Sr. Principal Public Relations Representative

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Sr. Principal Public Relations Representative based in the United States.

Overview

We are seeking a seasoned public relations professional to lead strategic media relations initiatives within the aerospace and defense industry. In this role, you will shape external communications strategies that strengthen organizational reputation, showcase technological innovation, and support key business objectives. You will collaborate with senior leaders, technical experts, and communications teams to deliver impactful messaging across traditional and digital media channels. Leveraging your understanding of the national security landscape and media environment, you will identify opportunities to position the organization as an industry thought leader. You will also build trusted relationships with journalists, manage media engagement strategies, and measure communications effectiveness. This opportunity offers a dynamic, collaborative environment where strategic thinking, creativity, and sound judgment contribute to high-profile initiatives with national and global relevance.

• Develop and execute strategic media relations plans that support business priorities, program objectives, and organizational communications goals through proactive and reactive engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, particularly those covering aerospace, defense, technology, and other highly technical industries.
• Identify emerging news cycles, industry developments, and media opportunities to strengthen thought leadership and increase visibility across priority topics.
• Prepare and position subject matter experts and senior executives for media interviews, briefings, press events, site visits, and other external engagements.
• Create compelling media materials, including press releases, news features, long-form articles, pitches, and content for digital and owned communication channels.
• Partner with communications professionals across the organization to coordinate integrated campaigns, align messaging, and ensure consistency across business units and stakeholder groups.
• Monitor industry news, media coverage, and emerging issues to identify potential risks, trends, and opportunities, providing timely insights to relevant stakeholders.
• Track, analyze, and report communications performance metrics, using data-driven insights to refine strategies and demonstrate measurable business impact.
• Provide strategic counsel to business partners and leadership on media engagement, message development, communications planning, and reputation management.
• Apply sound judgment and innovative approaches to improve media relations practices, adapt to evolving communication trends, and support organizational priorities.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree and at least eight years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and at least six years of relevant experience, within a medium-to-large communications organization, public affairs office, public relations agency, or media company.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic media relations campaigns that deliver measurable communications and business outcomes.
• Experience using media monitoring platforms, analytics tools, and performance measurement applications to evaluate media coverage and campaign effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of media relations practices, including journalist outreach, pitching, interview preparation, media training, and message development.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including proficiency in Associated Press (AP) style and the ability to produce diverse media content.
• Ability to build productive relationships with journalists and identify opportunities to leverage industry news and emerging developments to advance thought leadership.
• Strong executive presence and the confidence to advise senior leaders, collaborate with technical subject matter experts, and operate independently in a complex organizational environment.
• Excellent strategic thinking, planning, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills, with a high level of attention to detail and accountability for results.
• Adaptability, creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to test new tools and approaches in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including travel between organizational sites when required.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working within large, matrixed, or geographically distributed organizations.
• Familiarity with the U.S. government, national security, or Congressional environments.
• Established relationships with journalists covering aerospace, defense, or advanced technology.
• Professional experience in aerospace, defense, technology, science-related industries, or government communications.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound professional judgment, and the ability to drive change through creative communication strategies and innovative approaches.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary: Base compensation ranging from $106,800 to $160,200, depending on experience, qualifications, skills, and market conditions.
• Healthcare coverage: Access to health insurance and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Life and disability insurance: Benefits designed to provide additional financial protection.
• Retirement savings: Access to an employer-sponsored savings plan.
• Paid time off: Paid vacation and personal leave to support work-life balance.
• Company-paid holidays: Designated paid holidays throughout the year.
• Potential additional compensation: Eligible employees may qualify for overtime, shift differentials, discretionary bonuses, or other incentives, depending on the position and applicable compensation policies.
• Flexible work arrangements: Remote or telework opportunities may be available, depending on business needs and the selected work location.
• Professional development: Opportunities to expand communications expertise, collaborate with experienced professionals, and contribute to high-impact strategic initiatives.
• Travel opportunities: Occasional domestic travel, with requirements of up to 25% of working time.
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside communications specialists, technical experts, and senior stakeholders on projects that highlight innovation and support important aerospace and defense objectives.