Senior Communications Manager, Policy, Safety & Reputation

Zoox
Foster City, CA
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior communications professionals with policy and safety expertise who can lead cross-functional initiatives and shape external narratives.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years in regulated industries and a history of shaping policy narratives
    — “8+ years in communications or policy communications, with deep experience handling safety, regulatory, or reputation-sensitive issues.”
  • Individuals skilled in translating complex technical topics into accessible messaging
    — “Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical topics accurately for broad audiences.”

Things to consider

  • The role demands close collaboration with multiple teams, including legal and product, on sensitive matters.
    — “Serve as a trusted communications partner to safety, product, legal, and policy on sensitive, fast-moving matters.”
  • Geographic focus is likely on Foster City, CA, given the location requirement and in-market initiatives.
    — “In partnership with our Public Affairs team, build communications programs that support our key community and policy in-market initiatives.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in proactive policy campaigns that influenced regulatory outcomes.
    — “Experience running proactive policy communications campaigns that successfully shaped narratives or regulatory outcomes.”
  • Showcase ability to handle high-pressure, reactive communications with clear examples.
    — “Experience in issues management and developing reactive communications under pressure and tight timelines.”
  • Demonstrate expertise in AV or mobility communications to align with the role’s domain focus.
    — “Experience in autonomous vehicles, mobility, or emerging technology.”
  • Emphasize cross-functional leadership and trust-building in communications strategies.
    — “Partner cross-functionally with policy, safety, legal, product, and other teams at Zoox to build communication campaigns.”
  • Demonstrate understanding of AV regulatory landscapes and how to turn them into communication strategies.
    — “Track the AV regulatory landscape in partnership with policy and turn developments into forward-looking communications strategies.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful policy communications campaigns
  • positive public perception
Typical background
communicationspolicyregulatory affairs

Skills & requirements

Required

CommunicationsPolicySafetyReputation Management

Preferred

Autonomous VehiclesRegulatory Environment

Stack & domain

CommunicationsPolicySafetyReputationAV Regulatory LandscapeMedia RelationsIssues ManagementReactive CommunicationsProactive Policy CommunicationsCommunicationProblem-solvingCollaboration

About the role

Original posting from Zoox via Lever

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.

Compensation:

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

Source: Zoox careers (Lever)

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