Senior Media Relations Leader — Defense & Tech

AeroVironment, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager, Media Relations to lead enterprise-level public relations, media engagement, and external communications.

This role will help drive proactive media opportunities, support major announcements, and prepare executives for engagements in a fast-paced defense/technology environment. The ideal candidate is a strong writer who can translate complex technical topics for national and trade media, manage multiple communications efforts, and travel to

Qualifications

• 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.

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&A and executive messaging.
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media interviews and public engagements.
• Coordinate media activity around major announcements, demonstrations and executive activity.
• 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.

Skills

Media relations

Executive briefing

Writing/editing

Strategic planning

Crisis communications

Public speaking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, or related field

Masters Degree in public relations, communications, or related field

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager, Media Relations to lead enterprise-level public relations, media engagement, and external communications.

This role will help drive proactive media opportunities, support major announcements, and prepare executives for engagements in a fast-paced defense/technology environment. The ideal candidate is a strong writer who can translate complex technical topics for national and trade media, manage multiple communications efforts, and travel to