Director of Communications (Arlington)

Director of Communications

Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing uncrewed systems and robotics, represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries across industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work across the defense, civil, and commercial sectors.

We are proud to be the leading trade association serving the growing autonomous vehicle industry, including drones, automated and remotely operated ground and maritime vehicles, and their related components and systems.

Why Join AUVSI

Drones, robots, automated vehicles, and more: Be part of the technology revolution in one of today's most dynamic industries!

As the Director of Communications , you'll play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting AUVSI's public voice in Washington, D.C., and beyond. You'll lead our media relations, executive positioning, public affairs messaging, and crisis communications while helping influence the national conversation surrounding uncrewed systems, autonomy, and emerging technologies.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic communications leader who knows how to turn complex policy issues into compelling public narratives, build influential media relationships, and position senior executives as trusted voices on issues that matter.

You'll work closely with AUVSI's executive leadership, Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing teams to advance the organization's visibility, strengthen its influence, and ensure our industry's voice is heard when it matters most.

We're looking for someone who is confident, politically astute, strategic, and energized by high-stakes communications. Someone who doesn't simply follow the news but recognizes opportunities to help shape the conversation.

The Opportunity to Shape the Conversation!

The future of autonomous technology is being shaped today, and effective communication plays a critical role in that future.

At AUVSI, you'll have the opportunity to influence how policymakers, industry leaders, journalists, and the public understand the technologies transforming defense, aviation, transportation, and commercial operations.

This isn't simply a traditional media relations position. You'll develop proactive communications strategies, advise senior leadership, and build a rapid-response communications capability that allows AUVSI to act decisively when emerging issues, legislative developments, or industry opportunities arise.

From executive speeches and national media engagement to crisis messaging and strategic public affairs campaigns, your work will help position AUVSI as a leading voice in one of the world's most innovative industries.

Your Day

• Lead AUVSI's media relations strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for Washington, D.C., national, and industry trade media.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, reporters, editors, and influential media contacts covering technology, aviation, defense, and public policy.
• Develop and execute proactive earned-media strategies that strengthen AUVSI's visibility and influence.
• Write compelling press releases, opinion pieces, executive speeches, public statements, and other high-impact communications.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to develop executive positioning strategies, talking points, media briefings, and public-facing messages.
• Prepare senior executives for media interviews, public appearances, industry discussions, and high-profile communications opportunities.
• Translate complex legislative and regulatory issues into clear, compelling public narratives while preserving policy accuracy and substance.
• Work closely with Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs to develop communications strategies that advance AUVSI's policy objectives.
• Lead crisis communications messaging and manage public narratives that may affect AUVSI's reputation, leadership, or industry standing.
• Establish and manage a structured rapid-response communications process that identifies emerging issues, evaluates opportunities, and coordinates timely organizational responses.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to determine the appropriate response to industry developments, including public statements, op-eds, reports, webinars, or other strategic initiatives.
• Identify emerging industry trends, policy developments, and public discussions that create opportunities for AUVSI to lead the conversation.
• Develop communications strategies that engage policymakers, industry stakeholders, members, and third-party advocates.
• Coordinate with Marketing to ensure messaging remains consistent across earned, owned, and paid communication channels.
• Evaluate communications effectiveness based on influence, message penetration, stakeholder engagement, and impact on public narratives rather than media coverage volume alone.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership during sensitive, high-visibility, or rapidly evolving situations.
• Help strengthen AUVSI's reputation as a trusted authority on uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies.
• Lead special communications and public affairs initiatives as assigned.

Must Haves

• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, or issues management within a trade association, government agency, congressional office, corporate organization, or political environment.
• Strong understanding of the Washington, D.C., policy and media landscape, including experience communicating on legislative, regulatory, or politically sensitive issues.
• Proven success developing communications strategies that influence public narratives, shape stakeholder perspectives, and advance organizational objectives.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including experience developing executive speeches, op-eds, press releases, and strategic messaging.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex, technical, legislative, or regulatory subjects into compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Experience advising senior executives and preparing organizational leaders for media engagements, public appearances, and sensitive communications.
• Strong media relations experience with established relationships or the ability to build credibility with national, Washington, D.C., and industry trade journalists.
• Experience developing crisis communications strategies and managing high-pressure or reputationally sensitive situations.
• Ability to identify the central issues in complex or contested debates and develop persuasive, credible narratives that address competing perspectives.
• Strong strategic judgment, political awareness, and the ability to make sound communications recommendations under pressure.
• Experience collaborating across departments and balancing policy accuracy, organizational priorities, and communications objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional judgment, and the confidence to advise and influence senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage competing priorities, and respond effectively to emerging developments.

Additional Experience That Will Set You Apart

• Communications or public affairs experience within defense, aviation, autonomous systems, technology, energy, or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience working with trade associations, membership organizations, or advocacy-driven organizations.
• Established relationships with Washington, D.C., national, or industry trade media.
• Experience coordinating communications with coalition partners, association members, policymakers, and third-party advocates.
• Demonstrated success building rapid-response communications processes or managing high-stakes public affairs campaigns.

Working Environment

• Hybrid work environment based in Arlington, Virginia.
• Regular collaboration with executive leadership, Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing.
• Dynamic, fast-paced environment influenced by emerging technologies, legislative developments, and industry priorities.
• Participation in media engagements, executive briefings, industry meetings, and events as needed.
• Collaborative office environment with complimentary snacks and beverages for staff.

What We Offer

AUVSI offers a competitive pay and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability and life insurance; a retirement plan with matching contributions; annual performance bonus opportunities; a flexible work schedule; and a casual dress workplace.

AUVSI has been recognized as a “Best Manufacturing Association to Work For” by the National Association of Manufacturers' Council of Manufacturing Associations.re of uncrewed systems and autonomous innovation.