Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company dedicated to protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, along with the Hivemind Enterprise and Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities throughout the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology supports operations worldwide. Learn more at https://shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Shield AI is hiring a Director of Communications for APAC/ME to lead our regional communications strategy. Priority markets include India, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore, with expanded responsibility for ANZ and key ASEAN countries as the business grows. You will help shape how Shield AI’s mission—protecting service members and civilians through intelligent systems and enabling sovereign autonomy—is understood across APAC, establishing the company as a consistent, credible presence in leading regional media.

This role owns Shield AI’s APAC narrative and reputation from strategy through execution. You will build and scale a high-impact regional communications function while staying personally engaged in key initiatives, moments, and issues. You will work closely with Global Communications, Government Relations, executive leadership, business development, and technical experts. The position combines strategic storytelling, analytical decision-making, strong execution, and people leadership at the intersection of advanced technology, public policy, and national interests.

Strategic impact of this role for Shield AI: APAC is one of the most strategically important and complex regions for AI, autonomy, and emerging technologies. This role will define how Shield AI is perceived across different political systems, cultures, and security environments at a time when technology, sovereignty, and regional stability are tightly linked. It also offers the opportunity to build a principled, regionally fluent communications capability from the ground up and to shape informed discussion around some of the most consequential technologies of our era.

What you’ll do:
– Regional communications strategy: Develop and execute an APAC-wide external communications strategy aligned with Shield AI’s global narrative and tailored to diverse regional markets, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Translate global priorities into locally meaningful messaging quickly and accurately, balancing consistency with cultural and political nuance.
– Media, PR, and thought leadership: Drive frequent, high-impact coverage across technology, business, policy, and trade press. Manage reactive and issue-driven communications when needed. Ensure Shield AI executives and subject-matter experts are viewed as credible voices on AI, autonomy, and complex technologies in high-stakes settings. Partner with Government Relations to align public messaging with policy engagement and regulatory considerations.
– Analyst, think tank, and ecosystem engagement: Own relationships with analysts, think tanks, and research institutions focused on AI, emerging technologies, security, and industrial policy. Create structured briefing programs and influence strategies that shape external understanding of Shield AI’s technology and approach.
– Customer references and proof points: Build and manage an APAC customer reference program, including case studies, testimonials, events, and reference engagements, while handling confidentiality, operational sensitivity, and approval processes. Support business development with credible third-party validation to accelerate trust and decision-making.
– Team and capability building: Build, scale, and lead a high-performing APAC communications team across priority markets (internal hires, agencies, and partners). Set clear operating rhythms, performance measures, and career development paths aligned with Shield AI’s leadership and people standards.
– Strategic counsel and risk management: Serve as a senior advisor to regional leadership on communications strategy, reputational risk, and sensitive topics involving advanced technology, geopolitics, or regulation. Lead scenario planning and crisis communications readiness in partnership with Legal, Government Relations, and Global Comms.

Required qualifications:
– 10+ years of progressive experience in external communications, PR, or public affairs, including senior leadership responsibility at regional or global level.
– Proven success securing top-tier media coverage and managing complex international narratives for high-growth or mission-driven technology companies operating in nuanced regulatory, political, or societal environments.
– Demonstrated success building and scaling teams and programs across APAC, including coordinating across multiple countries from a central base.
– Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work through ambiguity, synthesize technical and policy inputs, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and make effective communication trade-offs when information is incomplete or stakes are high.
– Comfortable partnering closely with engineers, product leaders, government relations, and technical experts to build trust and develop accurate, responsible external narratives aligned with regulatory and stakeholder strategies.
– Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills, with confidence advising senior leaders.
– Fluency in English required; additional regional languages (e.g., Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, or others) are a strong plus.

Our international employees receive a comprehensive total rewards package based on your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.