External Communications Lead

Spirit Electronics•Phoenix, AZ

25d

About The Position

The External Communications Lead will lead all external communications, media relations, and CEO visibility initiatives. This is a strategic role that bridges media/PR execution with thought leadership positioning and narrative architecture in the aerospace/defense sector, serving as the primary communications strategist for the organization. The successful candidate will be a strategic storyteller, identifying high-impact opportunities, developing compelling narratives around Spirit's capabilities and market position, and pursuing targeted relationships with media, industry analysts, and strategic partners, including line card suppliers. The position reports directly to the Senior Director of Marketing.

Requirements

5-10 years PR/communications/media relations experience (any industry)
2+ years recent aerospace/defense, defense contracting, space, or highly regulated sector experience
Demonstrated success securing executive media placements and speaking opportunities
Relationship builder: Track record of establishing and maintaining strong connections with journalists, analysts, industry influencers, and strategic partners
Strategic communicator: Ability to develop compelling narratives and positioning that resonate with diverse audiences
Excellent writing ability across multiple formats: positioning documents, thought leadership pieces, and media materials
Self-directed in identifying emerging opportunities and proactively pursuing high-impact placements before saturation
Aggressive in pitching and closing placements with media, analysts, and strategic partners
Strategic thinking: Ability to evaluate opportunities, recommend positioning, and make disciplined decisions
Comfort with technical/complex messaging: Ability to translate specialized aerospace/defense capabilities into compelling market narratives
Bachelor's degree in Communications, PR, Marketing, Journalism, or related field

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships with aerospace/defense media, analysts, or industry organizations
New space sector experience (commercial space, LEO, launch providers, space tech)
Background in aerospace OEM, defense contractor, or aerospace supplier communications
CEO/C-suite communications experience
Experience pitching co-marketing or strategic partnership initiatives to suppliers or vendors

Responsibilities

Identify and pursue targeted media opportunities, journalists, and publications covering new space and new defense sectors
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key industry journalists, analysts, and conference organizers in aerospace/defense
Respond to media inquiries with accuracy and speed
Pitch compelling story angles that position Spirit's advanced capabilities and market relevance to media contacts
Identify, pitch, and secure CEO/leadership speaking opportunities, panel discussions, and thought leadership placements
Work with senior management to develop executive positioning strategy, talking points, and compelling narratives aligned with Spirit's market positioning and competitive differentiation
Identify marketing and business development contacts at key supplier companies and initiate strategic co-marketing conversations
Evaluate emerging opportunities and industry landscape shifts to recommend high-impact positioning and partnership initiatives
Serve as strategic advisor to leadership on media, analyst, and partnership opportunities and market positioning

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