External Relations Manager

Nord Space ( ) is a Canadian startup with the mission to advance life on Earth, from space. Nord Space is committed to extremely rapid innovation and development of only the most ambitious aerospace projects with only the most ambitious team Canada has to offer. With divisions spanning everything from rockets to satellites, Nord Space is driven to bring space closer to Earth and inspire generations of space explorers.

The External Relations Manager owns how Nord Space presents itself to the world, shaping the company's public narrative, building its brand, and cultivating the external relationships that support its mission and business objectives. This role brings together communications strategy, digital media, public relations, community engagement, and events into a single function, ensuring that every external touchpoint, from a social media post to a government briefing to a launch event, reinforces Nord Space's position as Canada's leader in commercial space.

Reporting to the CEO, this is a high-autonomy role for someone who can think strategically, execute hands-on, and represent the company credibly to audiences ranging from local communities to senior government and industry leaders.

• Reports to:
  
  CEO.
• Works closely with:
  Business Development, Launch Program Director, Director of Operations, and Finance.
• Accountability:
  Nord Space's external brand, public communications, media relations, digital presence, community relationships, government and stakeholder engagement, and events.

Communications Strategy & Public Relations:

• Develop and execute Nord Space's overarching communications strategy, defining key messages, audiences, channels, and cadence to build the company's public profile and support business objectives.
• Serve as the company's primary media contact, managing press inquiries, drafting press releases, coordinating interviews, and building relationships with journalists covering space, technology, defence, and Canadian industry.
• Prepare communications materials for major program milestones—test campaigns, launch events, funding announcements, partnerships—ensuring messaging is coordinated across all channels and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain crisis communications plans and protocols, ensuring the company is prepared to respond to incidents, negative coverage, or public scrutiny with speed, accuracy, and transparency.
• Draft or support executive communications, including CEO talking points, speeches, op-eds, and presentations for conferences, government engagements, and investor meetings.

Digital Media & Brand Strategy:

• Own Nord Space's digital presence across all platforms—website, social media, video, newsletter, and emerging channels—developing content strategies that grow audience engagement and reinforce the company's brand.
• Plan, produce, and publish compelling content that tells the story of Nord Space's mission, technology, team, and milestones, translating complex engineering work into narratives that resonate with public, government, industry, and talent audiences.
• Manage the company's visual brand and identity standards, ensuring consistency across all external materials, digital assets, merchandise, and event collateral.
• Track digital performance metrics, audience growth, and engagement trends, using data to refine content strategy and demonstrate communications impact to leadership.

Community Engagement & Government Relations:

• Build and manage relationships with local and regional communities surrounding Nord Space's facilities and launch sites, serving as the company's primary community-facing representative.
• Develop and execute community outreach programs, including public information sessions, educational partnerships, facility tours, and local sponsor ships that build goodwill and social licence for the company's operations.
• Support the Director of Operations and Business Development in government-facing engagements by preparing briefing materials, coordinating meeting logistics, and ensuring follow-up actions are tracked and completed.

Events Management:

• Plan and execute Nord Space's presence at industry conferences, trade shows, government…