Staff External Communications Manager

Dallas, TX (Hybrid)

$115K/yr – $184K/yrSenior Level7+ years expFull time

Posted 2 weeks ago

Top 1% of applicants do these two things.

The other 99% submit and hope. You're about to do something different.

Job Summary

Own Texas media strategy and turn Aurora’s self-driving focus into proactive, credible coverage with key reporters and executive spokespeople.

  • Responsibilities: Build and manage the Texas media program, grow a reporter network, coordinate cross-functional messaging, and prep spokespeople for on-site media work.
  • Responsibilities: Lead visits, craft audience-tailored press materials, and align on announcements with ops, gov relations, and leadership to drive timely news.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Own Aurora's media strategy in Texas, developing and executing plans that drive proactive coverage and build long-term credibility with regional and national press.
  • Cultivate and maintain a robust network of regional and national reporters covering transportation, technology, business, and policy.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for media visits in Texas, delivering an excellent reporter experience — responsive, informed, and ahead of the story.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders across communications, government relations, marketing, operations, and executive leadership to develop announcements, messaging, and timing.
  • Prepare and support Aurora spokespeople for media interviews, press events, and on-site engagements in Texas.
  • Develop media materials including press releases, briefing documents, Q&As, and talking points tailored to specific audiences.

Requirements

  • 7+ years of communications – either at an agency or inhouse – with a track record of driving earned coverage in high-stakes environments
  • Deep familiarity and passion for media relations with a network of established relationships with reporters covering business, technology, transportation, or related beats
  • Experience serving or acting as a company spokesperson, working with and media training C-Level executives
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex, technical topics into clear and compelling narratives
  • Experience working cross-functionally to align on announcements and manage multi-stakeholder communications processes

Preferred

  • Experience in autonomous vehicles, transportation, logistics, or technology
  • Captivated by self-driving technology and its potential to transform how goods move
  • Crisis communications experience in a high-scrutiny industry

Benefits

  • annual bonus
  • equity compensation
  • benefits
Aurora logo

Aurora

3.8 Glassdoor

Aurora (Nasdaq: AUR) is delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly to make transportation safer, more reliable, and more efficient than ever before. The Aurora Driver is a self-driving system, initially designed to operate freight-hauling trucks. Aurora is partnering with industry leaders across the freight and logistics ecosystem, including FedEx, Volvo Trucks, PACCAR, Uber Freight, Werner, Schneider, and Ryder. For Aurora’s latest news, visit aurora.tech.

Founded in 2017
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
2.3K employees (66 in marketing)
67% recommend to a friend
90% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
111K
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$102.8K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
28%
Direct
59.6%
Referral
8.2%
Social
3.7%
Paid
0.4%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~2.4K

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
39 (2% of company)
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
1

Funding

Total Funding
$4.2B
Last Raise
$483M
Post IPO Equity, 2 years ago

Funding History

  • Aug 2024
    Post IPO Equity • $483M
  • Jul 2023
    Post IPO Equity • $820M
  • Nov 2021
    Post IPO Equity • $1.8B

Recent News