Chief External Affairs Officer

Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation • Washington, DC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) is an executive who shapes and drives ClearPath’s external affairs strategy, master narrative, storytelling, and brand credibility. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CEAO provides strategic vision and leadership across the enterprise, with ownership over communications, marketing, media relations, polling and message testing, key partnerships, and events.

The CEAO ensures ClearPath is consistently viewed as the leading conservative voice on energy, technological innovation, and limited government policy ideas that catalyze American energy security, innovation, geopolitical competitiveness, and emissions reductions. The enterprise's best-in-class external affairs function drives measurable policy outcomes, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and elevates ClearPath’s visibility across Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch, key state leaders, industry, and media.

This role delivers measurable results by owning and driving ClearPath’s external narrative — shaping the conservative conversation on energy and innovation and advancing policy outcomes. It oversees execution through a high-performing team and ensures external affairs efforts remain innovative, data-driven, and aligned with organizational strategy, leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance targeting, messaging, and impact. A successful CEAO is a strategist, capable of advancing short-term priorities while driving long-term organizational strategy; a strong people leader and mentor who invests in talent and empowers teams to succeed; and a brand champion who continuously explores new tools, platforms, and approaches to elevate our mission, advance our agenda, and expand our reach across the country.

Requirements

• 15+ years of senior-level experience in communications, public affairs, political communications, campaigns, or related fields, with experience operating at the executive or enterprise level.
• Demonstrated success shaping narratives and executing communications strategies that drive policy and reputational outcomes in complex, high-stakes environments.
• Deep, established relationships with national and trade media, Capitol Hill, Administration stakeholders, and/or industry partners; credibility operating within the conservative policy ecosystem strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of federal policy-making and political dynamics, with the ability to navigate fast-moving legislative environments.
• Proven track record as a strong people leader, with experience building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Experience serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, with sound judgment in high-visibility and time-sensitive situations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy and technical concepts into clear, compelling messaging.
• Fluency in modern communications and digital strategy, with an AI-forward approach across portfolios leveraging AI as a core driver of strategy.
• Experience engaging with enterprise stakeholders, including corporate partners, coalitions, and external organizations, to advance strategic and policy objectives.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ability and willingness to work nontraditional hours and travel up to 15%.

Nice To Haves

• Energy sector exposure preferred but not required.
• Credibility operating within the conservative policy ecosystem strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, reporting to the CEO, and play a central role in shaping ClearPath’s enterprise strategy, policy priorities, and long-term positioning.
• Develop and lead an integrated external affairs strategy — aligning communications, stakeholder engagement, marketing, and external programming to drive policy outcomes and organizational influence.
• Ensure external affairs operates as a fully integrated enterprise function, reinforcing and informing strategy across policy, government affairs, and organizational leadership.
• Partner closely with the CEO, Chief of Staff, Government Affairs, Policy, and Operations to ensure messaging and outreach are aligned with enterprise priorities and responsive to legislative and political dynamics, particularly within the Conservative policy ecosystem.
• Establish clear KPIs and performance benchmarks, ensuring execution, continuous innovation, and measurable impact.
• Serve as a senior steward of ClearPath’s reputation, owning strategic and real-time decision-making in high-visibility and time-sensitive moments.
• Lead engagement with key enterprise stakeholders — including partners, coalition organizations, and aligned advocacy groups — working in close partnership with the policy team to support coalition priorities, mobilize external affairs functions, and expand ClearPath’s reach and influence across the broader policy and political ecosystem.
• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing External Affairs team, setting a clear vision for excellence, accountability, and growth.
• Serve as a strong people leader, investing deeply in talent development — coaching staff, empowering emerging leaders, and fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, and high standards.
• Provide consistent feedback, professional development, and strategic guidance to ensure the team operates at a high level in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
• Build and refine systems, workflows, and operating cadence that enable high-quality execution at speed.
• Ensure strong cross-functional collaboration with Government Affairs, Policy, and Operations teams.
• Serve as ClearPath’s chief storyteller and brand architect — owning and advancing a cohesive, enterprise-wide narrative that strengthens influence across policymakers, media, industry leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Act as a visible external representative of ClearPath, engaging with media, partners, and stakeholders to elevate the organization’s voice and credibility, especially within conservative circles.
• Refine and operationalize ClearPath’s master narrative, translating complex policy and technology priorities into clear, compelling, and persuasive communications.
• Lead a modern, multi-channel communications strategy across earned, owned, and paid media — using data and analytics, and integrating AI into workflows to improve targeting, sharpen messaging, and maximize impact.
• Advise on the development of high-impact content and campaigns, including press, digital media, executive communications, and thought leadership.
• Provide executive-level guidance on spokesperson strategy, media engagement, and rapid response positioning. Serve as on-the-record spokesperson for ClearPath enterprise.
• Advise on ClearPath’s stakeholder engagement, coalitions, and external programming strategy — reinforcing ClearPath’s brand and advancing strategic priorities at every touchpoint.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Retirement Benefit offering an employer matching contribution of employee contributions $1 for $1 on the first 5% of pay you contribute
• No vacation policy - take what you need whenever workflow and coverage allows, with manager approval
• Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated office on Capitol Hill

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive