Brand & Storytelling Lead

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 — board updates, investor narratives, op-eds, 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 — and 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 with contractors underneath you, not a peer team around you
• 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

What Kaizen Offers

Health & Insurance

• Comprehensive medical through Oxford/United — Gold and Platinum PPO plans, with 85% of premiums covered on the Platinum plan and a $0 employee premium option
• Dental through Guardian PPO and vision through Beam, with 99% of employee premiums covered and 50% for dependents
• $100,000 in fully paid life insurance
• FSA and Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) access through Guideline

Family & Time Off

• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents; 10 weeks fully paid for non-birthing parents
• Unlimited PTO, closed for all federal holidays, and company-wide winter break the week of Christmas

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 3x a week while in the office
• Company-provided laptop

Wellness

• Fully covered gym membership at Grindhouse — right across the street from our office at 47 W 17th St (and in Williamsburg); $225/month value
• For remote employees, $100/month dedicated to gym or physical fitness reimbursement
• $300/quarter pet care stipend

Stipends

• $100/month utility stipend
• $500/year professional development
• $250/year recreation