External Communications Lead

Company Description:

Spirit Electronics is a veteran-owned woman-owned small business that excels at semiconductor design and manufacturing solutions for the aerospace and defense markets. With a history rooted in serving the military and space industries Spirit strives to be a valued partner to key technology sectors. As an award-winning distributor Spirit provides mission-critical components and specialized engineering services for the technologies shaping humanitys future in space and advancing next-generation defense capabilitiesfrom foundry access ASIC design and precision testing to custom design assembly and up screen qualification.

Position Overview:

The External Communications Lead will lead all external communications media relations and CEO visibility initiatives. This is a strategic role that bridges media/PR execution with thought leadership positioning and narrative architecture in the aerospace/defense sector serving as the primary communications strategist for the organization. The successful candidate will be a strategic storyteller identifying high-impact opportunities developing compelling narratives around Spirits capabilities and market position and pursuing targeted relationships with media industry analysts and strategic partners including line card suppliers. The position reports directly to the Senior Director of Marketing.

Key Responsibilities:

Identify and pursue targeted media opportunities journalists and publications covering new space and new defense sectors

Build and maintain strategic relationships with key industry journalists analysts and conference organizers in aerospace/defense

Respond to media inquiries with accuracy and speed

Pitch compelling story angles that position Spirits advanced capabilities and market relevance to media contacts

Identify pitch and secure CEO/leadership speaking opportunities panel discussions and thought leadership placements

Work with senior management to develop executive positioning strategy talking points and compelling narratives aligned with Spirits market positioning and competitive differentiation

Identify marketing and business development contacts at key supplier companies and initiate strategic co-marketing conversations

Evaluate emerging opportunities and industry landscape shifts to recommend high-impact positioning and partnership initiatives

Serve as strategic advisor to leadership on media analyst and partnership opportunities and market positioning

5-10 years PR/communications/media relations experience (any industry)

2 years recent aerospace/defense defense contracting space or highly regulated sector experience

Demonstrated success securing executive media placements and speaking opportunities

Relationship builder: Track record of establishing and maintaining strong connections with journalists analysts industry influencers and strategic partners

Strategic communicator: Ability to develop compelling narratives and positioning that resonate with diverse audiences

Excellent writing ability across multiple formats: positioning documents thought leadership pieces and media materials

Self-directed in identifying emerging opportunities and proactively pursuing high-impact placements before saturation

Aggressive in pitching and closing placements with media analysts and strategic partners

Strategic thinking: Ability to evaluate opportunities recommend positioning and make disciplined decisions

Comfort with technical/complex messaging: Ability to translate specialized aerospace/defense capabilities into compelling market narratives

Bachelors degree in Communications PR Marketing Journalism or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

Existing relationships with aerospace/defense media analysts or industry organizations

New space sector experience (commercial space LEO launch providers space tech)

Background in aerospace OEM defense contractor or aerospace supplier communications

CEO/C-suite communications experience

Experience pitching co-marketing or strategic partnership initiatives to suppliers or vendors