PR & Marketing Lead

At Vessev, we’re defining a new category of marine transport: hydrofoiling electric vessels that are genuinely better for people and the planet. With strong momentum, global interest, and major milestones ahead, we’re looking for someone to help build our reputation and tell our story to the world.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the presence of a category-defining, New Zealand startup from the earliest stage. There’s so much scope to make this role your own, and we want you to create something you’re insanely proud of.

You’ll be joining a small and tight-knit marketing team that is deeply passionate about what we do and how we do it.

The role

This role is all about top-of-funnel storytelling. Growing our awareness, trust, credibility and category leadership. You'll build our reputation and reach through PR, thought leadership, awards, podcasts and creators, events, and anything else that will help us create momentum.

You’ll work closely with the head of marketing and the rest of the marketing team from social and content, to growth and design. PR is core to this role, as well as marketing more broadly. Everyone has something they own, and everyone jumps in to help out across the board.

What you’ll be doing

• PR strategy and planning – Building and owning our PR strategy, and planning how we drive a drumbeat of coverage throughout the year.
• Media relations – Leading PR for the New Zealand market, proactively pitching and finding the hooks that put Vessev into the right conversations.
• Contractor management – Managing, briefing and supporting our in-market PR contractors globally.
• Awards – Identifying relevant award opportunities and owning submissions end to end.
• Thought leadership – Developing thought leadership content and opportunities for our leadership team
• Podcasts & speaking – Sourcing and securing podcast and speaking opportunities that build our reputation and reach.
• Events & roadshow – Helping to plan and deliver events outside of New Zealand.
• Influencer and creator partnerships – Leading our influencer and creator partnerships, with input from the Social & Content Lead.
• Brand campaigns – Partnering with the Head of Marketing on relevant brand campaigns, helping shape the story we're telling and how it lands.
• Copywriting – Writing clear, engaging, on-brand copy from website and blogs to email marketing and press releases.
• Staying sharp – Keeping across industry trends, competitor activity, and relevant news, and tracking what's landing well so we can keep refining our approach.

About you

You don’t need to be an expert in marine, hydrofoiling, or electric transport. What matters most is that you’re intelligent, willing to muck in, and care about doing meaningful work.

You're a PR professional with real marketing or brand experience alongside it, you understand how PR connects to the bigger picture, not just as a standalone function. You're naturally curious and take the time to understand how things work. You'll be as interested in the engineering of our foils as you are in the stories we tell.

We’re looking for someone with

• 5+ years' experience in PR, with genuine exposure to broader marketing or brand work
• Media relations experience and a genuine enthusiasm for pitching and building relationships with journalists
• Excellent writing skills and a natural feel for storytelling and brand voice
• Experience writing award entries and thought leadership pieces
• Comfortable project managing events
• Experience managing or working alongside external contractors or agencies
• A hands-on, can-do attitude, no job's too big or small
• Enough curiosity to get under the skin of technical subject matter and craft it into stories people actually want to hear

About us

We’re here to set a better world in motion – cleaner air, better commutes, and deeper connections with nature and each other. Our hydrofoiling electric vessels use up to 90% less energy than traditional boats, unlocking entirely new commercial opportunities.

We’re backed by top-tier investors including Blackbird Ventures, and our team includes talent from the America’s Cup, Rocketlab, Halter, Apple, and leading climate startups. But titles don’t matter. What matters is how we show up: with purpose, humility, and a restless optimism for what’s possible.

We’re office-first but not office-only. We believe in building together, in person, where the real magic happens. That said, we trust our team to do what’s right and we know life isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Why our people love Vessev

• We’re building something different – from how we move on the water to the kind of team and workplace we’re creating.
• The chance to work on technology that can drive real, lasting impact in the world.
• A team of exceptional and collaborative humans.
• 20 weeks fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers, and 4 weeks for secondary (conditions apply).
• Competitive salaries that reflect the value of the work.
• Being on the water is part of our job – from trips on our vessels to our offices that border the Tamaki River.
• And if the water’s where you want to be, you’ll be in good company. You’ll find no shortage of boaters, beach goers, sailors, foilers, surfers, and kiteboarders here.

Apply now

To apply, please send us your CV and a short cover letter that gives us a sense of who you are and why this role feels like the right fit.

Research shows that women and other under-represented groups often only apply when they meet every requirement, even though they could be an excellent fit. If you see yourself doing great work here but don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re building a team where everyone has the chance to do their best work.