Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Community Engagement

As the Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Community Engagement, you’ll play a key role in supporting Nasdaq’s Listings business by enhancing engagement, visibility, and client growth, especially among high-growth private companies and their networks.

Your responsibilities include crafting and executing communication strategies that establish Nasdaq as the go-to partner for private companies at every stage – from early growth through IPO preparation and public market entry.

This role sits at the intersection of communications, strategy, and client relationships, demanding strong storytelling skills and a focus on building lasting connections.

Success in this position requires a solid understanding of the private company lifecycle and robust relationships throughout the ecosystem – spanning companies, founders, investors, advisors, and influencers. A commercial mindset, industry connections, and enthusiasm for impactful storytelling in a dynamic, fast‑paced setting will help you excel in this role.

• Drive proactive media relations, thought leadership, and storytelling efforts that reinforce Nasdaq’s leadership in private markets and listings.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with marketing, sales, content, events, and regional teams to ensure consistent, high‑impact communications.
• Monitor trends across private markets, capital formation, and adjacent ecosystems to inform strategy and ensure Nasdaq stays ahead of the narrative.

• Develop and execute strategic communications programs that enhance Nasdaq’s visibility, relevance, and leadership among high‑growth private companies and the private market ecosystem.
• Shape narratives that clearly articulate Nasdaq’s role in the private‑to‑public journey, capital formation, and long‑term company success.
• Develop clear messaging architecture and proof points for priority sectors (AI, fintech, health tech, space, cybersecurity, enterprise software, etc.).

• Support new client growth by partnering closely with Listings leadership and commercial teams on prospect engagement, client pitches, and ecosystem‑driven initiatives.
• Engage directly with private company executives, founders, investors, and advisors through events, thought leadership, media opportunities, and targeted communications.
• Leverage deep ecosystem knowledge to identify opportunities to engage key audiences across funding stages, sectors, and geographies.

• Partner with the Listings business on IPO pitches and supporting the long‑cycle relationship building across the private market landscape.
• Build and maintain a set of pitch‑ready narratives and tools: company‑specific story angles, executive positioning, sector POVs, FAQs, competitor differentiation, etc.
• Coach internal partners on how to tell the Nasdaq story with confidence and consistency in high‑stakes settings.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Business, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 12–15+ years of experience in corporate communications, ideally with a top‑tier agency working with high‑growth tech or capital markets clients, or in‑house at a high‑growth private company.
• Exceptional communications skills, including writing, narrative development, media relations, and executive‑level storytelling.
• Deep experience and established connectivity across the private market ecosystem, including high‑growth companies, investors, and advisors.
• Strong commercial mindset with proven experience supporting client pitches, growth initiatives, and outcome‑driven communications programs.

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MA in Communications) or equivalent senior‑level experience.
• Demonstrated fluency in the private company lifecycle, capital formation, and the evolving dynamics of private and public markets.
• Proven ability to lead through influence in matrixed environments and deliver high‑quality work under pressure in regulated settings.

This position will be located in New York and offers the opportunity for a hybrid…