The role
Zoox is building autonomous mobility from the ground up — a purpose-built robotaxi designed for riders, not retrofitted from an existing car. As we scale from testing to public commercial service, few things matter more than earning and keeping the trust of the public, regulators, and the communities we operate in. This role sits at the center of that work.
We're looking for a Senior Communications Manager of Policy, Safety & Reputation to lead communications across these important business functions. You will set the strategy and execute it, driving proactive campaigns and building relationships that contribute directly to the mission at Zoox. You will also build trust through proactive and reactive communications work across reputation, safety, and policy.
In this role you will:
- Partner cross-functionally with policy, safety, legal, product, and other teams at Zoox to build communication campaigns that further elevate our safety, policy, and reputation initiatives.
- Own and support a broad range of external communications programs and events aligned with policy and communication objectives.
- Track the AV regulatory landscape in partnership with policy and turn developments into forward-looking communications strategies.
- Develop relationships with media and manage inbound and reactive requests across safety and reputation-related topics and issues.
- Proactively tell our safety story telling and framework to key external stakeholders.
- Anticipate communications risks and establish risk-mitigation strategies.
- Serve as a trusted communications partner to safety, product, legal, and policy on sensitive, fast-moving matters.
- In partnership with our Public Affairs team, build communications programs that support our key community and policy in-market initiatives.
- Support reactive communications efforts with speed, accuracy, and judgment.
- Provide communications counsel and support to team members across the organization
- Work cross-functionally within existing working groups on safety and trust to represent communications.
Qualifications
- 8+ years in communications or policy communications, with deep experience handling safety, regulatory, or reputation-sensitive issues.
- A proven track record managing high-stakes, technical communications, ideally in a heavily regulated industry (AV, aviation, automotive, energy, healthcare).
- Experience running proactive policy communications campaigns that successfully shaped narratives or regulatory outcomes.
- Experience in issues management and developing reactive communications under pressure and tight timelines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical topics accurately for broad audiences.
- Strong executive management skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively cross-functionally.
- High attention to detail and program organization skills.
- Sharp instincts for what builds and what breaks public trust.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience in autonomous vehicles, mobility, or emerging technology.
- Familiarity with the federal and state AV regulatory environment.