Jobs at Zipline

About You and The Role

• Zipline’s long-range autonomous drone system is already delivering millions of medical products across Africa.
• As we expand in Nigeria, we’re seeking a Construction and Deployments Lead to oversee all construction and deployment activities nationwide.
• This senior role is responsible for delivering Zipline distribution centers across the country, leading in-country teams and driving execution excellence from site acquisition and permitting through construction, vendor management, and operational handover. You will serve as the central point of coordination between local teams and global stakeholders across Engineering, Supply Chain, Legal, Regulatory, and Partnerships, ensuring each launch meets Zipline’s global standards while adapting to Nigeria’s regulatory and operational context.
• You are a builder, leader, and systems thinker who can navigate complexity, align diverse stakeholders, and deliver results at scale.

What You’ll Do

• Own deployment strategy and execution for all new Zipline distribution centers across Nigeria.
• Lead cross-functional coordination between Nigeria teams and global stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of multiple deployments that consistently meets partner expectations.
• Partner with government agencies, regulators, and local authorities in Nigeria to secure permits, approvals, and strong working relationships.
• Identify and secure sites that meet Zipline’s technical, operational, and business requirements.
• Build and manage a high-performing network of Nigerian suppliers and contractors, ensuring cost-efficiency, quality, and reliability of site works.
• Manage in-country budgets, timelines, and resources, making tradeoffs that balance speed, cost, and long-term operational excellence.
• Help hire, develop, and lead a team of deployment project managers.
• Capture and implement lessons learned to continuously refine Zipline’s global deployment playbook.
• Provide clear, data-driven reporting on progress, risks, and performance to leadership.

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of experience in construction, engineering, or program management, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success delivering large-scale, technically complex projects within Nigeria, from concept to completion.
• Strong experience working with Nigerian regulatory bodies, permitting processes, and local contractor ecosystems (highly preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop in-country project teams.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and make strategic tradeoffs under pressure.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills – able to represent Zipline effectively with partners, contractors, and government officials.
• A systems mindset, with the ability to build scalable processes adapted to local context.
• Grit, adaptability, and resilience to thrive in uncertain, constantly changing environments.
• Willingness and ability to accommodate more than 50% travel within Nigeria.

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About You and The Role  

• Zipline is looking for a Head of Communications for Africa — a strategic leader who can set and drive an ambitious communications vision while also rolling up their sleeves to execute in a fast-paced, high-growth, resource-constrained environment.
• You will serve as a critical member of the Africa leadership team and a thought partner to senior executives.
• This role spans in-country marketing, external communications, internal communications, and executive communications, and requires someone who thrives as both a big-picture strategist and a hands-on operator.
• You will own Zipline’s narrative in Africa, strengthen our brand across markets, and help champion the impact Zipline creates for governments, partners, and communities.
• You understand what it takes to build trust with leaders, influence stakeholders, and guide decision-making during moments of opportunity and uncertainty.
• This role is open within Africa, preferably in one of the markets we have a presence in (Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Rwanda, Kenya), with frequent travel across the region.

What You’ll Do
External Communications & PR:

• Own Zipline Africa’s external communications strategy across all markets.
• Lead media relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, and proactive storytelling.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, industry groups, partners, and government stakeholders.
• Develop compelling narratives that communicate Zipline’s impact, innovation, and mission.
• Oversee press releases, media briefings, speaking engagements, conferences, and signature events.

Internal Communications:

• Drive internal communications for Africa, ensuring clarity, alignment, and visibility for key initiatives.
• Partner with Africa leadership to craft messages for All Hands, org-wide updates, and internal moments that build culture.
• Ensure communication systems scale across countries and teams.

Executive Communications:

• Prepare senior executives (including regional leadership) for key speeches, media opportunities, and strategic conversations.
• Develop messaging, presentations, briefing materials, and talking points.
• Ensure leaders communicate with clarity, alignment to global priorities, and cultural sensitivity across markets.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Africa leadership team.
• Partner closely with global communications while tailoring strategy to Africa’s unique context.
• Influence decision-making, challenge assumptions, and articulate the communications implications of business choices.
• Build and manage agency relationships (PR, digital, creative) and leverage them efficiently in a resource-constrained environment.
• Build and lead a small yet mighty in-house team.

What You’ll Bring
Must-Have Experience:

• 8 years of relevant professional experience and at least 2-3 years building/managing a team/function
• Significant leadership experience in communications, PR, crisis management, or strategic communications.
• Success working in high-growth, high-complexity environments and thriving with limited resources.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as both a strategic leader and hands-on executor.
• Experience navigating and communicating across multiple African markets.
• Strong judgment, narrative development skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to craft clear, compelling written and verbal communications for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing agencies and coordinating cross-functional partners.
• Professional polish and strong stakeholder presence.