Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications

VW. Two letters. Endless opportunities. A bright future. 

Innovation. Sophistication. Optimization. This is our Passion.

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. Here in the US, we are blending German engineering with American ingenuity.

As ADMT, we develop and realize fully autonomous mobility and transportation services. Our mission is to make mobility-and transportation-as-a-service safe, accessible and most attractive for society. For that, we cover the entire ground from strategy and business development, software development and end-2-end integration, fleet operations to next-generation self-driving systems. Being the driver in Volkswagen Group initiative for mobility solutions, we are an integral part of Volkswagen Group's future success.

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications will be responsible for defining and driving an effective external communications strategy for Volkswagen ADMT organization in North America. The role oversees all media relations for the company and leads the team focused on autonomous driving communications. This role influences how we define and shepherd the company's external voice and public storytelling and helps bring that vision and story to life via smart, effective and consistent product and corporate communications, brand activations and media experiences. This person will also help design effective risk mitigation strategies to protect and advance Volkswagen ADMT LLC’s reputation across the region

Role Responsibilities:

People and Resource Management – 20% of time

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management for the team. Oversee, guide, and support the team in the development and execution of public relations and communications strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Conduct regular performance check-ins and annual reviews, offering constructive feedback and development opportunities to support staff growth and accountability.
• Set clear goals and expectations, prioritize team workload, and ensure timely execution of initiatives and deliverables.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment that promotes professional development, cross-functional communication, and effective stakeholder engagement
• Serve as a mentor and advisor to team members, helping them problem-solve complex issues and elevate high-impact opportunities

Public Relations & Communications – assign % of time spent

• Builds and executes strategic, integrated communications strategies for product, business, and brand initiatives that deepen Volkswagen’s connection w/ media and external stakeholders
• Own external narrative creation and evolution, developing media relations strategies, goals, media targets, and pitch angles across tech, automotive, consumer, business, and key trade outlets
• Acts as company spokesperson on behalf of Volkswagen ADMT LLC’s spokespersons and product leadership when interacting publicly
• Partners closely w/ the Head of VW Group of America’s Marketing team, as well as ADMT LLC’s marketing and MOIA’s PR and marketing team to create press events and experiential activations in support of product and corporate launches and announcements
• Plays a lead role in managing sensitive customer communication.
• Manages internal communications and workforce communications team members
• Establish risk communications standards, including a statement library and crisis process, to help protect the brand in a dynamic media and news environment
• Actively aligns external and internal communications and develops standards and processes to ensure consistency and clarity around strategy and impact
• Identifies and manages emerging PR opportunities, including areas such as executive thought leadership, product placement, and key influences.
• Leverages resources to measure and track communications results and brand PR reputation, including third-party market research and intelligence providers
• Counsels adjacent teams daily, applying brand and PR filters to help teams that interface with dealers, customers and employees.
• Builds in-house PR & Reputation team and oversees multiple communications vendors

Years Of Relevant Experience:

Minimum years of relevant experience needed to perform the job

·         12-15+ years of experience in progressively senior roles in public relations or corporate communication

Education

• BA required (e.g. in English, Journalism, or Organizational Behavior)
• Advanced degree in English, Journalism, or Organizational Behavior preferred.

General Skills Necessary to Perform Role:

• Ability to build relationships with executive stakeholders and create executive visibility campaigns for broad set of leaders
• Willingness to work in a collaborative and integrated fashion with various teams that touch the brand, including Corporate Strategy, Marketing, Product, etc.
• Outstanding press release, social media, and speech writing skills
• Ability to lead press conferences and briefings

Required Skills:

• Experience developing and implementing high impact strategic communication strategies and brand PR campaigns
• International experience and awareness of the cultural context of communication in a global, matrix environment
• Ability to provide media and speaking training to company leadership team
• Lead and facilitate crisis communications

Desired Skills:

• Automotive and/or Tech experience
• Familiarity with working with media

Work Flexibility:

• Accommodation for working time zone differences between international locations as needed
• Travel is estimated to be 20-25%.
• Role requires flexibility in daily schedule, including early morning meetings with Europe, evenings for the West Coast, and weekends for events and travel (e.g. after-hours events multiple times a week)

In Silicon Valley (California), the salary range for this role will be $225,000 - $245,000, depending on education and years of relevant experience. Salary is determined by geographical location and adjusted accordingly. Other benefits for this position include:

 ·       Eligibility for annual performance bonus

·       Healthcare Benefits

• 401(k), with company match
• Defined contribution retirement program.

·       Tuition Reimbursement

• Company lease car program
• Paid time off

 Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. 

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