Head of Brand & Storytelling

Job description

Government technology has failed the public for decades, and Americans have been conditioned to expect websites from the 90s for essential public services. Kaizen exists to strengthen trust in American public services by building technology that residents and public servants are proud to use. We partner with local, state, and federal agencies to replace legacy systems with modern, AI-native software that is worthy of the people they serve. We started in outdoor recreation, and now we're building toward something much larger — the software layer that powers how Americans access any government service. Our platform reaches 55 million Americans across 50+ agencies. Our goal: build technology that touches the lives of 100 million residents by the end of the year. Founded in 2022 and based in New York City, Kaizen has raised $35 million from NEA, a16z, Accel, 776, and Carpenter Capital. We're builders, designers, and operators who believe that beautifully designed software shouldn't be a luxury in government. It's how you earn trust back. THE ROLE Kaizen has built something real: 40M residents, 50+ agencies, 17 states. Most people have never heard of us. That changes now - we're at the point where our brand needs to do serious work: recruit mission-driven talent, win federal contracts, build credibility with investors, and make Kaizen a name that people in government, tech, and public life actually know. This is not a production role, it's a builder role, for the person who figures out what Kaizen's brand should be and then makes it happen across every channel. You'll own editorial content, short films, the website, social presence, executive storytelling, and the long game of making this company iconic. You'll work directly with our co-founders, and you'll have the latitude to move fast and make big calls. LOCATION This is a hybrid role based out of our New York City HQ. Candidates must reside in New York or be able to commute to New York City to work out of our office at least three times a week (Tuesdays - Thursdays). WHAT YOU'LL DO - Define and execute Kaizen's external brand strategy: what we stand for, how we show up, and how we build recognition across government, tech, and the public - Own the content engine: editorial (LinkedIn, Substack, written longform), short films, YouTube, podcasts, and anything else that puts Kaizen on the map - Write and produce executive communications that travel, including board updates, investor narratives, op-eds, and media appearances - Build toward long-term brand goals and treat distribution as part of the creative work, not an afterthought - Partner with sales and proposals on assets that win contracts: case studies, one-pagers, pitch materials - Quarterback external vendors and contractors (PR firms, video production, freelancers) and direct their output without being dependent on them WHAT YOU'LL BRING - 6–10 years building brand and content at a company where the brand actually mattered. Not maintaining it, building it - A portfolio that shows range and point of view: editorial content, brand systems, video storytelling, executive comms, plus evidence that your work traveled beyond its original channel (a portfolio link is required as part of your application) - Sharp instincts for narrative and positioning. You think about why something should exist before you make it - Comfort operating as a one-person function to start, with proven ability to build and scale a team of contractors and FTEs - AI-native workflow: you use tools to scale your output and stay ahead of what's possible - Strong writing skills, good enough to ghost-write for executives and produce editorial content that earns an audience on its own STRONG CANDIDATES MAY ALSO… - Have built a brand function from scratch at an early-stage company, before there was a playbook - Have experience in govtech, defense tech, or any sector where the buyer is skeptical and the mission is serious - Have grown an audience on their own (a newsletter, a channel, a following) and understand distribution from the inside DON'T APPLY IF… - Your portfolio is mostly B2C ad campaigns, short-form social videos, or content built for large production teams - You need a detailed creative brief, a structured process, or a large team of full-time staff underneath you to do your best work - You think brand is a support function that executes what sales or product asks for - You're not energized by the idea of making Kaizen a name that people recognize in DC, in government offices, and in the broader conversation about what technology for the public sector should look like WHAT KAIZEN OFFERS Health & Insurance - 100% coverage across the board: medical through Oxford/United (Gold and Platinum PPO plans), dental through Guardian PPO, and vision through Beam — all fully covered for employees, with 100% coverage for dependents. - $100,000 in fully paid life insurance. FSA and Dependent Care FSA. - One Medical membership, on us — same-day primary care, 24/7 virtual visits, and offices all over the city. - Fertility and family-building support through Carrot. - 401(k) through Guideline, with a 2% company match. Family & Time Off - 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents. 10 weeks fully paid for non-birthing parents. - Unlimited PTO, with a two-week minimum (we mean it when we say take time off!) - Closed for all federal holidays. - Company-wide winter break the week of Christmas. - Company offsites throughout the year. Office & Remote Setup - Up to $750 one-time home office or desk setup stipend for NYC-based employees. $500 for remote employees. - $50/month commuter benefit (company contribution). - Expensed lunch while in the office. - Company-provided laptop of your choice. Wellness - Fully covered gym membership at Grindhouse https://grindhousemhttn.com/ — right across the street from our office at 47 W 17th St (and in Williamsburg). A $225/month value, on us. For remote employees, $100/month dedicated to gym or physical fitness reimbursement. Stipends - $100/month utility stipend. - $500/year professional development. - $250/year recreation. - $300/quarter pet care stipend.