Communications Manager

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is seeking a Communications Manager to join our team. Reporting to the VP of Communications, you are a thoughtful, and highly organized communications professional who will lead communications efforts and execution for crew members of future Vast missions. This role will focus on managing mission storytelling, and coordinating closely with government agencies and other relevant stakeholders to execute on mission communications. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

•  Lead the development and execution of communications for assigned crew members and missions, aligning with company narrative and mission objectives
• Coordinate with crew and their agencies on communications efforts including media engagements, including interviews, press conferences, and public appearances
• Provide real-time communications support during mission milestones (training, launch, docking, on-orbit activities, return)
• Oversee approvals and review processes of mission assets including visuals and copy
• Partner with internal creative teams to produce content across press, digital, and social channels 
• Interface with NASA Public Affairs and communications teams to coordinate joint messaging and storytelling for partnered missions
• Manage submission, review, and approval processes for photo, video, and communications assets in accordance with NASA guidelines
• Ensure compliance with NASA branding, usage rights, and distribution requirements
• Coordinate access to and integration of NASA-provided assets, including imagery and live feeds
• Serve as primary communications liaison with international partner agencies representing crew members’ home countries (e.g., ESA, JAXA, CSA, etc.)
• Align messaging, branding, and communications plans across partner agencies and Vast
• Coordinate joint press opportunities, announcements, and public engagement campaigns with international partners
• Support localization and translation of content for international audiences
• Manage inbound media inquiries related to crew members and missions and route them to the right stakeholder 
• Collaborate with legal, policy, and mission teams to ensure all communications meet regulatory and contractual requirements
• Maintain detailed tracking of approvals, assets, and usage rights across multiple stakeholders
• Support on other internal approvals process for the Communications team including research paper publishing

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5–7 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or related fields
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments, including external partners or government agencies
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple timelines, approvals, and deliverables
• Ability to translate technical or operational concepts into clear, compelling narratives
• Experience supporting live events or real-time communications in high-pressure environments

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of experience working with a government agency
• Experience working with or alongside government agencies (e.g., NASA or international space agencies)
• Familiarity with human spaceflight, aerospace, or highly technical industries
• Experience managing photo/video production workflows and asset approvals
• Experience working across international teams and navigating cross-cultural communications
• Strong understanding of media landscape, including broadcast, digital, and social platforms
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, operations, legal, and executive teams
• Experience in a startup or fast-paced, evolving environment
• High attention to detail, particularly in regulated or approval-heavy environments
• A strong interest in space, exploration, and emerging spaceflight capabilities

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, to support mission-critical milestones and real-time operations as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.