Senior Manager - External Communications

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Job Description:

Job Summary:

The External Communications Senior Manager drives Airbus' external communication and media relations strategy in the U.S., ensuring the company's communications resonate with key audiences. The role combines strategic communications, media relations, storytelling and issues management with supplier and stakeholder engagement, while ensuring all initiatives deliver measurable impact and supports the company's Brand positioning in the region.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead External Communications Strategy for Airbus Commercial in the U.S (50%)

• Develop and implement strategic external communications plans to support Airbus Commercial priorities in the U.S.

• Coordinate communications efforts across teams and business functions to support product visibility, positioning and customer engagement.

• Advise senior leadership on message development, tactics and channel mix to engage key audiences.

• Manage planning, execution and budgets for strategic campaigns, ensuring consistency with global narratives and adaptation to U.S. audiences.

• Collaborating across business units to execute campaigns in line with Airbus' "One Voice" approach.

• Lead 360 communications plans for strategic projects within the North American Communications Team.

• Collaborate Track and report on communications performance using analytics and reporting tools to inform data-driven decisions.

• Apply a full range of communications tools, including earned media, paid content and digital channels to reach key Airbus audiences.

Drive Media Relations Strategy in the Americas (25%)

• Develop and implement targeted media relations campaigns in close coordination with the Head of Content for North America.

• Build and sustain strong relationships with journalists, editors, influencers and key media outlets, proactively pitching stories that support Airbus' business priorities.

• Coordinate with global and regional media teams across all business units to ensure storytelling consistency.

• Develop reactive position statements and serve as company media spokesperson as required.

• Support crisis communications and issues management planning

• Support management of public relations agencies to deliver on external communications and media relations objectives.

Drive Communications for Supplier Engagement & Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• Liaise with Airbus customer, industry communications and media relations focal points

• Develop and implement external communications strategies supporting Airbus' supplier and stakeholder engagement to reinforce the company's reputation among key audiences in the U.S.

• Partner with Procurement, Government Relations, Sales and Marketing to shape storytelling elements and key messages that highlights Airbus' market leadership, industrial footprint, strategic partnerships and economic impact in the U.S.

• Ensure supplier and stakeholder engagement stories are embedded into Airbus' broader brand, reputation and thought leadership efforts in the U.S. market.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field (Master's degree is a plus).

Experience:

• 7+ years of relevant experience in communications, media relations or public relations is required.

• Experience in North American environments is required

• Experience in aerospace/defense experience and in a global and matrixed organization is preferred.

• Demonstrated results working with senior executives, peers and cross-functional teams.

Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, including news releases, speechwriting, web content and social media copywriting.

• Excellent spoken and written American English.

• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.

• Solid understanding of multi-channel content strategy and digital platforms, ensuring consistent messaging across all.

• Ability to identify and apply innovative ways to reach and engage diverse audiences, particularly through digital platforms.

• Demonstrated knowledge of content analytics tools and current trends in digital content and media formats.

• Familiarity with video production, content management systems and digital asset management tools, with experience maintaining content governance standards.

• Proven project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and cross-functional coordination.

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels and across cultures.

• Travel Required: 10-15% Domestic and International

• Citizenship: Able to work in US without current or future need for visa sponsorship

• Clearance: None

• Analyze internal and external factors, including strategic business priorities and the effectiveness of communications initiatives, to guide decision-making on priorities and success metrics.

• Allocate resources to communications efforts based on strategic prioritization of opportunities and enterprise needs.

• Apply critical judgment in providing counsel to senior Airbus executives and regional leadership.

• Respond to on-the-record media queries, crafting real-time responses that adhere to company lines-to-take and authorized areas of responsibility.

• Incorporate key messages into communications while staying within approved limits.

• Recommend communications activities and positions for leadership to adopt.

• Reports directly to the Head of Content and is part of the Airbus North America Communications team. In addition, the position has a strong operational relationship with global, regional and national press teams across Airbus.

• Based in Herndon, VA

• Is this a people manager? No

  • of Exempt Reports: 0

  • of Non-exempt Reports: 0

• Drives External Communications strategy for Airbus in North America, ensuring a consistent brand voice across all channels.

• Directly contributes to Airbus' brand reputation and employee engagement by delivering high-quality content to customers and media audiences.

• Manages a network of external contributors (including agencies) and is responsible for planning and delivering content for key campaigns and corporate initiatives.

• Maintains content quality standards and messaging consistency and for measuring the effectiveness of communications initiatives against communications goals.

• Works within an allocated content budget and ensures efficient use of resources for content development.

• Daily interaction with internal stakeholders, including senior executives and cross-functional teams to gather information and align on content objectives.

• Regular collaboration with Airbus Communications colleagues globally (particularly in Europe) to coordinate messaging.

• Manages relationships with external partners to manage content creation as needed (external, suppliers and customers).

• Represents the content function in meetings and presentations, requiring clear, persuasive communication and strong influencing skills when discussing communication strategies.

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: Approximately 60% onsite presence in the Herndon, VA office and 40% remote work per Airbus policy.

• Vision: Able to see and read computer screens and printed materials and to review graphic/video content daily.

• Hearing: Able to hear and participate in conversations in person and via phone/videoconference daily.

• Speaking: Able to speak clearly in meetings and presentations and to communicate information to groups on a daily basis.

• Equipment Operation: Able to operate standard office equipment (computer, phone, videoconferencing) as part of daily duties.

• Carrying: Able to carry light materials such as a laptop, documents, or promotional items occasionally.

• Lifting: Able to lift office materials or equipment occasionally as required.

• Pushing/Pulling: Able to push or pull minor office furniture or equipment (e.g., chairs, display stands) occasionally.

• Sitting: Able to sit for extended periods (e.g. at a desk or in meetings) on a daily basis.
  Standing/Walking: Able to stand during presentations or events and walk within office and event facilities.

• Travel: Able to travel domestically and internationally, up to approximately two weeks of the time and on short notice when required.

• Personal Protective Equipment: Not typically required in an office setting. Must be able to comply with all safety requirements (e.g., safety shoes, glasses,...) when visiting Airbus production sites or events where such equipment is necessary.

Equal Opportunity:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status

As a leader in our field, Airbus provides relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

NOTE: Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.

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