Senior Communications Manager, Defense

Company Overview

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We’re a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future.

Department Overview

The global communications team is the voice of Motorola Solutions, bringing to life the company’s rich history in innovation and commitment to helping keep communities, businesses and nations safe, productive and thriving. Our customers are everyday heroes – from police officers, firefighters and service members to utility workers and educators – and we proudly tell their stories through thoughtful campaigns that span media, thought leadership, employee engagement and other stakeholder communications.

Job Description

About Motorola Solutions’ Defense Portfolio

Motorola Solutions has a storied history in defense, dating back to its pioneering two-way radios used by the U.S. Army in the Second World War. This heritage has evolved, alongside modern global defense strategies, to include mission-critical communications that meet the government’s highest standards for data security, command center technologies that unify pertinent mission data and advanced video security technology, such as long-range thermal cameras. Recent investments have brought the company mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology that enables highly secure voice, video and sensor data transmission and radio frequency (RF) intelligence tools that can detect and geolocate RF signals in congested and contested environments. Together, this portfolio enables data-driven decision-making and enhanced safety and security across battlefields, bases and borders worldwide.

Role Purpose

As the Senior Communications Manager, Defense, you will lead the strategic formulation, execution and orchestration of global communication initiatives for Motorola Solutions' rapidly growing Defense portfolio. This role serves as a principal communications advisor to senior executives and business leaders across our Federal and Defense divisions. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will translate highly complex defense, aerospace and tactical technology capabilities into differentiated, high-impact narratives tailored for distinct global stakeholders, including customers, potential customers, defense tech media, global institutional investors and the general public.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Narrative Development: Architect and execute comprehensive, long-term global communication and public relations strategies that establish Motorola Solutions as an elite innovator in the defense tech, tactical networking and counter-drone spaces.

• Product & Customer Storytelling: Translate highly technical hardware and software capabilities into compelling, human-centric narratives that clearly demonstrate how our technology empowers  data-driven decision-making across battlefields, bases and borders. 

• International Public Relations & Media Engagement: Orchestrate the company’s global defense PR and media strategy by nurturing deep relationships with national and international defense reporters and influential trade publications.

• Thought Leadership & Executive Coaching: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel, message alignment and media training for high-profile defense interviews, speaking opportunities and trade shows.

• Issues Management & Corporate Reputation: Anticipate, identify and manage reputational risks inherent to the defense sector, collaborating on issues management strategies and messaging under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

At the Senior Manager level, candidates are expected to demonstrate strong executive presence, exceptional situational leadership and the ability to operate effectively within high-stakes, highly matrixed global environments. The ideal candidate will possess:

• Relevant Defense Tech Expertise: 5+ years of communications experience in defense, aerospace or Federal tech. Deeply understands the defense market environment, multi-year government buying cycles and tactical technology.

• Proven International Experience: Background managing global PR campaigns, demonstrating cross-cultural communication capability and an understanding of geopolitical media dynamics.

• Exceptional Verbal & Written Communications: A proven track record of translating complex defense tech into compelling narratives for diverse audiences—seamlessly shifting writing styles to satisfy highly technical defense audiences, investors and lay consumer/business media.  

• Demonstrated Media Relations Track Record: Established, current relationships with key tier-one defense and relevant mainstream business journalists. Demonstrated success in pitching and securing high-profile coverage, with a sophisticated understanding of today's rapidly evolving media environment and digital news trends. 

• Sound Reputational Leadership: Direct experience navigating high-pressure crisis communications or managing sensitive, complex narratives under rapid-response conditions.

• Polished Presentation & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional verbal articulation and strong interpersonal acumen to seamlessly guide cross-functional teams and company leadership.

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Target Base Salary Range: $135,000 - $195,000 USD

Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. 

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations, Government Affairs or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive professional experience in public relations, corporate communications or media relations.

Travel Requirements

10-25%

Relocation Provided

None

Position Type

Experienced

Referral Payment Plan

Yes

Our U.S. Benefits include:

• Incentive Bonus Plans

• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

• 401K with Company Match

• 10 Paid Holidays

• Generous Paid Time Off Packages

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Paid Parental & Family Leave

• and more!

EEO Statement

Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic. 

We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you’d like to join our team but feel that you don’t quite meet all of the preferred skills, we’d still love to hear why you think you’d be a great addition to our team.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete this Reasonable Accommodations Form so we can assist you.