Sr. Manager, PR & Communications

About Caribou

At Caribou we care about giving people financial freedom so they can focus on whats most important to them. Today less than two percent of Americans refinance their auto loans despite drastic increases in the cost of new and used cars. We see huge potential to help folks reduce their monthly auto expenses as well as increase the predictability of those expenses over time. We do this by building technology to pair customers with community banks and credit unions and ushering them through the process quickly. On average our drivers save $151/month on their car loans while protecting their investment long term.

Caribou is led by leaders from the technology automotive and finance industries. Were proud to be backed by a great team of investors including QED Investors Goldman Sachs Moderne Ventures Accomplice Link Ventures Motley Fool Ventures and others.

About the Role

As the Sr. Manager of Public Relations and Communications youll define and amplify Caribous story at the intersection of technology and financial empowerment. You will own and elevate Caribous earned media and communications strategy growing brand awareness shaping perception and establishing Caribou as the leading authority in auto refinancing while advancing our mission to make car ownership more affordable and predictable.

This role blends strategic leadership and hands-on execution combining storytelling media relations and reputation management to build Caribous profile across consumer partner and employer audiences. The ideal candidate is a strategic creative and metrics-driven communications leader who thrives in fast-paced collaborative environments.

Youll shape Caribous public voice and strengthen our leadership position in the auto refinancing category driving trust and visibility with key audiences. As an individual contributor youll partner closely with the Head of Brand and Content to develop compelling brand narratives.

This position reports to the VP of Marketing and can be remote from a state where Caribou currently operates*. Occasional travel for in-person meetings and media events may be required.

In this role you will

Lead Strategic Communications

• Own the companys external communications strategy including press media relations strategic announcements and corporate reputation management.
• Develop and execute PR strategies and story angles that promote Caribous mission while proactively identifying opportunities to insert our perspective into relevant news cycles.

Drive Storytelling Messaging & Media Relations

• Partner with brand content product marketing and exec teams to align messaging and ensure consistency across earned owned and paid channels. Translate customer stories and product innovation into newsworthy brand narratives.
• Leverage internal and external data to identify newsworthy trends and stories that will generate media coverage and position Caribou as an industry leader.
• Pitch media outlets to secure earned placements across print digital and broadcast platforms. Respond to media inquiries manage Caribous newsroom and serve as the point of contact for proactive and reactive media engagement.
• Write press releases news blogs talking points backgrounders articles and press kit materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists producers editors and influencers to generate consistent media coverage and drive organic leads.

Support Corporate and Internal Communications

• Support internal communications initiatives and employer brand storytelling to engage and inspire current and potential employees.
• Write and manage executive and company content for LinkedIn speeches events and earned placements ensuring consistency of voice.
• Manage Caribous corporate and employee reputation across Linkedin Glassdoor and similar platforms to reinforce our employer brand and company culture.

Measure and Optimize Earned Media

• Track and analyze PR impact including media reach sentiment and share of voice and communicate results to leadership.

About You

You like us are driven to achieve your goals. At Caribou we have just three core values: Give a damn. Velocity. Make the assist . Were motivated. We race towards our goals. And we help each other along the way.

• Bachelors degree in communications marketing journalism or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8 years of experience in public relations communications and/or media relations ideally within fintech financial services or a high-growth technology environment.
• Proven experience delivering impactful media coverage and effective executive communication programs.
• Exceptional storytelling skills and ability to craft compelling brand narratives.
• Strategic thinker who executes with speed accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong executive presence and confidence representing the company externally.
• Exceptional writing skills across formats from press releases and op-eds to executive speeches and social media.
• Data-driven mindset with experience analyzing data to identify trends measuring PR outcomes and optimizing communications strategies based on performance insights.
• Experience serving as a strategic communications advisor to senior leaders and executives.
• Experience in issues and crisis management with the ability to respond quickly and thoughtfully under pressure.
• Proficiency with AI tools for writing editing and workflow automation (e.g. ChatGPT Gemini).
• Excellent relationship builder and cross-functional collaborator.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with journalists editors and producers.

How we will take care of you

Everyone at Caribou is a valued team member. Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation: $116k - $145k
• Eligible for annual performance-based incentive
• Equity options
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off including Flexible Time Off (FTO) for all employees and 100% paid parental leave for all parents
• Exceptional benefits including highly subsidized medical dental and vision plans and fully company-paid mental health disability and basic life insurance
• Optional benefits to suit your individual circumstances such as HSAs (with Caribou HSA contributions) FSAs supplemental life and health legal and pet insurance
• Up to $1000 per year for eligible professional development expenses
• Employee referral program

Our Core Values

We come from all walks of life and are joined together by our shared values which guide our work and how we work together.

• Give a damn. What were doing matters. We show up determined to deliver results and we love it.
• Velocity. Were intentional about where were going and we race towards it.
• Make the assist. We have diverse strengths. We offer and ask for help so we all win.

Caribou is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation pregnancy status marital status military or protected veteran status genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. This position is not restricted solely to the responsibilities listed above and the scope and responsibilities are subject to change. A pre-employment background check is required as a condition of employment.

*Caribou does not currently have employee operations in AL AK AR CT DE GA HI IA ID IN KS KY ME MI MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV OH OK PA RI SC SD TN UT VT WV WY.

Required Experience:

Manager