Director of Communications & External Affairs

Moove•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Director of Communications & External Affairs sets Moove’s internal and external communications strategy as the company prepares for US IPO readiness. The role owns the corporate narrative, media and executive communications, public and government affairs, crisis readiness, and internal communications strategy, with a strong focus on the autonomous vehicle (AV) business. It works closely with the CEO on board and investor moments and reports directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, while also working closely with the Office of the CEO team. The Director sets direction and standards and translates them into plans, policies, governance, playbooks, and guidance for business-unit and market teams. Local execution remains with those teams; the role influences rather than owns local market communications, investor disclosures, and marketing campaigns. Its reach is group-wide across entities, with primary focus on the AV business and US market, and it operates through a small specialist team and cross-functional partnerships rather than line authority over managing directors or business-unit leaders. Key outcomes during the first 6–12 months include establishing a US-ready corporate narrative, messaging architecture, spokesperson program, and Tier-1 media relationships; launching an internal communications framework with clear cadence and channels across entities; and implementing an enterprise crisis and issues framework, including a board-ready playbook, escalation and spokesperson protocols, and a leadership simulation. The role also establishes communications policies and brand guardrails for group entities, works with Capital/Finance and Legal on investor narrative, disclosure cadence, and board materials, and prepares the communications function for public-company standards. It tracks reputation, media quality, internal engagement, and crisis readiness, and reports progress to the CEO and leadership. Moove describes its team as collaborative, positive, curious, and engaged. The company states its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity and says its approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered during recruitment.

Requirements

12 or more years of experience in corporate communications, corporate affairs, or public affairs, including multi-country responsibility in regulated or complex markets.
Experience in a Series C+ or pre-IPO company; experience supporting a US listing or public-company communications is preferred.
Track record in US media, policy, and stakeholder landscapes.
Experience designing internal communications strategy for a fast-scaling, multi-entity organization.
Experience advising CEOs and boards and leading crisis response.
Experience leading a small specialist team and working through matrixed, cross-functional partners.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, Business, Law, International Relations, or a related field.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and credibility as a media spokesperson.
Strong stakeholder mapping, issues management, and risk assessment skills.
Data-driven approach to measuring reputation and engagement.
Based in the US and able to travel internationally.
Strategic and hands-on approach, including willingness to do the work in a lean team.
Ability to influence senior leaders and managing directors without formal authority.
Sound judgment in sensitive and time-critical situations.
Culturally aware communication style and ability to build trust across markets and functions.
High ownership, pace, and comfort with ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Exposure to AV, mobility, transport, or deep-tech regulation.
Experience supporting a US listing or public-company communications.

Responsibilities

Own the corporate communications strategy, narrative, and messaging architecture.
Lead media relations and thought leadership, and prepare the CEO and executives for key external moments.
Define the internal communications framework, leadership communication cadence, and approach to all-hands and change communications; partner with People and leadership to align internal and external messages.
Build relationships with regulators, policymakers, and industry bodies, prioritizing US AV regulation; advise business-unit CEOs on market-level engagement and work with Legal to ensure compliant lobbying practices.
Partner with Capital/Finance and Legal on the investor narrative, disclosure cadence, and board materials, and prepare the communications function for public-company standards.
Own crisis preparedness, monitoring, response, and after-action reviews; chair the crisis communications cell and train spokespeople.
Set communications policies and brand guardrails for entities, define approval and escalation routes, and partner with Marketing while campaign ownership remains with Marketing.
Track reputation, media quality, internal engagement, and crisis readiness, and report progress to the CEO and leadership.
Guide business-unit and market teams through governance, policies, playbooks, and partnership while local execution remains with those teams.
Establish a US-ready corporate narrative and media profile, launch an internal communications strategy, and implement an enterprise crisis and issues framework.