Global Head of Communications

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. 

About the Role

This senior executive role will be responsible for setting Semafor’s communications strategy, telling Semafor’s story, managing Semafor’s external and internal communications, the media operations around live journalism, and working closely with company leaders to shape and tell Semafor’s story to a wide range of global media. 

The successful candidate will be an experienced, strategic, globally-minded comms leader who is eager to go on offense for a early-stage growth company with a great story to tell and a belief that communications is a key function. The candidate will also be ready to shape communications around everything from big scoops to company financial results. They'll have the level head and experience required for the complex situations that sometimes arise out of high-stakes journalism. And they’ll have the work ethic and intense engagement required to thrive at an ambitious new news organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Serve on the CEO’s leadership team, helping guide company strategy, mission, and positioning.
• Work closely with the CEO, editor-in-chief, and leadership team to develop a clear long-term strategy for Semafor’s communications.
• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy aligned with business, editorial, audience, marketing and brand goals.
• Serve as Semafor’s global spokesperson and media liaison.
• Position Semafor as a thought leader and showcase the expertise of our journalists and teams.
• Design and implement systems for internal communications, working closely with HR leadership
• Advise and consult with the CEO, editor-in-chief, and leadership team to develop a clear long-term strategy for Semafor’s communications.

Media & External Communications

• Build and manage strong relationships with top-tier journalists across New York, Washington, and global media hubs.
• Lead proactive media relations, manage crises, and craft communications around Semafor scoops, initiatives, and financial updates.
• Oversee global tentpole communications strategies — including the World Economy Summit and other flagship events.
• Drive publicity and narrative development across editorial products, platforms, and partnerships.
• Shape and execute the CEO’s public communications strategy, including speeches, interviews, and op-eds.

Internal Communications

• Create systems and strategies to unify and inform a global and hybrid team.
• Develop internal messaging frameworks that reinforce Semafor’s mission, values, and culture.

Growth & Brand Strategy

• Work closely with the Chief Revenue Officer and Global Head of Brand Marketing, to support business development, partnerships, and sales objectives. The Global Head of Communications will also collaborate with clients as needed.
• Collaborate with marketing and audience teams to expand brand awareness and user engagement.
• Implement measurable communications plans to support traffic, subscriptions, and audience growth across platforms.
  Oversee brand messaging, visual identity usage, and communications governance.
  
  

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in communications, preferably in media, journalism, tech, or government.
• Deep knowledge of the global media landscape, especially in the U.S., UK, and international press corps.
  Track record of managing crisis communications, high-stakes media environments, and complex reputational issues.
• Strong writer and editor with excellent news judgment and message discipline.
  Proven experience shaping narratives, securing earned media, and elevating institutional visibility.
• Comfortable working closely with senior leaders and representing brands publicly.
• Familiarity with business and financial communications.
• Experience working across cultures and time zones; a global outlook is a plus, as are language skills.
• Ability to lead and implement communications strategies with both strategic vision and hands-on execution.
• Experience managing comms for live journalism events and conferences is a plus.

Salary Range

$175,000- $225,000. base plus bonus and equity. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc.

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.