ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, flying the world's largest hydrogen-electric aircraft since September 2020. Its focus is the design and commercialization of hydrogen-powered aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting short-haul, sub-regional commercial flights up to 500 miles. To date, ZeroAvia has secured the UK CAA and FAA experimental permit to fly its 6-seat aircraft powered by a hydrogen-electric powertrain, passed significant flight tests and is on track for commercial deliveries by 2023. Its achievements to date were rewarded by the UK prime minister by inviting ZeroAvia as a member of the UK Jet Zero Council.

ZeroAvia’s powertrain development focuses on integrating hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cell systems, and electric motors, delivering a solution that will be not only without carbon emissions but also cheaper to operate. Commercializing the solution requires the establishment of a new clean aviation ecosystem, encompassing hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and tackling public perception of safety.

Role

The Senior Public Affairs Manager will support ZeroAvia in ensuring that its interests are represented, building advocacy and support with key stakeholders, and securing input into policy discussions in the key Western States. This role will be crucial in positioning hydrogen-electric aviation as the most practical, holistic, and economically attractive solution for aviation’s growing climate change impact with important stakeholders in the Western United States.

Responsibilities

• Engage with relevant political stakeholders in the Western United States (primarily CA, OR, WA)  to ensure ZeroAvia is plugged into key initiatives and policy conversations.
• Mapping of relevant State policymakers to ZeroAvia’s current and future policy interests in R&D, sustainability, aviation, and hydrogen.
• Collaborating with ZeroAvia communications and executive team to understand key messages and milestones and communicating these to external stakeholders.
• Providing insight into policy developments and political events/discourse which are of business importance to ZeroAvia, thanks to close monitoring, an established network, and active engagement with the relevant community.
• Represent ZeroAvia at policy-focused events across CA, OR, WA, and elsewhere in the U.S. as needed
• Managing and maximizing participation in key policy-focused trade associations.
• Coordinating with DC Government Affairs lead and global Head of Communications & Policy to ensure consistency and maximize impact.
• Support in the management of external PR and government affairs agencies.
• Providing ongoing support to the marketing team at events and with content development relevant to operations at Hollister, CA, and Everett, WA

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications

Essential

• You must have 5-10 years of relevant experience in public affairs or communications in one or more of the following areas: energy, sustainability, or aviation.
• A good understanding of the CA, WA, and OR state policy landscape pertaining to energy and transport, and the ability to quickly understand the wider political context facing the company.
• Demonstrated work experience with companies, consultancies, trade associations, government agencies, or equivalent organizations.
• A genuine passion for clean technology and the future of electric aviation.
• A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a can-do attitude.
• Exceptional writing skills to enable high-quality input into policy consultations and discussions.

Diversity and Inclusion

ZeroAvia is an equal opportunity employer and as a young company in the aviation industry, we value diversity and need people of different backgrounds that bring a plethora of skills, perspectives, and mindsets to the table that can spur originality, imagination, and creativity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.