📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Executive Communications Manager - R&D - Canada
🔹 Company: Samsara
🔹 Location: Canada (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Communications, Executive
🔹 Date Posted: May 16, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting R&D leaders on employee communications
- Executing integrated communication strategies for key R&D leaders
- Developing external communication initiatives to enhance the talent brand
- Collaborating with various teams to create engaging content
- Using a data-driven approach to measure communication impact and iterate on strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate will have experience working with senior leaders and a strong understanding of R&D organizations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Support R&D leaders on a wide range of employee communications, including strategic consultation on organizational changes, town halls, AMAs, and crafting written communications to R&D teams.
✅ Build and work cross-functionally to execute integrated communication strategies for key R&D SVPs and VPs, focusing on leaders in Safety, Connected Workforce, and Connected Equipment.
✅ Develop and execute external communication initiatives to build the talent brand for select R&D SVPs and VPs through press, social media, events, podcasts, and compelling content (bylines, blogs, etc.).
✅ Collaborate with Design, Product Marketing, and other teams to develop engaging content for keynotes and mainstage sessions.
✅ Use a data-driven approach to measure the impact of communication initiatives, iterate on strategies, and collaborate with stakeholders across Communications, Marketing, HR, and R&D.
✅ Champion, role model, and embed Samsara’s values and operating principles as the company scales globally and across new offices.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Strong project management skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders are crucial for success in this role.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or a related field.
Experience: 8+ years of communications experience, with a focus on employee and/or executive communications, at a high-growth Tech/SaaS company.
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills (written, verbal, and visual)
- Proven track record supporting senior leaders with internal and external communications
- Experience partnering cross-functionally to execute communication plans
- Background in developing thought leadership content, employee communications, and ideally some experience with media relations or external branding
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working directly with Research & Development organizations
- Familiarity with the enterprise SaaS market
- Experience with event content development and execution
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, equivalent experience and a strong portfolio may be considered. Relevant industry experience is more important than the specific degree earned.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The range of annual base salary for full-time employees for this position is CAD $85,850 - $111,100. Base pay offered may vary depending on factors including your city of residence, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
- Health Benefits
- Remote and Flexible Working
- Samsara for Good Charity Fund
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, but flexibility may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Canada. Actual compensation may vary based on the factors mentioned.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Samsara operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on IoT-based solutions for physical operations. The company is a pioneer in the Connected Operations™ Cloud, enabling organizations to harness IoT data for actionable insights and improved operations.
Company Size: Samsara is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for growth and career development.
Founded: Samsara was founded in 2015 and has since grown to become a publicly traded company with a strong presence in North America and Europe.
Company Description:
- Samsara is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, which enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations.
- The company's mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.
- Samsara is a proud technology partner to the people who keep our global economy running, including the world’s leading organizations across construction, transportation and warehousing, field services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and public sector.
Company Specialties:
- Internet of Things (IoT) solutions
- Connected Operations™ Cloud
- Data-driven insights and analytics
- Safety, efficiency, and sustainability improvements
Company Website: http://www.samsara.com
ASSUMPTION: Samsara's focus on IoT and data-driven insights makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in technology and innovation. The company's commitment to improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability also appeals to socially conscious job seekers.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring significant experience and a proven track record in communications.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Executive Communications Manager will report directly to the Head of Communications and work closely with R&D leadership.
Work Arrangement: This is a remote position open to candidates based in Canada. Samsara offers flexible working arrangements, including remote work and hybrid options.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Samsara continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Senior Executive Communications Manager to take on additional responsibilities and advance their career within the Communications team or the broader organization.
- The company's focus on innovation and expansion also presents opportunities for the successful candidate to gain experience in new areas and contribute to Samsara's overall success.
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement and flexible working options make this role attractive to candidates who value work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere in Canada. Samsara's growth trajectory also presents exciting career growth opportunities for the right candidate.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Samsara has multiple offices worldwide, but this role is remote and can be performed from anywhere in Canada.
Office Location(s): Samsara's offices are located in San Francisco, London, Atlanta, Mexico City, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Warsaw, Taipei, and Bengaluru.
Geographic Context:
- Canada is a large and diverse country with a strong tech industry and a high quality of life.
- The remote nature of this role allows for flexibility in location, enabling candidates to live and work from any part of the country.
- Samsara's global presence also provides opportunities for the successful candidate to work with teams and leaders based in different time zones.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, with flexibility based on individual needs and team requirements.
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement and flexible working options make this role attractive to candidates who value work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere in Canada. Samsara's global presence also provides opportunities for the successful candidate to gain international experience and work with diverse teams.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- In-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including the Head of Communications and R&D leadership
- Final interviews with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and storytelling abilities
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams
- Alignment with Samsara's values and operating principles
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Showcase your ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in your application materials.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Samsara's mission and the role of the R&D organization in achieving it.
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process to show your interest in the role and the company.
ATS Keywords: communications, executive, R&D, strategy, project management, stakeholder engagement, thought leadership, employee communications, media relations, external branding
ASSUMPTION: Samsara's hiring process is designed to assess the candidate's communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. The company values candidates who can demonstrate their ability to work effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Design and content creation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable using a variety of communication and collaboration tools to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety: Samsara is committed to improving safety in the industries it serves.
- Efficiency: The company helps organizations streamline their operations and reduce waste.
- Sustainability: Samsara's solutions contribute to a more sustainable future by reducing emissions and promoting responsible business practices.
- Innovation: The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Work Style:
- Samsara values a high-performance, collaborative work environment.
- The company encourages employees to take ownership of their work and contribute to the company's overall success.
- Samsara fosters a culture of open communication and transparency.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share Samsara's commitment to improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the industries it serves?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapting to change?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented work culture?
ASSUMPTION: Samsara's values and work style make it an attractive employer for candidates who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world, thrive in collaborative environments, and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and balancing the needs of various stakeholders, which can be challenging at times.
- Samsara's fast-paced growth and dynamic environment may present challenges in terms of keeping up with changes and maintaining a strong work-life balance.
- The remote work arrangement may present challenges in terms of communication and collaboration with team members and leaders based in different time zones.
- The role may require occasional travel to attend company events, meet with stakeholders, or visit offices.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple priorities effectively. They should also be able to balance the needs of various stakeholders and adapt to change as needed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other executive communications roles, this position has a stronger focus on supporting R&D organizations and working with senior leaders in a high-growth tech company.
- Samsara's industry focus on IoT and data-driven insights sets it apart from other companies in the tech sector, presenting unique opportunities and challenges for the successful candidate.
- Career paths in executive communications can vary depending on the industry and the specific organization. In Samsara, there may be opportunities for the successful candidate to move into more senior roles within the Communications team or the broader organization as the company continues to grow.
ASSUMPTION: The unique aspects of this role and Samsara's industry focus make it an attractive opportunity for candidates interested in executive communications, R&D organizations, and high-growth tech companies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive communication plan for a major R&D product launch, including employee communications, external press releases, and social media campaigns.
- Collaborating with Design and Product Marketing teams to create engaging content for a keynote speech by an R&D leader at an industry conference.
- Conducting a thorough review of the company's employee communication channels and making recommendations for improvement based on data-driven insights.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to manage complex communication initiatives from start to finish.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader Communications team and the company's overall strategy?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the R&D organization, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Samsara support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Samsara measure the success of its communication initiatives, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and the company, and helps them better understand the expectations and requirements of the position.
📌 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 a portfolio or examples of your work, if applicable, to showcase your communication skills and achievements.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
