Vice President, Communications

The Vice President, Communications is the senior leader responsible for Okta’s global communications strategy. This role owns the company’s external & internal narrative and positioning across corporate, product, and executive communications, ensuring consistency, credibility, and impact with key audiences.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, the VP of Communications serves as a trusted advisor to the executive team and a strategic partner across Marketing, Product, People, Legal, and other senior leadership functions. The role balances long-term vision with hands-on execution, anticipating market trends, shaping proactive storytelling, and leading with accountability and influence.

Results (What Success Looks Like)

The VP of Communications will be accountable for delivering the following outcomes:

• A clear, compelling, and differentiated external narrative for Okta that strengthens brand reputation and supports business growth
• Strong, consistent positioning across corporate, product, and executive communications globally
• High-impact executive communications that elevate Okta’s leadership voice and credibility with customers, partners, media, and investors
• Effective crisis communications leadership, ensuring the company is prepared for, navigates, and emerges stronger from sensitive or high-impact situations
• Data-informed communications programs with clear metrics, insights, and continuous improvement
• A high-performing, engaged communications team with strong capabilities, clear priorities, and measurable impact
• Increased effectiveness of communications through best practices, standardized processes, and operational rigor

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute Okta’s global external communications strategy across all regions
• Oversee corporate, product, and executive communications to ensure alignment and message cohesion
• Act as chief editor for high-visibility external communications, including press materials, executive statements, and thought leadership
• Owns the internal communication strategy, specifically all hands, employee communications and kick offs. 
• Partner with senior leaders to shape and communicate Okta’s story in alignment with company strategy and priorities
• Lead crisis communications planning and response in close collaboration with executive leadership and Legal
• Provide competitive and market intelligence to inform positioning and strategic decision-making
• Establish and evolve metrics to measure communications effectiveness and impact
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global communications team

Relationships (How the Role Operates)

The Vice President, Communications will work closely with:

• Executive Leadership Team: Serve as a trusted advisor and influencer on company narrative, positioning, and external messaging
• Chief Marketing Officer: Align communications strategy with broader brand, marketing, and go-to-market priorities
• Product and Engineering Leaders: Translate complex technology and innovation into clear, compelling external stories
• Legal and People Teams: Partner on crisis management, employee-related communications, and sensitive issues
• Marketing, Brand, and Demand Teams: Ensure consistent messaging and integration across campaigns and channels
• External Partners: Manage and guide agencies, media relationships, and other external stakeholders

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or related fields, with a strong mix of agency and in-house experience
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise technology communications for a publicly traded company (identity and access management experience is a plus)
• Proven ability to partner with and influence executive leadership
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives and external audiences
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of building and scaling high-performing teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and change within a growth-oriented culture
• Strategic, forward-thinking mindset with strong execution discipline
• Self-motivated, accountable, and resourceful with a low-ego, collaborative leadership style

Leadership Expectations

Okta leaders are expected to embody our values—love our customers, always secure always on, build and own it, and drive what’s next—and demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Builds Effective Teams
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness (EQ)
• Develops Talent
• Drives Results
• Strategic Mindset

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PID: (P8409_3331337)