Communications Lead, UK & EU in London

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.

The role involves owning Wayve’s PR strategy and execution across several key functions, including corporate, policy, and product communications. You will be responsible for sustaining and growing Wayve’s reputation as a leading technology company in the UK and 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.

• 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, media preparation, and executive coaching.
• Travel as needed across Europe and other key markets on a monthly to quarterly basis depending on business needs.

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.

• 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.
• Experience managing external communications agencies and driving efficient and strong outcomes.
• Ability to operate independently in-market while collaborating closely with global and cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel across Europe and other markets as required.

• Experience in crisis communications or incident response, particularly in safety-critical, regulated or highly scrutinised industries.
• Experience in autonomous vehicles, mobility, automotive, AI, robotics, transport, public policy or emerging technology.
• Experience working across multiple European markets and adapting communications strategies country by country.
• Passion for helping build public understanding and trust in transformative technology.

Wayve is committed to creating an inclusive interview experience. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to participate fully in our interview process, please let us know. We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self-driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply. At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.