Communications Manager, Local & Launch Communications

Zipline; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline in Austin, TX is seeking a Communications Manager, Local & Launch Communications to lead in-market and launch communications end-to-end, building trust, excitement, and clear storytelling for new deployments.

You will partner with Operations, Government Relations, Marketing, and Design to craft messaging, manage media relations, develop talking points and visual content, and guide local teams through fast-moving launches.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of communications experience in-house, agency, media, or politics.
• Launch and local market experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to simplify complex topics and write crisply.

Responsibilities

• Own communications for in-market site and store launches, as the main contact for local and launch comms.
• Plan and execute integrated launch communications across media, digital, and visuals.
• Develop relationships with reporters, creators, and influencers.
• Lead story development, media outreach, and on-the-ground press moments.
• Coordinate with videographers and designers to produce high-quality content.
• Create press materials, talking points, FAQs, and reactive statements.
• Support launch events and media tours with strong storytelling.
• Provide communications counsel to Operations, Government Relations, Marketing, and Design.
• Monitor local issues and misinformation, respond quickly when needed.
• Plan events with shareable, viral potential and train local teams on messaging.
• Serve as Zipline spokesperson.

Skills

Communications leadership

Media relations

Crisp writing

Storytelling

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Content creation tools

Job description

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About You and The Role

Zipline is hiring a Communications Manager, Local & Launch Communications to serve as the primary communications lead for new market, store and site launches. This new role owns local and launch communications end-to-end — pre-launch through early and mature operations — and is the day-to-day point person for traditional media, new media, creators/influencers, and visual storytelling partners in new markets.

You will build trust and excitement in local communities, cultivate and shape Zipline’s reputation as we launch, and ensure every new deployment lands with clarity, credibility, and momentum. This role is ideal for a hands-on communications leader who thrives in fast-moving environments and knows how to turn complex operations into compelling local stories.

What You’ll Do

• Own communications for in market site and store launches, serving as the main point of contact for all local and launch-related comms.
• Plan and execute integrated launch communications across traditional media, digital and new media, and visual storytelling.
• Build and manage strong relationships with local, regional, and national reporters, creators/influencers, and YouTubers.
• Lead story development, media outreach, interviews, and on-the-ground press moments tied to launches and milestones.
• Partner with videographers, photographers, and designers to capture and deploy high-quality visual content from launches and operations.
• Develop core messaging and media materials including press releases, talking points, FAQs, reactive statements, blog posts, and video briefs.
• Support launch events, media tours, and community moments with a strong PR and storytelling lens.
• Provide clear, confident communications counsel to cross-functional partners including Operations, Government Relations, Community, Marketing, and Design.
• Monitor and manage local issues or misinformation, escalating and responding quickly when needed.
• Plan and execute events, with a sharable/viral lens to them.
• Train and advise local team members on communications and messaging
• Serve as a Zipline spokesperson

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years of communications experience in-house, agency, media, or politics; launch and local market experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success working directly with traditional media and emerging media, including creators and digital platforms. Past work experience with creators, influencers and new media is a plus.
• Strong news/viral judgment, crisp writing skills, and the ability to simplify complex topics.
• Experience managing visual storytelling projects and working closely with videographers, managing on-site video crews or content teams.
• Excellent attention to detail, project management and writing skills, paired with exceptional judgment and a strong understanding of the media landscape and/or local markets.
• High ownership mindset, excellent project management skills, and comfort operating independently as the local comms lead.
• Curiosity, creativity, and a passion for storytelling along with the ability to sniff out potential newshooks and stories.
• Prior success collaborating cross-functionally with diverse, globally distributed teams.
• Desire and ability to travel for work (approximately 35%)

You’ll Thrive in the Role If:

• You are comfortable working with the media and building relationships with them
• You’re a self-starter and collaborate well cross-functionally
• You like to work in fast-paced environments, are great at multitasking, and can go with the flow
• You are a good writer and have excellent attention to detail
• You are equal parts creative and strategic
• You are intellectually curious and a team player
• You are passionate and excited about Zipline’s mission, impact and products
• You’re comfortable as an "intrepreneur", look for ways to continuous improve and take ownership

What Else You Need To Know

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech.