Corporate Reputation & Crisis Communications, Senior Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Corporate Reputation & Crisis Communications, Senior Manager

🔹 Company: Okta

🔹 Location: Bellevue, WA | Chicago, IL | Toronto, ON

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid

🔹 Category: Corporate Communications

🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Protecting and shaping Okta’s reputation during crises
• Collaborating across functions to manage incidents and issues
• Developing strategic communication plans
• Leading a team to ensure readiness for adverse events
• Advising key business partners and the executive team on crisis communications

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in crisis communications and public relations. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing crises and developing effective communication strategies.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Serve as a leader on the Corporate Reputation and Crisis Communications team, mentoring other communicators, and providing strategic and tactical leadership in issue response and crisis communications.

✅ Develop and execute strategic communications plans that properly position Okta during a crisis or incident.

✅ Create and update processes, playbooks, and operational plans to keep the Crisis Communications Team aligned and efficient.

✅ Lead the training and exercise program to drive readiness, team capabilities, and continual improvement.

✅ Stay abreast of industry trends in crisis response, reputation management, crisis communications, and communications broadly to ensure the team is industry-leading in its approach and capabilities.

✅ Cultivate positive relationships with Okta leaders, executive stakeholders, and internal business and communication colleagues.

✅ Serve as a communications advisor to senior leaders and to the cross-functional teams assembled to address an issue and provide guidance on reputational risk in the context of issues, policies, and company decisions.

✅ Build messaging and content under time constraints and ensure alignment while taking into consideration the outstanding needs of multiple stakeholders/audiences.

✅ Execute and lead media listening and insights for key issues and help develop an overall media strategy to inform the communications approach.

✅ Be the calm in the storm during intense or stressful situations.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management capabilities, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will be able to navigate ambiguity and balance competing priorities.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or Marketing preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 10-15 years of related experience in public relations/corporate communications, with a background in crisis communications and issues management.

Required Skills:

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Strong project management capabilities
• Solid interpersonal, relationship-building, influence, and collaboration skills
• Confident in presenting communications strategies to executives and gathering input in high-stakes scenarios
• Experience leading or participating in crisis response/incident management and working on related communications
• Ability to work with product/technology subject matter experts to distill technical information into appropriate messaging for identified stakeholders/audiences
• General knowledge of SaaS/cybersecurity markets, products, and technologies to help frame and contextualize communication deliverables
• An innate drive to work with urgency, make progress, and remain calm in high-pressure situations

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with a global team
• Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in crisis communications and public relations, with a proven track record in managing crises and developing effective communication strategies.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $146,000 - $218,000 USD (for candidates located in California, Colorado, New York, and Washington)

Salary Range: $132,000 - $198,000 CAD (for candidates located in Canada)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid leave (including PTO and parental leave)
• Equity (for eligible roles)
• Bonus (for eligible roles)
• RRSP with company match (for Canadian employees)
• Healthcare spending account (for Canadian employees)
• Telemedicine

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and the company's internal compensation structure.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Software Development (specifically, Identity Management and Access Management)

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees (mid-sized to large)

Founded: 2009 (16 years ago)

Company Description:

• Okta is a leading independent provider of identity for the enterprise
• Okta's platform provides secure identity management from the cloud, combining enterprise-grade security with an intuitive user experience
• Okta helps customers manage and secure their extended enterprise, including customers, partners, and employees

Company Specialties:

• Identity Management
• Access Management
• Single Sign-On
• SaaS
• Cloud
• User Management
• Mobile Security
• Mobility Management
• Identity as a Service (IDaaS)

Company Website: Okta.com

ASSUMPTION: Okta is a well-established company in the identity management and access management industry. It is known for its strong focus on security, user experience, and customer success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Manager (experienced professional with significant leadership responsibilities)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Corporate Communications or a similar executive position

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (a combination of on-site and remote work)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance to a director or vice president role within the communications department
• Opportunities to expand the crisis communications program and team
• Possibility to take on additional responsibilities within the broader communications function

