with leading business, technology, cybersecurity, and AI journalists; pursue proactive media opportunities and increase Tailscale's share of voice.
Expand Tailscale's presence in emerging media channels, including podcasts, newsletters, creators, and technical communities.
Own corporate communications for company milestones, strategic partnerships, funding announcements, and other business developments.
Build and scale international communications programs, including regional media relations and agency partnerships.
Develop executive communications and thought leadership for the leadership team outside the CEO, including speaking opportunities, media engagements, and executive social presence.
Coordinate with the dedicated CEO and policy communications lead on company narratives, major announcements, executive engagement, and communications campaigns aligned with the overall company narrative.
Oversee internal communications with People and executive leadership, including company-wide messaging, all-hands, organizational changes, and employee engagement communications.
Lead crisis communications, establish response plans, and partner with Legal, Security, Engineering, and leadership to protect customer trust and company reputation; improve processes as the company scales.
Own the awards and recognition strategy and secure high-value industry and company accolades.
Hire, manage, and develop a high-performing communications team; oversee external agencies, communications processes, and performance measurement.

Benefits

Equity incentive plan.
Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage for employees and their families, with no waiting period.
Employer-funded retirement contributions with dollar-for-dollar matching up to an annual employer contribution equal to 0.75% of eligible compensation.
$1,500 USD annually for professional development, plus mentorship, coaching, and internal promotion opportunities.
Flexible paid time off.
Paid parental leave top-ups: 20 weeks for birthing parents and 16 weeks for non-birthing parents.
Monthly home internet reimbursement and $500 USD to customize a home workstation.
Company-owned laptop choice (Mac or PC).
Corporate co-working program, including access to WeWork or similar spaces.
Annual company retreat, team off-sites, and support for intentional in-person team connection and travel.
Flexible work environment and remote-first company.