Position Description:

The Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) communications team is a key driver of the organization’s advocacy and outreach strategy, sharing the story of how the aerospace and defense industry contributes to America’s safety, security, and economic success.

The Manager, Content and Communications is a central storyteller, editor, and content strategist for AIA. This role is responsible for shaping, developing, and maintaining AIA’s core written products — from executive speeches and long-form thought leadership to member-facing content and internal communications — ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment across audiences and platforms.

Working closely with AIA leadership, policy and legislative teams, membership, and internal operations, this position plays a critical role in translating complex policy priorities into compelling, accessible, and strategic content that advances AIA’s mission.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $73,000.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Content Development (30%)

• Lead AIA’s speechwriting efforts, including drafting, editing, and maintaining a centralized speech bank for senior leadership.
• Serve as chief editor for AIA’s long-form external products, including white papers, reports, policy explainers, and issue briefs developed by AIA’s policy teams.
• Draft and edit longer-form written products such as op-eds, long-form blog posts, CEO bylined articles, and other thought leadership content.
• Maintain and regularly update off-the-shelf talking points, messaging frameworks, and strategic narratives for use across the organization.
• Partner with policy and issue-area teams to translate complex subject matter into clear, compelling content for external audiences.

Digital & Platform Content (25%)

• Serve as the day-to-day lead on drafting compelling social media content, including graphics and video as needed.
• Spearhead rapid social media response and ensure AIA stays current to the latest social media trends and strategies.
• Support development and execution of AIA’s social media content strategy in coordination with the Manager of Digital Assets.
• Update and maintain website copy to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with AIA priorities and messaging.
• Work with Coordinator, Communications and Legislative Affairs, to support these efforts.

Thought Leadership (15%)

• Identify, develop, and support thought leadership opportunities for AIA leadership and subject matter experts.
• Maintain and manage AIA’s editorial calendar, coordinating content priorities across communications, policy, and membership teams.
• Ensure alignment and consistency across written products, speeches, digital content, and media-facing materials.

Member-Facing & Internal Communications (15%)

• Partner with the membership team to support clear, engaging member-facing communications that explain AIA priorities and impact.
• Partner with HR to support an internal messaging strategy that informs, engages, and aligns staff.
• Help ensure consistency between internal, member-facing, and external messaging.

Media & Cross-Team Support (15%)

• Support drafting and editing of press releases and other media materials in coordination with the Senior Manager, Media Relations.
• Provide general communications support to policy and issue divisions, serving as a trusted writing, editing, and strategy resource.
• Work collaboratively across the communications team to advance AIA priorities, align messaging, and strengthen the organization’s voice.

Desired Skills/ Experience:

• Minimum of four years in communications, legislative affairs, or trade association experience.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines
• Understanding of public policy, advocacy, or trade association communications preferred; Capitol Hill experience a strong plus
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Enthusiastic about the aerospace and defense industry
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative editing tools; graphic design experience, including with Canva, is a plus

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor-level degree in communications, English, journalism, or related field or equivalent experience
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience producing long-form written content
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible language
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to providing employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, which may be assigned by the supervisor according to varying business needs.