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand the crisis communications program and take on additional responsibilities within the broader communications function.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Okta has multiple office locations, with the primary headquarters in San Francisco, California

Office Location(s): Bellevue, WA | Chicago, IL | Toronto, ON

Geographic Context:

• Bellevue, WA: A suburb of Seattle, known for its tech industry and outdoor recreation opportunities
• Chicago, IL: A major city with a diverse economy, including finance, manufacturing, and technology
• Toronto, ON: The capital of Canada, with a diverse economy and a thriving tech industry

Work Schedule: Flexible, with a focus on results and productivity

ASSUMPTION: Okta's office locations offer a mix of urban and suburban environments, with access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and diverse communities. The work schedule is flexible, with a focus on results and productivity.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screening
• Behavioral and situational interviews
• Case study or project presentation
• Final round interviews with key stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Crisis communications experience and expertise
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Communication skills and ability to work under pressure
• Leadership and team management skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Okta's values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant crisis communications experience and achievements
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and planning skills in your application materials
• Showcase strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure in interviews
• Research Okta's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's

ATS Keywords: Crisis communications, public relations, issue management, strategic planning, communication strategy, media relations, stakeholder management, crisis response, reputation management, team leadership, project management

ASSUMPTION: Okta's application process is designed to assess the candidate's crisis communications experience, strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in crisis communications and public relations, with a proven track record in managing crises and developing effective communication strategies.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
• Crisis communications software (e.g., Navigate, OnSolve)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite, CRM software, project management tools, communication and collaboration tools, media monitoring and analytics tools, and crisis communications software.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Focus on our customers
• Act with integrity
• Nurture inclusion
• Pursue excellence
• Take ownership

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on outcomes
• Adaptable and open to change
• Transparent and communicative
• Customer-focused and customer-centric

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Okta's company values?
• How do you handle working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, especially in high-pressure situations?
• How do you ensure that your communication strategies are effective and resonate with diverse stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Okta's company culture is collaborative, customer-focused, and results-driven. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, adaptable, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing crises and issues in real-time, often with limited information
• Balancing the needs and expectations of multiple stakeholders, including customers, employees, and investors
• Working with a global team, across different time zones and cultures
• Keeping up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in crisis communications
• Managing a team and mentoring other communicators, while also being hands-on and tactical

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage crises and issues effectively, balance stakeholder needs, work with a global team, stay current with industry trends, and manage a team while also being hands-on and tactical.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other senior communications roles, this position has a stronger focus on crisis communications and issue management
• In the identity management and access management industry, this role is unique in its focus on crisis communications and reputation management
• Career-wise, this role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to expand the crisis communications program and take on additional responsibilities within the broader communications function

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on crisis communications and reputation management within the identity management and access management industry. It offers significant growth potential and is well-suited for experienced professionals looking to advance their careers in crisis communications and public relations.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a crisis communications plan for a potential data breach
• Managing media relations during a product recall or security incident
• Creating and distributing internal communications during an organizational crisis or change
• Training and exercising the crisis communications team to ensure readiness and team capabilities
• Updating and improving the crisis communications program and playbooks based on industry trends and best practices

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role. The ideal candidate will have experience in crisis communications and public relations, with a proven track record in managing crises and developing effective communication strategies.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe a recent crisis or issue that Okta has faced, and how the crisis communications team responded?
• How does Okta approach collaboration and information sharing between the corporate communications team and other departments?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the crisis communications team, and how are they being addressed?
• How does Okta support the professional development and growth of its crisis communications team members?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of Okta's crisis communications function, the team's priorities and challenges, and the company's approach to professional development and growth.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Okta Careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant crisis communications experience and achievements
• Prepare a case study or project presentation showcasing your crisis communications skills and strategic thinking
• Be ready to discuss your approach to crisis communications, stakeholder management, and team leadership in interviews
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.