Manager, Internal Communications

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

We are looking for an experienced Internal Communications Manager who excels in creative storytelling and has strong writing skills. This versatile role involves managing a variety of projects that are essential to the success of our business. It requires adaptability, quick thinking, and the ability to solve problems while effectively interacting with executives. 

In this position, you will oversee internal communications strategies and campaigns for different technical teams and business units (BUs), including but not limited to IT, Information Security, Engineering, and our internal initiatives. Additionally, you will provide support to executives in key business units such as Customer Experience & Trust, Enterprise, Marketplace, Payments, and Product Marketing.

You'll be a vital member of the internal communications team within the Brand and Communications team at Upwork, reporting directly to the Director of Internal Communications. We're looking for an individual who is enthusiastic about joining a team that aims to innovate and make an impact in the communication space within an exciting company that is redefining the future of work. 

If you're passionate about building strong partnerships, have a curious mindset (particularly in the emerging technology space), and are eager to collaborate with team members and business partners, we encourage you to apply. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Execute initiatives led by the Internal Communications team, including global campaigns, engaging employees through creative storytelling (written, visual, and live events), managing centralized employee and leader communication resources, supporting employee engagement initiatives, and managing our communication channels.
• Provide strategic input on messaging and positioning, and influence stakeholders as needed to ensure communications provide context, clarity, and are aligned with our desired goals.
• Identify and support projects that improve the strength of the entire Internal Communications team (identify shared editorial opportunities and find new ways to streamline similar work, recommend new AI tools, etc.).
• Support our weekly company-wide meetings, our quarterly All Hands meetings, and our Annual Kickoff gathering, including managing content, coaching speakers in rehearsals, and developing presentations.
• Actively manage content on behalf of your stakeholders on our company-wide intranet.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of Upwork’s internal communications channels and share recommendations to create momentum and awareness, as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities. 

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing comprehensive technical strategic communications programs to advance an organization's mission, strategy, and goals.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks with frequently changing requirements and deadlines, and the ability to operate fairly independently, with minimal guidance from manager.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally or internally).
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with executives, as well as the ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work closely with executives to develop, secure approval of, and deploy their communications.
• Ability to develop advanced concepts and solutions to problems that require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation.
• Experience working with teams to plan video scripts and manage informal video creation is a plus. 
• Maintains a calm presence when dealing with issues.

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.

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.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.