Public Relations Manager

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space. SUMMARY Firefly has an exciting opportunity to join our marketing and communications team as a Public Relations Manager. Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications, this position will manage Firefly's media relations and help amplify Firefly's story with key aerospace, defense, and technology audiences. The ideal candidate has experience with rules and regulations surrounding a public traded company, strong storyteller with established media relationships, excellent writing skills, and sound news judgment. They have experience working with highly technical information and translating into key messages that are understandable to multiple audiences. They must be collaborative, proactive, organized, attentive to detail, and operate with a sense of urgency. This candidate also thrives and meets deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where news can break at any moment. RESPONSIBILITIES Manage the development of press releases for key news items, including program milestones, contract awards, partnerships, and company updates. Manage all media inquiries, including triaging requests, coordinating responses with subject matter experts, and preparing spokespeople for interviews. Build and maintain strong relationships with key top tier, aerospace, defense, technology, and financial media. Identify proactive media opportunities to amplify Firefly’s vision and technology roadmap. Support the development of corporate messaging to ensure clear and consistent communication across all external channels. Work with key stakeholders across the company to identify, capture, and amplify key program milestones across Firefly's launch, lunar, and in-space product lines. Work with Firefly's creative team to develop supporting graphics and marketing assets for Firefly news announcements. Support external speaking engagements and provide key talking points, briefing materials, and presentation content for Firefly spokespeople. Manage Firefly's award tracker and support the development of compelling award nominations. Report on key media metrics, including coverage volume, competitive share of voice, and message pull-through, and provide insights and recommendations for improvement. Distribute weekly Firefly news roundup company wide. Work with the team to support communication operations including launches, lunar landings and spacecraft missions. QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or equivalent work or educational experience. 5 -10 years of experience in public relations, media relations, or corporate communications, either in-house or at an agency. Publicly traded company experience required, with a preference in the aerospace or defense industry Experience with quarterly earnings and investor relations Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including proficiency in AP style. Established relationships with aerospace, defense, and/or technology media preferred. Proven track record of securing earned media coverage in top-tier and trade publications. Experience in preparing executives and spokespeople for media interviews and speaking engagements. Experience with media monitoring and database platforms (e.g., Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack). Experience with crisis communications. Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or time-critical information. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Ability to travel up to 30% of the time. Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.