Sr. Manager, Public Relations and Communications

This is an opportunity to build and lead a public relations function from the ground up at a pivotal stage of company growth. As the first dedicated PR leader, you will shape external communications, strengthen brand credibility, and establish a distinctive voice across the automotive technology industry. You will own earned media strategy, executive thought leadership, strategic partnerships, and high-profile event communications. With an emphasis on AI-driven discovery and generative engine optimization (GEO), you will help ensure the brand earns visibility and authority across both traditional media and AI-generated answers. Working closely with senior executives and cross-functional teams, you will turn product innovation, industry expertise, and community impact into compelling stories. This high-impact individual contributor role offers the autonomy to build scalable programs, influence business strategy, and potentially grow a team over time.

The ideal candidate is a strategic communications professional with a strong track record of building programs, influencing executive narratives, and delivering measurable results. You are a confident writer and relationship builder who combines traditional PR expertise with a practical understanding of AI-driven discovery. Qualifications include:

• At least 8 years of experience in public relations, communications, or a closely related field, including ownership of a program or function.

• Demonstrated experience building and managing an executive visibility or thought leadership program from strategy and platform development through execution and measurement.

• Strong expertise in executive communications, thought leadership development, and leadership positioning.

• Experience in B2B, SaaS, or technology communications, ideally within an industry-specific market serving field-based or non-desk audiences.

• Hands-on familiarity with AI-powered workflows and experience testing or measuring brand visibility in large language models.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills, including the ability to produce media pitches, press releases, opinion pieces, executive talking points, and social content.

• Strong executive presence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach senior leaders, provide constructive feedback, and establish trust with C-suite stakeholders.

• A builder's mindset, with the ability to work independently in an evolving environment, make strategic decisions, and establish priorities without a predefined roadmap.

• Experience collaborating across departments, particularly with Product, Sales, and executive leadership.

• Experience managing media sponsorships, event media partnerships, or conference PR strategy.

• Experience managing or mentoring colleagues, or a clear interest in developing leadership capabilities and building a team as the function expands.

• Curiosity about how AI-powered search is changing information discovery, and a willingness to experiment with content strategies that build visibility and trust.

• Experience marketing to field-based, non-desk, or trade audiences, particularly in skilled trades or local service industries.

• Familiarity with PR platforms such as Meltwater, Muck Rack, or Cision.

• Experience with emerging tools for tracking AI visibility, brand citations, and presence in AI-generated responses.