Marketing Manager

Description Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PDYN) is a U.S.-based defense and industrial technology company that delivers embodied AI-powered collaborative autonomy solutions, advanced avionics, precision-manufactured components, UAVs, and advanced aerospace design services. Role Summary We are looking for a Marketing Manager who thrives in a high-tempo, lean marketing environment. This is a new role on the Marketing Communications team, built for someone who can own strategy and execution across social media, events, and associations, while directing agency partners and freelance support. This role requires range and judgment. You will define strategy and own results for company social accounts on LinkedIn and X, lead events from field demonstrations to major trade show booths, oversee association memberships and marketing assets, and manage a budget. You will work directly with executives, external agencies, PR, and creative partners, and may direct the work of coordinators, contractors, or agency staff. This is a B2B, B2G marketing role for someone who understands enterprise and defense audiences and brings expertise and energy to everything from a social post to a PowerPoint deck. Key Responsibilities Social Media Own the social media strategy for Palladyne AI company accounts on LinkedIn and X, including content planning, copywriting, posting, engagement monitoring, and routing approvals, and direct any coordinators or agency support executing day-to-day content. Route social posts and notable comments through internal approval workflows and ensure timely publishing. Monitor brand mentions, flag relevant engagement opportunities to leadership, and report on social performance against goals. Events Management Own strategy, budget, and end-to-end logistics for marketing events ranging from field demonstrations and small activations to large trade show booths with significant budgets. Manage vendor relationships, booth production, promotional materials, shipping, and on‑site coordination. Research, recommend, and make final decisions on relevant industry events and conference opportunities aligned to defense and industrial sectors, in consultation with leadership. Associations and Sponsorships Own the evaluation and activation strategy for associations and sponsorships, including budget recommendations. Maintain a master tracking spreadsheet of industry associations, memberships, contract dates, costs, and renewal windows. Research new association opportunities and surface relevant member benefits, speaking opportunities, or sponsorship packages. PowerPoint and Presentation Support Maintain and update existing executive and board-level PowerPoint decks on a regular basis. Build new presentation decks from scratch based on briefs or rough content from leadership. Apply consistent formatting, brand standards, and clean design to all slides. Project and Traffic Management Lead project and traffic management for marketing programs and projects: manage priorities, track active projects, manage timelines, route creative and content through review cycles, and keep deliverables and any supporting staff or contractors on track. Establish, own, and continuously improve project management systems and processes that work for a lean team. Coordinate cross-functional reviews involving legal, leadership, IR, and external agencies as needed. Marketing Asset and Inventory Management Maintain organized inventory of printed materials, trade show assets, branded merchandise, and giveaways. Manage reorder cycles, vendor coordination, and storage logistics. Keep digital asset libraries organized and current. Creative and Production Handle light creative production tasks: resizing and formatting images for social, preparing files for print vendors, and basic asset preparation. Requirements 6 to 8 years of marketing, communications, or marketing operations experience, including experience operating at a manager level. Agency or in‑house corporate experience in a B2B and / or B2G environment, with a track record of owning strategy and budgets. Consumer or influencer-focused backgrounds are not a fit for this role. Demonstrated experience managing professional social media accounts for a B2B company, including LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Strong writing skills with the ability to produce clear, on-brand copy across platforms and formats. Proficiency in PowerPoint: deck maintenance, formatting, and building new presentations from scratch. Experience managing trade shows, conferences, or field events, including vendor and logistics management. Highly organized with strong project and traffic management instincts. Able to manage multiple workstreams and, where applicable, direct the work of coordinators, contractors, or agency partners without dropping the ball. Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop or equivalent creative tools for basic production tasks. Ability and willingness to travel domestically as needed to support events. Preferred Experience in defense, aerospace, industrial technology, or enterprise software marketing. Experience managing agency or vendor relationships, including budget ownership and performance accountability. Exposure to robotics, autonomy, or AI-related products or markets. Experience managing or mentoring junior staff, coordinators, or interns. What We Are Looking For The right candidate is operationally sharp, strategically minded, and comfortable in ambiguity. You do not wait to be told what needs to happen next. You manage up and, where needed, manage down; you communicate clearly, set direction for others, and own outcomes without constant oversight. You write clearly and concisely, take feedback well, and bring consistency and craft to everything you publish on behalf of the brand. You are the kind of person who builds the spreadsheet before anyone asks for it, notices when the trade show booth inventory is running low, and follows up. Benefits & Perks Competitive salary 401(k) with company match Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage Paid time off and company holidays Work Authorization & Clearance This position requires the ability to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. Depending on the nature of the work, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information relevant to clearance eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Fine Print No third-party candidates will be accepted. Palladyne AI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr