Communications Lead, UK & EU

About us     Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology.  Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems. Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward.  Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving.  In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future. At Wayve, your contributions matter.  We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact.   Make Wayve the experience that defines your career!   The role As Communications Lead for the UK and Europe, you will own Wayve’s PR strategy and execution across several key functions, including corporate, policy, and product comms.  The UK is Wayve’s home market, and London is the first city we’ll launch the Wayve AI Driver in.You will be responsible for sustaining and growing Wayve’s reputation as a leading technology company there and across Europe, while also shaping the communications strategy for core product and technology milestones across our automotive and robotaxi businesses, alongside partners such as Nissan, Stellantis, and Uber.    This is a high-ownership role for someone who is comfortable operating as a player-coach and who is motivated by strategic impact, autonomy, and breadth. You will work closely with Marketing, Policy, Product, Partnerships, and Executive Leadership to shape external narratives, manage market activity and build trusted relationships with media and other stakeholders.   This is a rare opportunity to shape the communications strategy for one of the most visible and strategically important markets in autonomous driving, working at the intersection of AI, public policy, and commercialization.  Key Responsibilities Lead Wayve’s communications strategy and execution across the UK and Europe,helping to sustain and grow Wayve’s reputation as a leading technology company. Lead communications for Wayve’s UK robotaxi activity, working closely with partners such as Uber, and support future European expansion Build, maintain and deepen relationships with key UK and European media through regular engagement, including briefings, ridealongs, and events.  Work with policy product, and commercial teams to translate complex technical, regulatory, and commercial milestones into clear, compelling narratives. Support executive communications, including profile-building, s, media preparation, and executive coaching. Travel as needed across Europe and other key markets on a monthly to quarterly basis depending on business needs. About you We are looking for an experienced communications professional with strong judgement, excellent media instincts, and the ability to operate autonomously in a fast-moving environment. You should be comfortable working across a broad communications mix, including corporate, product, policy, executive, and crisis communications. You will likely have built communications strategies in a technology company, startup, scale-up or agency environment, and you should understand what it takes to build awareness, manage reputation and shape perception in new technology, especially within competitive industries. . The strongest candidates will combine strategic communications experience with the ability to go deep on specific topics within a  highly technical space. You should be able to handle ambiguity, work at pace, effectively partner with senior stakeholders, and calmly manage sensitive or high-stakes communications issues. You do not need to have worked in autonomous driving before, but you should be excited by frontier technology and able to understand complex technical, policy, and product issues quickly. Essential experience Significant experience in communications at a fast-paced technology company, ideally in mobility, AI, automotive, deep tech, transport, policy, or another complex regulated sector. Strong understanding of and relationships with the UK media landscape, including business, technology, policy, and national media. Track record of building or strengthening a company’s brand, reputation and market position. Strong judgement in complex, sensitive or high-stakes communications environments. Experience working with policy teams on regulation, public affairs, safety, trust or market readiness. Experience working closely with senior executives or company spokespeople, including preparing them for media, events, and other external engagements.