External Communications Manager

Join Aquent, partnering with a pioneering autonomous driving technology company dedicated to revolutionizing mobility and saving lives. This is a unique opportunity to shape the narrative around groundbreaking safety innovations, directly influencing public understanding and trust in a technology poised to transform the world. As a vital communications leader, you will translate complex technical advancements into compelling stories, ensuring the life-saving benefits of autonomous driving are widely recognized and embraced by media, policymakers, and the public. Your work will be at the cutting edge of bringing fully autonomous driving to the world, bridging the gap between our internal safety experts and the outside world to accelerate understanding and adoption of this life-saving technology.

In this dynamic role, you will be instrumental in building and protecting the company's external reputation, driving measurable outcomes for our external communications program, and developing long-term strategic plans that align with overarching business goals. You will act as a subject-matter specialist within our external communications ecosystems, leveraging your expertise to build new processes and anticipate future issues. Your proficient knowledge of executive management, stakeholder management, and business acumen will empower you to coach executives on public relations and external communications, bringing the voice of the outside world to our strategies.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that highlight the company's safety approach, research papers, and real-world performance data.

* Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including safety, engineering, and legal, to align on messaging and distill complex technical methodologies into accessible content across various platforms (e.g., blogs, videos, social media, talking points, conference talks).

* Coordinate and facilitate media interviews, preparing key spokespeople with thorough briefing materials to ensure effective communication.

* Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with relevant reporters and influencers to proactively shape narratives and respond to inquiries.

* Manage external communications programs, overseeing the design and review of presentations, communications materials, and visuals for marketing and communications events.

* Support the protection of our external reputation among communities, media, and the general public, managing incidents, responses, and reactive issues, including crisis communications.

* Drive the development of high-quality communication plans and materials (e.g., emails, press releases, pitches, marketing copy, announcements, presentations, articles, social media content) to publicize and promote programs, facilities, events, or objectives amongst external audiences.

* Represent the communications perspective within cross-functional public affairs and business areas, acting as the voice of the outside world.

* Define and track measurement criteria to determine the effectiveness of external communications programs, using feedback and data to drive recommendations for continuous improvement.

* Act as a spokesperson for a business or product area when required.

* Manage external agencies by defining objectives, identifying key tasks, providing content, and establishing and monitoring budgets.

**Mandatory Skills & Qualifications:**

* 7+ years of experience in public relations, media relations, or communications.

* Exceptional storytelling and writing skills, with a strong ability to simplify complex technical topics for diverse audiences.

* Strong data analysis skills.

* Proficiency in crisis communications.

* Demonstrated expertise in executive management and coaching on public relations and external communications.

* Strong information synthesis and strategic communications capabilities.

* In-depth understanding of the external landscape and proven ability in external stakeholder management.

* High degree of agility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

* Solid understanding of industry trends and strong business acumen.

**Nice-to-Have Skills & Qualifications:**

* Experience working in a fast-paced technology startup environment.

* Familiarity with the autonomous vehicle industry and its surrounding regulations.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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