OpenAI’s search for a chief communications officer hits 9 months after a top candidate turned down the role

Nearly five years ago, OpenAI's former chief communications officer Hannah Wong announced her departure in a January 2026 LinkedIn post. The role remains unfilled, despite the numerous crises the company has faced this year, including a controversial deal with the Pentagon, a legal battle with Elon Musk, and a hack of Hugging Face. OpenAI's reputation has suffered, and public trust in AI is declining.

The ideal candidate for the chief communications officer position would need to address OpenAI's numerous reputation challenges and help the company navigate a potential IPO. The role is highly competitive, with a small pool of eligible candidates willing to take on such a high-pressure, high-profile position. OpenAI recently enlisted the help of recruiting firm Daversa Partners to find the right person.

OpenAI is considering two options for the reporting structure of the chief communications officer role: making the person report directly to Greg Brockman, the company's president and co-founder, or placing them further down the chain, reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer. This uncertainty has added to the challenge of finding the right candidate. Bill Margaritis, a former FedEx communications leader, emphasized that the candidate needs sufficient authority to challenge senior leaders and help them assess risks.

The company has already made progress in filling related roles, with Josh King hired as Vice President of Communications to oversee financial communications and the IPO process. OpenAI has also retained the PR firm Brunswick Group to support King's efforts. While the role's seniority remains unclear, a seasoned CCO would be an essential component in managing the company's current challenges and building long-term strategies to prevent future crises.