Communications Manager, Local & Launch Communications

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world's most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda's national blood delivery network and Ghana's COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Using robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role

Are you a communications and storytelling ninja? Do you know how to build and execute strategic communications campaigns that educate your audience and celebrate champions? Then this role could be for you!

Zipline is hiring a Communications Manager, Local & Launch Communications to serve as the primary communications lead for new market, store and site launches. This new role owns local and launch communications end-to-end — pre-launch through early and mature operations — and is the day-to-day point person for traditional media, new media, creators/influencers, and visual storytelling partners in new markets.

You will build trust and excitement in local communities, cultivate and shape Zipline's reputation as we launch, and ensure every new deployment lands with clarity, credibility, and momentum. This role is ideal for a hands-on communications leader who thrives in fast-moving environments and knows how to turn complex operations into compelling local stories.

What You'll Do

• Own communications for in market site and store launches, serving as the main point of contact for all local and launch-related comms.
• Plan and execute integrated launch communications across traditional media, digital and new media, and visual storytelling.
• Build and manage strong relationships with local, regional, and national reporters, creators/influencers, and YouTubers.
• Lead story development, media outreach, interviews, and on-the-ground press moments tied to launches and milestones.
• Partner with videographers, photographers, and designers to capture and deploy high-quality visual content from launches and operations.
• Develop core messaging and media materials including press releases, talking points, FAQs, reactive statements, blog posts, and video briefs.
• Support launch events, media tours, and community moments with a strong PR and storytelling lens.
• Provide clear, confident communications counsel to cross-functional partners including Operations, Government Relations, Community, Marketing, and Design.
• Monitor and manage local issues or misinformation, escalating and responding quickly when needed.
• Plan and execute events, with a sharable/viral lens to them.
• Train and advise local team members on communications and messaging
• Serve as a Zipline spokesperson

What You'll Bring

• 7+ years of communications experience in-house, agency, media, or politics; launch and local market experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success working directly with traditional media and emerging media, including creators and digital platforms. Past work experience with creators, influencers and new media is a plus.
• Strong news/viral judgment, crisp writing skills, and the ability to simplify complex topics.
• Experience managing visual storytelling projects and working closely with videographers, managing on-site video crews or content teams.
• Excellent attention to detail, project management and writing skills, paired with exceptional judgment and a strong understanding of the media landscape and/or local markets.
• High ownership mindset, excellent project management skills, and comfort operating independently as the local comms lead.
• Curiosity, creativity, and a passion for storytelling along with the ability to sniff out potential newshooks and stories.
• Prior success collaborating cross-functionally with diverse, globally distributed teams.
• Desire and ability to travel for work (approximately 35%)

You'll Thrive in the Role If:

• You are comfortable working with the media and building relationships with them
• You're a self-starter and collaborate well cross-functionally
• You like to work in fast-paced environments, are great at multitasking, and can go with the flow
• You are a good writer and have excellent attention to detail
• You are equal parts creative and strategic
• You are intellectually curious and a team player
• You are passionate and excited about Zipline's mission, impact and products
• You're comfortable as an "intrepreneur," look for ways to continuous improve and take ownership

What Else You Need to Know

We are open to hiring this role out of the Dallas Fort-Worth or Houston region.

The starting cash range for this role is $105,000-130,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.