📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director of External Communications & Public Affairs
🔹 Company: Workiva
🔹 Location: Denver, Colorado, United States (Remote OK)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Corporate Communications, Public Relations
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-23
🔹 Experience Level: 12+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving Workiva’s global communications and public affairs strategy
- Overseeing media relations, executive thought leadership, and crisis communications
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure messaging aligns with business objectives
- Building and leading a high-performing team
- Measuring success through media impact, share of voice, and contribution to pipeline growth
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, always-on environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute global external communications & public affairs strategy
✅ Craft compelling messaging and narratives
✅ Drive cross-functional collaboration
✅ Lead executive thought leadership
✅ Engage media and track performance
✅ Lead crisis communications
✅ Build and lead a high-performing team
✅ Execute integrated campaigns and editorial strategy
✅ Provide strategic guidance
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong decision-making skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience: 12+ years in global corporate communications, public relations, public affairs, or closely related field
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in media relations, investor communications, and crisis communications for a public B2B technology or SaaS company
- Strong strategic execution and attention to detail
- Results-driven mindset
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, always-on environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a decentralized communication function
- Experience leading high-profile public affairs and regulatory partnerships
- Knowledge or experience working with the Workiva platform
- Strong communicator with the ability to convey complex ideas and data to diverse audiences
- Effective communication skills across all organizational levels
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools are likely to be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $185,000.00 - $296,000.00 per year (US)
Benefits:
- Discretionary bonus typically paid annually
- Restricted Stock Units granted at time of hire
- 401(k) match and comprehensive employee benefits package
Working Hours: Full-time position with up to 30% travel required
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is for the US and may vary based on location. The actual salary offer will consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Workiva is a leading cloud platform for finance, sustainability, audit, and risk, enabling transparent reporting for a better world.
Company Size: Workiva has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: 2008, with a history of innovation and growth in the cloud-based technology sector.
Company Description:
- Workiva offers the only unified SaaS platform that brings customers’ financial reporting, sustainability, and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) together in a controlled, secure, audit-ready platform.
- The platform simplifies the most complex reporting and disclosure challenges by streamlining processes, connecting data and teams, and ensuring consistency.
- Workiva is committed to powering transparent reporting for a better world.
Company Specialties:
- Government Reporting
- Internal Controls
- Section 16
- SEDAR Reporting
- SOX
- SEC Reporting
- CCAR/Stress Tests
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Environmental Health and Safety
- ORSA
- RRP
- Sustainability
- Board Reporting
- Investor Relations
- Managerial Reporting
- CASS
- Statutory Reporting
- Regulatory Reporting
- Internal Audit Management
- Financial Close Reporting
- Berichtspflichten
- ESEF-Berichterstattung
- Geschäftsberichte
- Internes Kontrollmanagement
- Regulatorisches Berichtswesen
- SEC-Berichterstattung
- Reporting annuel
- Gestion des Contrôles Internes
- Reporting réglementaire
- Reporting statutaire
- ESEF Reporting
- Statutory Reporting
- Regulatory Reporting
- Annual Reporting
- ESG and CSRD
Company Website: http://www.workiva.com
ASSUMPTION: Workiva is a well-established company with a strong presence in the cloud-based technology sector, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior leadership level, requiring extensive experience and a proven track record in global corporate communications.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Director will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and work closely with various cross-functional teams, including product marketing, R&D, sales, operations, investor relations, and internal teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, with up to 30% travel required to meet with media, public affairs partners, and thought leadership events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape Workiva’s global communications and public affairs strategy
- Opportunity to collaborate with and learn from senior leadership and cross-functional teams
- Chance to develop and mentor team members
- Potential to expand the role’s scope and impact as Workiva continues to grow
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of professional development and career advancement within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Workiva has multiple office locations and supports a remote-friendly work environment.
Office Location(s): Ames, Iowa (Headquarters), Bozeman, Montana, Charleston, South Carolina, Denver, Colorado, Missoula, Montana, New York, New York, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Scottsdale, Arizona, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Amsterdam, Netherlands, London, England, Paris, France, Frankfurt, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Australia, Sydney, Australia, Madrid, Spain
Geographic Context:
- Workiva’s headquarters is located in Ames, Iowa, with additional offices across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
- The Denver office is one of Workiva’s major hubs, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and networking.
- The remote-friendly work environment offers flexibility and work-life balance.
Work Schedule: Full-time position with up to 30% travel required
ASSUMPTION: Workiva’s remote-friendly work environment and multiple office locations provide employees with the flexibility to work from various locations while still benefiting from the collaboration and resources of a larger organization.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Leadership and team management skills
- Crisis management and communication skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of Workiva’s platform
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Workiva’s platform and industry trends in your application materials
- Prepare examples of your past successes in media relations, crisis communications, and thought leadership to discuss during the interview
- Research Workiva’s company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
ATS Keywords: Global communications, public affairs, media relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, strategic execution, team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, brand development, assessment, external communications, public relations, B2B technology, SaaS, Workiva platform
ASSUMPTION: Workiva’s hiring process is designed to assess candidates’ strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the organization’s needs.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Crisis communication software (e.g., Agility PR Solutions, Onclusive)
- Workiva’s proprietary platform
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools are likely to be beneficial for this role. Specific tools and technologies may vary based on the team’s needs and preferences.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Customer-centric
- Innovation
- One Workiva
- Results-driven
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and always-on environment
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and metrics-focused
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, always-on environment?
- Are you comfortable working remotely and collaborating with distributed teams?
- Do you have strong communication skills and the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences?
- Are you results-driven and metrics-focused?
- Do you align with Workiva’s company values and work style?
ASSUMPTION: Workiva values candidates who are results-driven, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, remote-friendly environment. Strong communication skills and alignment with the company’s values are essential for success in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Balancing remote work and collaboration with distributed teams
- Navigating complex reporting and disclosure challenges
- Adapting to a decentralized communication function
- Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers significant growth opportunities, it also presents challenges that require strong time management, communication, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior communications roles, this position places a greater emphasis on global strategy, public affairs, and crisis communications
- Workiva’s focus on financial reporting, sustainability, and GRC sets it apart from other B2B technology companies
- This role offers a unique opportunity to shape Workiva’s global communications and public affairs strategy, with potential for significant impact and growth
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior communications positions, its focus on global strategy, public affairs, and crisis communications, as well as Workiva’s unique platform, sets it apart in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global communications and public affairs strategy for Workiva’s expansion into new markets
- Managing a high-profile crisis communication situation, ensuring Workiva’s reputation remains intact
- Leading a team to create and execute a thought leadership campaign, positioning Workiva’s executives as industry experts
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, leadership, and communication skills required for success in this role, as well as the opportunity to make a significant impact on Workiva’s global communications and public affairs efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into Workiva’s overall communications and public affairs strategy?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Workiva support work-life balance for remote employees?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the organization?
- How does Workiva approach crisis communications, and what would be expected of me in such situations?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past successes in media relations, crisis communications, and thought leadership to discuss during the interview
- Research Workiva’s company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
