Senior Manager, Media Relations

AeroVironment•Arlington, VA

2d•$116,500 - $177,500•Onsite

About The Position

AV is seeking a Senior Manager, Media Relations to support enterprise-level public relations, media engagement and external communications. This role will serve as a senior member of the communications team and will help drive proactive media opportunities, support major announcements, prepare executives and subject matter experts for engagement, and manage communications around key programs, events and business priorities. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, experienced media relations professional and confident operator who can work independently in a fast-paced defense and technology environment. This person should be comfortable traveling, building relationships with national and trade media, translating complex technical topics into clear narratives, and managing multiple communications efforts at once.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science or a related field.
8+ years of experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, public affairs or external communications.
Demonstrated experience working directly with reporters and securing earned media coverage.
Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
Experience preparing senior leaders for interviews and external engagements.
Ability to understand complex technical or policy issues and translate them for external audiences.
Strong judgment and ability to operate effectively in high-visibility or sensitive situations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with limited oversight.
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree in public relations, communications, or related field
Experience in defense, aerospace, national security, technology or government communications.
Existing relationships with national security, defense, aerospace, technology or financial media.
Experience supporting major trade shows, demonstrations or executive engagements.
Experience working in or with the Department of Defense, military services or defense industry.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day media relations efforts across AV business areas and enterprise priorities.
Plan, develop and execute proactive media strategies tied to company announcements, major programs, executive travel, trade shows and industry events.
Build and maintain relationships with national, defense, aerospace, technology, financial and trade media.
Identify opportunities for interviews, background engagements, briefings and other earned media.
Draft and edit press releases, media pitches, talking points, briefing materials, Q&As and executive messaging.
Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media interviews and public engagements.
Coordinate media activity around major announcements, demonstrations, customer events and industry conferences.
Respond to incoming media inquiries and coordinate internal subject matter experts as needed.
Work closely with business development, government relations, investor relations, marketing and business-unit leadership to ensure external communications are aligned.
Support crisis and rapid-response communications.
Monitor the broader news environment and identify opportunities for AV to participate in relevant conversations.
Travel as needed to support media engagements, events, demonstrations and executive activity.