Senior Communications Manager, Australia (R6089)

About the role

Responsibilities

• Own and grow Shield AI's earned-media footprint in Australia, building trusted relationships with defence, aerospace, national-security, technology, business and policy journalists.
• Develop and execute proactive media strategies tied to product and technology milestones, customer and partner activity, local engineering and workforce developments, and major defence exhibitions and events.
• Identify and create high-quality opportunities for Shield AI executives, technical leaders and subject-matter experts to participate in interviews, briefings, contributed articles and other earned speaking engagements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for Australian media inquiries, coordinating sensitive, reactive and issues communications with regional and global teams.
• Prepare spokespeople for interviews, media briefings and public engagements; manage press logistics and on-site media operations.
• Monitor news, defence-policy developments, industry trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities, risks and emerging narratives relevant to Shield AI.
• Develop and edit Australia-focused communications materials, including press releases, bylines, executive talking points, speeches, briefing documents, media pitches, customer-safe case studies and internal communications.
• Build a repeatable local storytelling pipeline around Australian engineering, mission autonomy, AI-enabled sensing, resilient ISR, trusted local capability and allied interoperability.
• Translate complex technical concepts into concise, accurate and compelling narratives for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Localise global Shield AI messaging for Australian stakeholder priorities and public-policy context while maintaining consistency with the core brand and mission.
• Work with technical, programme, business-development and government-relations colleagues to validate claims, capture proof points and ensure disciplined external messaging.
• Shape and protect Shield AI's reputation as a credible, consistent and long-term contributor to Australia's defence and national-security ecosystem.
• Build a sustained drumbeat of earned visibility that demonstrates Shield AI's commitment to Australia through local talent, engineering, technology development and collaboration with Australian industry and defence stakeholders.
• Help differentiate Shield AI's local capability and technology leadership in a competitive discussion around sovereign autonomy, AI, sensing and future warfare.
• Anticipate and help manage narrative risk, including questions related to foreign ownership, sovereign capability, defence procurement, AI assurance and geopolitical sensitivities.
• Partner closely with Australia business development and government relations teams to ensure communications activity supports stakeholder engagement while maintaining appropriate independence and credibility with media.
• Lead communications planning and execution for priority Australian events, including Land Forces, Avalon Airshow and other relevant defence, aerospace, technology and policy engagements.
• Develop integrated event communications plans covering narrative development, media targets, executive programmes, press materials, interview scheduling, on-site management and post-event follow-up.
• Coordinate with the Asia and Middle East regional team on overlapping executive visits, partner announcements and major communications moments.
• Manage external agencies, freelancers and suppliers where appropriate, setting clear scopes, standards, reporting and performance expectations.
• Travel within Australia and periodically across the Asia-Pacific region as business needs require.

Requirements

• 8+ years of communications experience, including meaningful experience in defence, aerospace, national security, government, technology or other complex B2G sectors. A mix of in-house and agency experience is welcome.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, international relations, marketing or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong track record of securing high-quality earned media coverage in Australia, with established relationships across relevant defence, aerospace, business, technology and/or policy media.
• Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies and executing programmes around major announcements, partnerships, events and executive visibility.· Exceptional written and verbal storytelling skills, sound editorial judgement and close attention to detail.
• Experience drafting and editing press releases, media materials, executive briefing documents, speeches, talking points and thought-leadership content.
• Familiarity with Australian defence-industry dynamics, government and stakeholder sensitivities, and public discussions around sovereign capability, advanced technology and national security.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts accurately for non-technical and technical audiences alike.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for brand enhancement while assessing potential reputational and issues risks.
• Experience working across cross-functional and cross-cultural teams, including technical leaders, business development, government relations, external partners and senior executives.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and manage multiple projects, deadlines and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in AI, autonomy, uncrewed systems, sensing and defence technology.