Corporate Communications Manager- External Relations & Strategic Engagement

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025!

Daikin Applied is seeking a Corporate Communications Manager - External Relations & Strategic Engagement to help shape and strengthen the company's external reputation. This role focuses on media relations, leadership visibility, thought leadership, and industry engagement.

You'll work closely with the Director of Corporate Communications, the broader marketing and communications organization, and cross functional teams across the organization to elevate Daikin Applied's voice in the market.

Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor!

Location: Plymouth, MN, Hybrid

What you will do

• Partner with Communications and PR teams to execute Daikin Applied's external communications strategy
• Develop narratives that reflect company priorities, market positioning, and leadership perspectives
• Help prepare leadership for media interviews, industry and investor events, customer meetings, and panel discussions, including talking points, background briefs, and message guidance
• Represent Corporate Communications in cross functional conversations tied to initiatives with external visibility
• Coordinate with Employee Communications when internal alignment or sequencing is needed

• Lead day-to-day media relations: write press releases, pitch stories, manage interviews, and drive followup
• Build strong relationships with trade, business, and industry reporters
• Identify proactive PR opportunities tied to innovation, customer impact, sustainability, and business momentum
• Collaborate with PR partners and cross functional communications teams to maintain consistent, high-quality media engagement
• Prepare leadership for media conversations through message refinement, Q&A support, and prep discussions
• Track media coverage, sentiment, message pull through, and share of voice
• Support reactive communications and issue-related response with sound judgment and speed

• Build thought leadership platforms for senior leaders, including bylines, op-eds, keynote remarks, and industry commentary
• Manage speaking engagements, conference submissions, award entries, and recognition programs
• Translate technical or engineering content into clear, compelling external narratives
• Ensure message consistency across earned, owned, and leadership communication channels

• Oversee communications for reps, distributors, and channel partners that reinforce Daikin Applied's strategy and product value
• Work closely with Marketing partners to ensure alignment across field channels
• Coordinate with Employee Communications when employee enablement content is needed
• Support communications tied to product launches, commercialization milestones, and channel-focused initiatives

• Support communications planning for legislative visits, facility tours, and government or community engagement
• Develop briefing materials, talking points, and messaging for leadership participation in policy or stakeholder events
• Partner with Government Affairs to ensure accuracy and alignment

• Define KPIs across media relations, external storytelling, and thought leadership
• Report on coverage trends, sentiment, and campaign impact
• Conduct post-campaign evaluations and recommend improvements
• Coordinate with Internal Communications only when initiatives span both internal and external audiences

• Lead and develop direct reports, setting clear priorities and supporting strong execution
• Remove roadblocks and build team capability
• Foster a collaborative communications culture aligned to business goals

What's in it for you:

• The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth
• The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field
• 8-10 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations
• Strong portfolio of external-facing writing
• Experience managing agencies or direct reports
• Demonstrated ability to create PR strategies and measure performance
• Comfortable working in complex, matrixed environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in B2B, manufacturing, industrial, HVAC, or technology sectors
• Background in leadership visibility or thought leadership
• Exposure to public affairs, policy, or stakeholder communications
• Strong judgment and ability to navigate sensitive issues

You'll serve as a strategic partner to the Director of Corporate Communications and help shape how Daikin Applied shows up to customers,…