Technical Communications & Storytelling Lead

Role Summary

Avalara is at an inflection point in how we evolve and scale our platform, products, and technical strategy. As the complexity of our architecture and the pace of innovation increase, the gap between what is being built and how it is understood—internally and externally—also grows. This role exists to close that gap.

Responsibilities

• Create alignment through narrative: Develop and own CTO-level narratives that clearly articulate technical strategy, platform direction, and product evolution, enabling faster and more effective decision-making
• Translate complexity into clarity: Convert complex technical concepts, architectures, and product capabilities into structured, accessible, and high-impact communications
• Enable executive communication: Produce presentations, written narratives, and talk tracks that elevate the quality and consistency of executive-level messaging
• Connect technology to impact: Frame technical work in terms of business value, customer outcomes, and strategic priorities
• Identify and close clarity gaps: Proactively surface inconsistencies, ambiguity, or misalignment in technical messaging and drive resolution
• Scale storytelling capability: Establish frameworks, templates, and best practices that elevate technical communication across teams
• Bridge technical and business audiences: Tailor messaging to engineers, executives, and external stakeholders without sacrificing accuracy or depth
• Increase velocity through tooling: Leverage AI and modern tools to accelerate synthesis, iteration, and delivery of high-quality content
• Partner with internal communication leaders: Ensure all messaging is consistent with communications developed and shared by other communications teams internally and externally

Qualifications

• Educational requirement: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Communications, or a related field
• Experience: 8–12 years of experience in engineering, technical product development, technical communications, or a related field
• Technical understanding: Strong understanding of how software systems and platforms are built, including architecture, APIs, and system design concepts
• Writing and storytelling skills: Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with a track record of simplifying complex topics without losing critical nuance
• Visual communication: Advanced PowerPoint and visual communication skills, with strong command of narrative structure and flow
• Executive support: Proven ability to support executive-level communications, including presentations and talk tracks for senior leaders
• Collaboration: Strong collaboration and influence skills across Engineering, Product, and executive teams
• AI experience: Experience using AI and AI-related technologies, ready to thrive here