Director of Communications & External Affairs

MoovePhoenix, ArizonaOn-siteFull-timePrincipal, 12–15+ yearsListed 4 hours ago

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About this role

About Moove

Moove is a global mobility company building the operating layer for ride-hailing, both human-driven and autonomous. We finance, own and operate vehicle fleets for the world's leading mobility platforms.

We started in 2020 with Drive-to-Own, revenue-based vehicle financing that opened up ride-hail work to drivers traditionally shut out of car ownership. Today we are Uber's largest global fleet partner, and the leading third-party operator of autonomous fleets through our partnership with Waymo.

The Moove Group, which includes Kovi in Brazil and Tokyo Taxi in Japan, is backed by global investors including Mubadala, Woven Capital and Uber. We are now applying the financing, fleet and operations expertise built in human-driven ride-hailing to autonomous fleets, while creating economic opportunity for the drivers and communities we serve.

About the Role

The Director of Communications & External Affairs sets Moove's communications strategy, internal and external, as the company prepares for US IPO readiness. The role owns the corporate narrative, media and executive communications, public and government affairs, crisis readiness and internal communications strategy. It works closely with the CEO on board and investor moments, with a strong focus on the AV (automated vehicle) business. It provides guidance on how Moove's entities communicate, while BU and market leaders keep ownership of local execution.

What You’ll be Doing

Role Expectations

This role sets direction for Moove's communications and external affairs and translates it into plans, policies and playbooks that BU’s and market teams execute. It owns communications strategy, messaging architecture, crisis protocols and internal communications strategy. It influences, rather than owns, local market communications, investor disclosures and marketing campaigns. Its reach is cross-functional and cross-entity through guidance and governance, not line authority over MDs or BU leaders.

Nature of impact: Sets communications direction and standards, and executes through governance, playbooks, a small specialist team and partnership with BU leaders. Owns messaging, the spokesperson programme, crisis protocols and the internal communications framework. Influences market-level communications, the investor narrative (with Capital/Finance) and brand campaigns (with Marketing).

Scope affected: Group-level guidance across entities, with primary focus on the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) business and the US market. Execution in local markets stays with BU and market teams.

Critical outcomes (6–12 months)

- A US-ready corporate narrative and media profile: messaging architecture, spokesperson programme and Tier-1 media relationships that support IPO readiness.
- An internal communications strategy launched: a clear framework, cadence and channels so employees across entities receive timely, aligned information.
- An enterprise crisis and issues framework live: board-ready playbook, escalation and spokesperson protocols, and at least one simulation with the leadership team.

Scope of responsibilities

- Corporate and executive communications: Own strategy, narrative and messaging architecture; lead media relations and thought leadership; prepare the CEO and executives for key external moments.
- Internal communications strategy: Define the internal communications framework, leadership communication cadence, and all-hands and change communications approach; partner with People and leadership so internal and external messages stay aligned. Day-to-day execution sits with operators on the ground or a supporting team.
- Public and government affairs: Build relationships with regulators, policymakers and industry bodies, with priority on AV regulation in the US; counsel BU CEOs on market-level engagement; ensure compliant lobbying practices with Legal.
- IPO readiness and investor communications (in partnership): Partner with Capital/Finance and Legal on the investor narrative, disclosure cadence and board materials; prepare the function for public-company standards.
- Crisis and issues management: Own crisis preparedness, monitoring, response and after-action reviews; chair the crisis communications cell; train spokespeople.
- Group communications governance: Set communications policy and brand guardrails for entities; define approval and escalation routes; partner with Marketing, which keeps campaign ownership.
- Measurement: Track reputation, media quality, internal engagement and crisis readiness; report progress to the CEO and leadership.

What You will need for this position

Experience

- 12+ years in corporate communications, corporate affairs or public affairs, including multi-country responsibility in regulated or complex markets.
- Experience in a Series C+ or pre-IPO company, ideally supporting a US listing or public-company communications.
- Track record in US media, policy and stakeholder landscapes; exposure to AV, mobility, transport or deep-tech regulation strongly preferred.
- Experience designing internal communications strategy for a fast-scaling, multi-entity organisation.
- Experience advising CEOs and boards, and leading crisis response.
- Experience leading a small specialist team and working through matrixed, cross-functional partners.

Education and technical skills

- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Policy, Business, Law, International Relations or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication; credible media spokesperson.
- Strong stakeholder mapping, issues management and risk assessment.
- Data-driven approach to measuring reputation and engagement.
- Based in the US, with the ability to travel internationally.

Behavioural traits and ways of working

- Strategic and hands-on: sets direction and does the work where the team is lean.
- Influences without authority: guides senior leaders and MDs through credibility, not hierarchy.
- Calm, sound judgment in sensitive and time-critical situations.
- Culturally aware communicator who builds trust across markets and functions.
- High ownership, pace and comfort with ambiguity.

Key Metrics

- Reputation and media quality: growth in Tier-1 positive share of voice and sentiment in the US, focus on AV.
- Internal communications effectiveness: employee understanding of strategy and milestones (pulse survey); leadership communication cadence delivered on time.
- Crisis readiness: time-to-respond against agreed SLAs, simulations completed, and stakeholder confidence after incidents.
- IPO-readiness communications: narrative, disclosure cadence and board/investor materials delivered on time and aligned with Capital/Finance and Legal.

Who You'll Be Working with:

Directly reporting to our Chief Marketing Officer , and closely working with our Office of the CEO Team.

About the team

Our team is collaborative, positive, curious, and engaged. We think fast, work smart, laugh often, and are looking for like-minded people to join us in our mission to disrupt vehicle ownership and make financial freedom within reach.

Moove is strongly committed to diversity within its community. The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds who seek the opportunity to help build a future where everyone and everything can move independently.

Pre-hiring Notice: Moove relies on the accuracy of information contained in employment applications, as well as the accuracy of other data presented throughout the hiring process and during employment. Any misrepresentations, falsifications, or material omissions in any information or data provided by an applicant may result in the applicant being excluded from further consideration for employment or if an individual has already been hired, termination of employment.

EEO Statement: Moove is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political affiliation or any other protected characteristic.