Marketing Manager

Marketing Manager

XStar Aviation is seeking a motivated, multi-faceted Marketing Manager to build and manage foundational marketing and communications systems that support the company's mission to enhance aircrew readiness through innovative, mission-focused training solutions. This role is ideal for a creative storyteller with operational discipline who can own XStar Aviation's digital presence, develop brand standards, coordinate visual assets, support strategic and crisis communications planning, and partner closely with leadership to communicate the company's value to defense, aviation, government, and internal stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and maintain a strategic and crisis communications framework and PR playbook for future news releases, sensitive announcements, early information disclosures, partner or subcontractor communications risks, and public perception concerns related to XStar Aviation programs.
• Coordinate with the government and supporting contractors on new releases and public affairs activities.
• Manage website content, page updates, news items, landing pages, and basic content governance to keep XStar Aviation's digital presence current and mission-aligned.
• Develop and execute LinkedIn and social media strategy, including editorial calendars, post drafting, leadership coordination, publishing, and engagement tracking.
• Design, organize, and maintain internal SharePoint architecture to support document access, team communications, onboarding resources, and brand consistency.
• Create team member profiles, executive bios, people stories, program highlights, and stakeholder-facing narratives that communicate XStar Aviation's expertise and culture.
• Coordinate photography, video, and other visual assets, including planning, vendor coordination, release tracking, file organization, and usage standards.
• Develop and maintain brand standards documentation, templates, messaging guides, and reusable communications materials.
• Draft newsletters, internal announcements, leadership updates, and stakeholder communications in coordination with company leadership.
• Curate and manage a visual asset library, ensuring materials are accurate, accessible, properly categorized, and appropriate for intended use.
• Handle sensitive, controlled, or FOUO information appropriately and coordinate review of communications when needed.

Competencies:

• Outstanding external public affairs and internal communication skills.
• Understanding of government and commercial engagement.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and message development skills.
• Ability to translate technical, aviation, defense, and operational concepts into clear communications for varied audiences.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, and discretion with sensitive information.
• Crisis communications judgment, including the ability to anticipate reputational risk, coordinate leadership-approved response posture, and prepare clear messaging for sensitive or time-critical situations.
• Visual sensibility and ability to create clean, professional layouts and templates.
• Self-starter mindset with comfort building systems, processes, and standards in a startup or scale-up environment.
• Collaborative communication style with the ability to work cross-functionally with leadership, operations, HR, legal, and technical teams.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 36 years of experience in marketing, communications, digital media, content management, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing website content through CMS platforms such as Squarespace or WordPress.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint structure, permissions, libraries, and basic site management.
• Basic design capability using tools such as Canva, Adobe Express, or similar platforms.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience supporting executive communications, public affairs coordination, internal communications, or stakeholder engagement, especially within government.
• Experience in defense, aviation, government contracting, flight training, or national security-related environments.
• Working knowledge of brand development, content governance, asset management, and communications approval workflows.
• Experience developing public relations playbooks, crisis response plans, media holding statements, release approval processes, or partner communications protocols.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role does not initially have direct supervisory responsibilities. As the function matures, the role may coordinate contractors, vendors, creative support, or future communications staff.

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

Primarily remote with some travel requirements. Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods and coordinate occasional on-site photography, video, or stakeholder communications activities.

Travel Required:

Less than 10%, as needed for company events, site visits, content capture, or stakeholder engagement.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

XSTAR Aviation is an equal opportunity employer committed to equal opportunity in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.