Field Communications Roles

Learn more about Field Communications roles, responsibilities and requirements.

The Field Communications function is part of the Revenue Operations team and is responsible for creating effective, timely, and easily consumable communications for the GitLab Field Team. The team’s charter is to help GitLab’s Field organization sell better, faster and smarter with communication programs that keep them better informed of organizational/business updates that impact their roles, as well as useful resources that will enable day-to-day work.

Levels

Associate Field Communications Specialist

The Field Communications Specialist reports to the Manager/Sr. Manager, Field Communications.

Associate Field Communications Specialist Job Grade

The Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate) is a grade 5.

Associate Field Communications Specialist Responsibilities

Copywriting and editing support for major Field Communications programs including the monthly newsletter and GitLab monthly release
Assist with the development of copy for Field announcements as a part of the Field Communications calendar
Maintain Field Update Tickers with messaging gathered through the Field announcement process
Provide insights and recommendations for process improvement to intermediate and senior Field Communications specialists
Monitor key communication channels for two-way feedback (i.e. Slack) and escalate high-priority items to senior team members as needed
Assist with the development of copy as well as provide logistical support for key in-person & virtual Field events such as Sales Kickoff and Quarterly Business Reviews.

Associate Field Communications Specialist Requirements

Experience in copywriting and editing
Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
Strong organizational abilities
Ability to continuously meet deadlines and execute on multiple projects at once
Excellent team player and ability to effectively collaborate with others and action on guidance from senior team members
Self-starter with strong problem solving abilities
Working knowledge of Google docs; photo and video-editing software is an asset
Willingness to learn new tools such as Staffbase (or a similar marketing/communications platform)
You share our values, and work in accordance with those values
Ability to use GitLab in day to day responsibilities

Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate)

The Field Communications Specialist reports to the Manager/Sr. Manager, Field Communications.

Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate) Job Grade

The Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate) is a grade 6.

Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate) Responsibilities

Manage effective field communication strategies and tactics including but not limited to newsletters, videos, memos, presentations, and more
Maintain regular communications programs including the monthly newsletter and support for the GitLab monthly release
Support the Field Communications announcement calendar, working with DRIs across the business to triage and plan for updates
Foster strong partnerships with cross functional teams such as Field Enablement, Product Marketing, and others for aligned content and communication delivery
Support senior team members where needed on company initiatives that impact the Field teams
Champion efforts to improve Field Communications via GitLab’s handbook-first approach to learning and development
Develop and implement a strategy for soliciting feedback from GitLab Field team members to inform communication priorities and requirements
Assist in communication of strategies or messages from senior leadership as needed
Take on additional projects and responsibilities as needed
Knowledge of the software development life cycle, DevOps, and/or open source software is preferred

Field Communications Specialist (Intermediate) Requirements

BS/BA in communications or relevant field
Experience in copywriting and editing
Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
Outstanding organizational and planning abilities
Excellent team player and ability to effectively collaborate with others
Strong project management skills and attention to detail needing minimal supervision
Working knowledge of Google docs; photo and video-editing software is an asset
Proven experience as a communications specialist, preferably with high-tech B2B sales audiences
Proven experience developing and executing effective sales newsletters is a huge plus
Experience with a marketing/communications platform (examples: Staffbase, Mailchimp) is preferred
Experience in web design and content creation is a plus
You share our values, and work in accordance with those values
Ability to use GitLab in day to day responsibilities

Senior Field Communications Specialist

The Senior Field Communications Specialist reports to the Manager/Sr. Manager, Field Communications.

Senior Field Communications Specialist Job Grade

The Senior Field Communications Specialist is a grade 7.

Senior Field COmmunications Specialist Responsibilities

Provide strategic communications advice to field leadership with change management, project management, and internal communications support for key revenue-impacting field initiatives
Own the Field Communications announcement calendar, working with DRIs across the business to triage and plan for updates
Foster strong partnerships with cross functional teams such as Field Enablement, Product Marketing, and others for aligned content and communication delivery
Support the communication deliverables for key field events including Sales Kick Off and Quarterly Business Reviews
Develop and manage effective communication strategies that improve transparency and efficiency across the entire field team
Lead a Sales Advocacy program and standardize feedback collection and response to more efficiently bring visibility to team member questions and blockers
Spearhead efforts to ensure field communications are aligned with expectations, rules, and industry/market regulations
Iterate on current field communication channels to improve accessibility and adoption across the field organization

Senior Requirements

BS/BA in communications or relevant field
Experience in copywriting and editing
Proven experience developing and executing effective communication strategies within a high-tech B2B sales environment
Change management experience (certification preferred)
Ability to work with senior sales leadership on communication needs
Impeccable communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
Outstanding organizational and planning abilities
Ability to maintain attention to detail, be an effective team player, meet project deadlines, and lead efforts across disciplines
Ability to plan, maintain good judgment and execute on multiple projects simultaneously in an organized manner
Strong project management skills and attention to detail needing minimal supervision
Working knowledge of Google docs; photo and video-editing software is an asset
Knowledge of the software development life cycle, DevOps, and/or open source software is preferred
You share our values, and work in accordance with those values
Ability to use GitLab in day to day responsibilities

Manager, Field Communications

The Manager, Field Communications reports to the Sr. Manager, Field Communications (if applicable) or the Vice President, Revenue Operations.

Manager, Field Communications Job Grade

The Manager, Field Communications is a grade 8.

Manager, Field Communications Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and develop Field Communications Specialist(s) responsible for managing and executing field communication tactics including QBRs, newsletters, videos, memos, presentations, and more
Serve as change management and communication expert for large, cross-functional company projects and initiatives, developing communication plans and enablement materials
Develop and manage effective communication strategies that improve transparency and efficiency across the entire Field team and with supporting functions
Build relationships with key internal business stakeholders and executives to keep Field Comms processes top-of-mind
Lead the planning and execution of multi-channel communications plans supporting key field events including Sales Kick Off, President’s Club and Quarterly Business Reviews
Run Field Recognition programs, including the Quarterly Achiever’s Chat, collaborating with the CEO, CRO and FOPS team members to support
Own the Field All Hands meeting landscape, including planning & organizing as well as iterating the cadence where necessary. Landscape includes WW Field Sales calls, Sales/Marketing/Product QBR & Recognition, All Field Manager calls and CRO Segment Manager Roundtables
Run the Field Operations Release process, working with stakeholders from across FOPS to coordinate timing for system/process changes and efficiently raise awareness of those changes with the Field team
Spearhead efforts to ensure field communications are aligned with expectations as well as industry-standard rules and regulations

Manager, Field Communications Requirements

Senior Specialist requirements, plus:
BS/BA in communications or relevant field
Experience in internal and/or executive communications
People management experience required
Sales or Field/Sales Operations experience is a plus
Expert in copywriting and editing
Proven experience developing and implementing effective communication strategies within a high-tech B2B sales environment
Strong executive presence and experience working with executive teams on communication initiatives and proposals
Experience with change management communication plans and content (change management certification preferred)
Experience with implementing and/or managing long term communications and enablement content platforms
Impeccable communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
Experience writing, proofing and editing leadership emails, slide decks, video scripts, articles, talking points and change communication updates
Excellent team player and ability to effectively collaborate with others
Strong project management skills and attention to detail needing minimal supervision
Working knowledge of Google docs; photo and video-editing software is an asset
Knowledge of the software development life cycle, DevOps, and/or open source software is preferred
You share our values, and work in accordance with those values
Ability to use GitLab in day to day responsibilities

Senior Manager, Field Communications

The Senior Manager, Field Communications reports to the Vice President, Revenue Operations.

Senior Manager, Field Communications Job Grade

The Senior Manager, Field Communications is a grade 9.

Senior Manager, Field Communications Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and develop Field Communications Manager, Field Content Program Managers, and Field Communications Specialists responsible for managing and executing robust Field Comms and Content programs.
Collaborate and iterate directly with CRO and the CRO leadership team to provide strategic communications guidance for key revenue-impacting field initiatives
Oversee the management and iteration of GitLab’s Sales content management system, ensuring CRO LT, field leaders, and field sellers plus key stakeholders are engaged and informed on the platform’s performance/ROI
Lead sales content and messaging initiatives that support proactive go-to-market activities as well as document internal sales processes for various customer segments and all routes to market
Champion efforts to define, maintain, and improve communication and alignment between Go-To-Market functions including Field, Marketing and Product teams
Actively support the planning and execution of key field events including but not limited to Sales Kick Off, President’s Club and Quarterly Business Reviews
Promote and oversee development and management of a cascading Field Comms strategy that begins with CRO LT and Field leaders.
Liaise with the Field Enablement Leadership Team to maintain an overarching view of asks for the Field team to monitor and mitigate team overload
Provide visibility to CRO Leadership, Field Operations, and other supporting functions across large GitLab initiatives that have large scale communications or content requirements

