Director of Communications, APAC/ME (R4580)
Shield AI
Marketing & Communications
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Posted on Feb 20, 2026
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shield AI is seeking a Director of Communications, APAC/ME to lead our regional communications strategy. Priority markets include India, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore, with broader responsibility for ANZ and key ASEAN countries as the business scales. You will shape how Shield AI’s mission - to protect service members and civilians through intelligent systems and enable sovereign autonomy - is understood across APAC, establishing the company as a consistent and credible presence in top-tier regional media.
This role owns Shield AI’s APAC narrative and reputation end-to-end, from strategy through execution. You will build and scale a high-impact regional communications function while remaining personally engaged in priority initiatives, moments, and issues. Working closely with Global Communications, Government Relations, executive leadership, business development, and technical experts. The role combines strategic storytelling, analytical judgment, execution excellence, and people leadership at the intersection of advanced technology, public policy, and national interests.
How this role strategically impacts Shield AI:
APAC is one of the most strategically important and nuanced regions for AI, autonomy, and emerging technologies. This role will define how Shield AI is perceived across diverse political systems, cultures, and security environments at a moment when technology, sovereignty, and regional stability are deeply interconnected. It offers the opportunity to build a principled, regionally fluent communications capability from the ground up and to shape informed discourse around some of the most consequential technologies of our time.
What you'll do:
- Regional communications strategy. Develop and execute a APAC-wide external communications strategy aligned with Shield AI’s global narrative and tailored to diverse regional markets, regulatory environments, and stakeholder expectations. Translate global priorities into locally resonant messaging with speed and precision, balancing consistency with cultural and political nuance...e.
- Media, PR, and thought leadership. Secure frequent, high-impact media coverage across technology, business, policy, and trade press; manage reactive and issues-driven communications when required. Position Shield AI executives and subject-matter experts as credible voices on AI, autonomy, and complex technologies in high-stakes environments. Partner closely with Government Relations to ensure alignment between public messaging, policy engagement, and regulatory considerations.
- Analyst, think tank & ecosystem engagement. Own relationships with analysts, think tanks, and research institutions relevant to AI, emerging technology, security, and industrial policy. Design structured briefing programs and influence strategies that shape informed external understanding of Shield AI’s technology and approach.
- Customer references & proof points. Build and manage an APACcustomer reference program, including case studies, testimonials, events, and reference engagements -while navigating confidentiality, operational sensitivity, and approval processes. Support business development teams with credible third-party validation that accelerates trust and decision-making.
- Team & capability building. Build, scale, and lead a high-performing APAC communications team (internal hires, agencies, and partners) across priority markets. Establish clear operating rhythms, performance metrics, and development pathways aligned with Shield AI’s leadership and people standards.
- Strategic counsel & risk management. Act as a senior advisor to regional leadership on communications strategy, reputational risk, and sensitive issues involving advanced technology, geopolitics, or regulation. Lead scenario planning and crisis-communications readiness in partnership with Legal, Government Relations, and Global Comms.
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in external communications, PR, or public affairs, with senior leadership responsibility at regional or global level.
- Proven success driving top tier media coverage and managing complex international narratives for high growth or mission-driven technology companies in nuanced regulatory, political, or societal environments.
- Demonstrated success building and scaling teams and programs across APAC, including multi-country coordination from a central hub.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, synthesize technical and policy inputs, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and make effective communications trade-offs when information is incomplete or stakes are high.
- Comfort partnering closely with engineers, product leaders, government relations, and technical experts to build trust and craft accurate, responsible external narratives aligned with regulatory and stakeholder strategies.
- Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills; confidence advising senior leaders.
- Fluency in English required; additional regional languages (e.g. Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, or others) are a strong plus.
Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
