Director of Media & Communications, 23andMe
$190-275k
2+ days a week in office (Palo Alto, CA)
DNA genetic testing for health, ancestry and more
Be an early applicant
DNA genetic testing for health, ancestry and more
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
$190-275k
2+ days a week in office (Palo Alto, CA)
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.
Role
Who you are
- We're looking for a Director of Media & Communications who sees communication as both art and activism
- Someone who can craft narrative as strategy, build trust across diverse audiences, and elevate a brand that’s quietly been doing some of the most important work out there
- A seasoned communications leader (10+ years experience), with deep relationships across key media platforms, ideally with experience across both the tech and nonprofit or research sectors
- A natural storyteller who can distill complexity into clarity, and ambiguity into action
- Deeply attuned to the audience—able to shift tone, channel, and content depending on who needs to hear what
- A builder, not a maintainer—you’re excited by change and unafraid of rolling up your sleeves
- Experienced in brand building, media strategy, executive comms, crisis management, and content marketing
- Mission-driven and values-aligned—you care deeply about impact and integrity
What the job involves
- This is not a maintenance role. It’s a rebuild, a relaunch, and a reimagination
- As our Director of Comms, you will be the architect of our external voice and internal cohesion—responsible for shaping how the world sees us, hears us, and engages with us
- From media relations to thought leadership, from crisis comms to content strategy, you’ll lead a small, high-impact team and work cross-functionally to bring our mission to life in ways that resonate, inspire, and activate
- Own and evolve our brand narrative—clarifying our mission, values, and voice as we emerge into our next chapter
- Build and lead the communications strategy across all external channels: media, digital, social, and executive visibility
- Serve as chief storyteller—developing compelling content (and helping others do the same) that bridges the gap between complex research and public understanding
- Build, manage and mentor a small team of communications professionals and creative partners
- Support internal communications to ensure alignment, morale, and clarity across our 200-person org
- Establish clear metrics to evaluate the success and impact of communications efforts
Our take
23andMe offers its customers a vision into their ancestry and health through genetic testing carried out via kits sent through the mail. Results can show users their risk of more than 100 health conditions thanks to a tube of saliva at one end and a lot of technology at the other.
This access to genetic insight has helped the company sell more than 15 million test kits in the last 15 years. This remains the core component of the business. Access to millions of customers DNA however has given the company a vast collection of genetic material, allowing 23andMe to expanded into the drug development space where it is collaborating with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.
23andMe is not without competition, with other big names including Ancestry and MyHeritage. The company has faced challenges, from weak demand for kits and a failed subscription model to a data breach and bankruptcy. Still, its acquisition by Regeneron in 2025 gives it a fresh star and 23andMe will go on operating, contributing to medical research, while protecting user privacy.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
10% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 10 rounds)
Dec 2020
$82.5m
SERIES F
Jul 2018
$300m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Total funding: $802.9m
Company benefits
- Comprehensive health, vision, and dental plans
- Family planning, support, and leave for parents
- Mental healthcare
- Student loan assistance
- Flexible time off
- Dog friendly office
Company HQ
Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA
Leadership
Anne Wojcicki
(Founder & CEO)Anne studied Biology at Yale before working as a Healthcare Analyst for Investor AB, Ardsley Partners, Andor Capital, and Passport Capital for a combined 7 years. They leveraged this clinical experience to found 23andMe in 2006 and have served as the company's CEO since.
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