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. It works closely with the CEO on board and investor moments, with particular focus on the autonomous vehicle (AV) business. The role sets group-wide direction and standards, translating them into plans, policies, and playbooks for business-unit and market teams to execute. It provides guidance and governance across entities but does not have line authority over managing directors or business-unit leaders. Local teams retain execution ownership, while the Director owns messaging, the spokesperson programme, crisis protocols, and the internal communications framework. The role also influences market communications, the investor narrative in partnership with Capital/Finance, and brand campaigns in partnership with Marketing. Key outcomes during the first 6–12 months include establishing a US-ready corporate narrative and media profile, launching an internal communications strategy, and putting an enterprise crisis and issues framework into operation, including a leadership simulation. The position reports to the Chief Marketing Officer and works closely with the Office of the CEO team. It is based in the US and requires the ability to travel internationally.

Requirements

At least 12 years of experience in corporate communications, corporate affairs, or public affairs, including multi-country responsibility in regulated or complex markets.
Experience advising CEOs and boards and leading crisis response.
Experience designing internal communications strategy for a fast-scaling, multi-entity organisation.
Experience leading a small specialist team and working through matrixed, cross-functional partnerships.
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 execute in a lean team.
Ability to influence senior leaders and managing directors through credibility rather than hierarchy.
Calm, sound judgment in sensitive and time-critical situations; culturally aware communication; ability to build trust across markets and functions; high ownership, pace, and comfort with ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Series C+ or pre-IPO company, ideally supporting a US listing or public-company communications.
Track record in US media, policy, and stakeholder landscapes.
Exposure to AV, mobility, transport, or deep-tech regulation.
Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Set Moove’s communications and external affairs direction and translate it into plans, policies, and playbooks for business-unit and market teams.
Own the corporate communications strategy, narrative, and messaging architecture; lead media relations and thought leadership; and prepare the CEO and executives for external moments.
Develop the internal communications framework, leadership communications 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, prioritising US AV regulation; advise business-unit CEOs on market engagement and ensure compliant lobbying practices with Legal.
Partner with Capital/Finance and Legal on the investor narrative, disclosure cadence, board materials, and communications readiness for public-company standards.
Own crisis preparedness, monitoring, response, and after-action reviews; chair the crisis communications cell and train spokespeople.
Set communications policy and brand guardrails for group entities, define approval and escalation routes, and partner with Marketing while it retains campaign ownership.
Measure reputation, media quality, internal engagement, and crisis readiness, and report progress to the CEO and leadership.
Establish a US-ready corporate narrative, spokesperson programme, and Tier-1 media relationships to support IPO readiness.
Launch an internal communications strategy with clear frameworks, cadence, and channels across entities.
Implement an enterprise crisis and issues framework, including a board-ready playbook, escalation and spokesperson protocols, and at least one leadership-team simulation.