Senior Manager, Field Communications Requirements

BS/BA in communications or relevant field
Experience in internal and/or executive communications
People management experience required
Sales or Field/Sales Operations experience is a plus
Impeccable communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
Well-organized, hands-on, skilled at planning and time management
Ability to drive consensus across a diverse set of stakeholders, including executive leadership in Field Organization, Marketing, Product, and other functions.
Strong executive presence and experience working with executive teams on initiatives and proposals
Experience with designing a strategy plus implementing and/or managing long term communications and enablement content platforms
Proven experience developing and executing effective communication strategies within a high-tech B2B sales environment
Proactively proposes effective iterations to programs where efficiency gains are available and establishes solutions through creative methods
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with ability to build strong trusted relationships
Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a virtual and matrixed team environment across business areas to achieve common goals
Adapts in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment while accurately judging priorities and tracking all initiatives, projects, and details
Experience with change management communication plans and content (change management certification preferred)
Strong project management skills and attention to detail with the ability to execute on multiple projects simultaneously in an organized manner with minimal supervision
Knowledge of the software development life cycle, DevOps, and/or open source software is preferred
You share our values, and work in accordance with those values
Ability to use GitLab

Performance Indicators

Field communication/newsletter open and click-through rates
Field Comms & Content Pulse Survey response rates
- Results from benchmark questions related to the Field’s sentiment around feeling informed and enabled in their roles
Feedback from key stakeholders, including CRO LT and Field Leaders/Managers
Adoption metrics from sales asset management system, including recurring usage, average sessions and average time-in-platform
ROI metrics from sales asset management system and successfully tying ROI insights to sales content
Future performance indicators will include (but not be limited to) additional usage metrics, sales pitch tracking, pipeline generation, sales efficiency (time spent on comms) tracker and new hire productivity

Career Ladder

graph TD;
  A[Associate Field Communications Specialist] --> B[Field Communications Specialist];
  B --> C[Senior Field Communications]; C --> D[Manager, Field Communications]; D --> E[Senior Manager, Field Communications];

Hiring Process

Candidates for this position can expect the hiring process to follow the order below. Please keep in mind that candidates can be declined from the position at any stage of the process. To learn more about someone who may be conducting the interview, find their job title on our team page.

Qualified candidates will be invited to schedule a 30 minute screening call with one of our Global Recruiters.
Next, candidates will meet with members of the GitLab Field Operations team,
Then, candidates will meet with the Manager and/or Senior Manager of Field Communications,
Finally, candidates will meet with the VP of Field Operations.

Additional details about our process can be found on our hiring page.

About Gitlab

GitLab Inc. is a company based on the GitLab open-source project. GitLab is a community project to which over 2,200 people worldwide have contributed. We are an active participant in this community, trying to serve its needs and lead by example. We have one vision: everyone can contribute to all digital content, and our mission is to change all creative work from read-only to read-write so that everyone can contribute.

We value results, transparency, sharing, freedom, efficiency, self-learning, frugality, collaboration, directness, kindness, diversity, inclusion and belonging, boring solutions, and quirkiness. If these values match your personality, work ethic, and personal goals, we encourage you to visit our primer to learn more. Open source is our culture, our way of life, our story, and what makes us truly unique.

Top 10 Reasons to Work for GitLab:

Mission: Everyone can contribute
Results: Fast growth, ambitious vision
Flexible Work Hours: Plan your day so you are there for other people & have time for personal interests
Transparency: Over 2,000 webpages in GitLab handbook, GitLab Unfiltered YouTube channel
Iteration: Empower people to be effective & have an impact, Merge Request rate, We dogfood our own product, Directly responsible individuals
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: A focus on gender parity, Team Member Resource Groups, other initiatives
Collaboration: Kindness, saying thanks, intentionally organize informal communication, no ego
Total Rewards: Competitive market rates for compensation, Equity compensation, global benefits (inclusive of office equipment)
Work/Life Harmony: Flexible workday, Family and Friends days
Remote Done Right: One of the world's largest all-remote companies, prolific inventor of remote best practices

See our culture page for more!

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Last modified August 2, 2023: Fix markdown lint errors (78cb7eda)