Head of External Communications
Dropbox
PLEASE READ: Zones are based on your zip code. If you’re within 100 miles of a listed metro area (straight-line radius), you’re included in that Zone. For this role, we are hiring in Zones 2 and 3. Check your Zone here before applying.
Role Description
Responsibilities
- Define and execute an integrated external communications strategy across corporate, product, and executive communications.
- Lead, develop, and scale a high-performing External Communications team, setting a strong bar for craft, judgment, and collaboration.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team on external messaging, media strategy, reputation management, and crisis response.
- Drive proactive, differentiated storytelling that links product innovation, customer outcomes, and company vision.
- Oversee media relations, press strategy, product launches, executive thought leadership, and issues management.
- Partner closely with Product Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, and Corporate Affairs to ensure alignment and message consistency.
- Build and manage relationships with top-tier media, industry analysts, and external agency partners.
- Establish success metrics, measurement frameworks, and feedback loops to continuously improve communications impact.
- Stay ahead of technology, media, and communications trends; experiment with new formats, platforms, and tools.
Requirements
- 15+ years of experience in external communications, corporate communications, PR, or related disciplines, with a strong preference for tech or SaaS environments.
- Proven experience leading and scaling communications teams in complex, fast-growing organizations.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a demonstrated ability to simplify complex products and strategies.
- Strong executive presence and experience advising and partnering directly with C-suite leaders.
- Track record of leading high-stakes communications programs, including product launches and sensitive issues.
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to align communications to company goals.
- Sound judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively in high-velocity, ambiguous environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading external communications at a high-growth or transformation-stage SaaS company.
- Deep background across both corporate and product/platform communications.
- Experience managing media relations, analyst relations, and executive thought leadership programs.
- Comfort operating as both a strategic leader and hands-on practitioner.
- Proven partnership with Product Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, and executive teams.
- Familiarity with modern communications channels, digital storytelling, and social platforms.
US Zone 1
This role is not available in Zone 1
The range(s) listed above is the expected annual salary/OTE (On-Target Earnings) for this role, subject to change.
Please note, OTE are for sales roles only.
Salary/OTE is just one component of Dropbox’s total rewards package. All regular employees are also eligible for the corporate bonus program or a sales incentive (target included in OTE) as well as stock in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
Dropbox takes a number of factors into account when determining individual starting pay, including job and level they are hired into, location/metropolitan area, skillset, and peer compensation. We target most new hire offers between the minimum up to the middle of the range.
Dropbox uses the zip code of an employee’s remote work location to determine which metropolitan pay range we use. Current US Zone locations are as follows:
• US Zone 1: San Francisco metro, New York City metro, or Seattle metro
• US Zone 2: California (outside SF metro), Colorado, Connecticut (outside NYC metro), Delaware, Illinois (Chicago metro), Indiana (Chicago metro), Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (Chicago metro), New Hampshire, New Jersey (outside NYC metro), New York (outside NYC metro), Oregon, Pennsylvania (D.C. metro), Pennsylvania (outside NYC or DC metro), Texas (Austin metro) Virginia (DC metro), Washington (outside Seattle metro), Washington DC metro, West Virginia (DC metro), Wisconsin (Chicago metro)
• US Zone 3: All other US locations
Company Description
Dropbox isn’t just a workplace—it’s a living lab for more enlightened ways of working. We're a global community of bold visionaries and resourceful doers who are shaping the future of Dropbox—and with it the future of work. Our Virtual First model combines the autonomy of a distributed workplace with the power of human connection, making space for both meaningful work and meaningful relationships. With our start-up mindset and enterprise-level opportunities, you can be who you are and grow into who you’re meant to be. Here, you can own your impact to make work more intuitive, joyful, and human—for you as a Dropboxer and for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. If you're ready to push boundaries—and yourself— Dropbox is ready for you.
Team Description
The Dropbox Communications team brings the Dropbox story to life and shares it with the world. We turn ideas into impact by crafting authentic narratives that build trust, spark engagement, and bring our mission to life. We are purposeful storytellers, creating alignment and clarity across channels and audiences to shape powerful messages that strengthen our brand both inside and outside Dropbox. Whether we're launching products, amplifying customer voices, or securing strategic speaking opportunities, we remain true to our values of transparency and authenticity. If you're a storyteller excited about helping people inside Dropbox and around the world connect with our product, brand, and vision, join our Communications team. Areas of work include Public Relations, Internal Communications, Executive Communications, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, and Thought Leadership.
Benefits
Dropbox is committed to investing in the holistic health and wellbeing of all Dropboxers and their families. Our benefits and perks programs include, but are not limited to:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) plan with a generous company match and immediate vesting
- Flexible PTO/Paid Time Off, paid holidays, Volunteer Time Off, and more, allowing you time to unplug, unwind, and refresh
- Income Protection Plans: Life and disability insurance
- Business Travel Protection: Travel medical and accident insurance
- Perks Allowance to be used on what matters most to you, whether that’s wellness, learning and development, food and groceries, and much more
- Parental benefits including: Parental Leave, Child and Adult Care, Day Care FSA, Fertility Benefits, Adoption and Surrogacy Support, and Lactation Support
- Access to over 10,000 global co-working spaces through Gable.to, making it easy to book flexible workspaces for collaboration or individual work
- Quarterly Cell phone and internet allowance
- Mental health and wellness benefits
- Disability and neurodivergence support benefits
Additional benefit details are available upon request.
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