Sr. Manager, External Affairs and Communications

Job Description

We’re looking for a strategic storyteller who can turn complex ideas into clear, compelling communications that influence employees, customers, investors, government stakeholders, and the public.

This role blends exceptional writing with creative thinking, helping shape how our company shows up in the world. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable drafting a CEO keynote, developing an executive thought leadership strategy, creating government messaging, responding to breaking news, or dreaming up a campaign that no one else has thought of yet. This role may manage one or more professionals as the function grows.

What you will do:

Executive Communications

• Draft talking points and remarks for executive leadership.
• Write articles, LinkedIn content, opinion pieces and executive messaging.
• Develop messaging for major company announcements.
• Ensure leaders communicate with one clear, authentic voice.

External Affairs

• Develop communication strategies supporting government affairs, policy initiatives and strategic partnerships.
• Create messaging for customers, industry organizations, elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Partner with Public Affairs to support advocacy efforts and external engagement.

Corporate Storytelling

• Turn technical products and innovations into stories people actually understand.
• Lead messaging around company milestones, product launches and strategic initiatives.
• Build narratives that reinforce brand reputation and company purpose.

Media & Public Relations

• Draft press releases, media statements, FAQs and crisis communications.
• Prepare executives for interviews and speaking engagements.
• Support media outreach and reputation management.

Creative Campaign Development

• Generate fresh, unexpected ideas that help the company stand out.
• Build campaigns that people remember - not just announcements they read once.
• Explore new formats including video, podcasts, social content, and interactive storytelling.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner closely with Marketing, Government Affairs, Investor Relations, HR, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
• Translate highly technical information into clear messaging for multiple audiences.
• Ensure consistency across every external communication.

Team Leadership (if applicable)

• Coach and develop communications professionals.
• Prioritize work across multiple initiatives.
• Build scalable processes and editorial standards.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in executive communications, public affairs, corporate communications, journalism or related fields.
• Outstanding writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Experience writing for senior executives.
• Ability to quickly understand technical products, engineering concepts or complex business topics.
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting publicly traded companies.
• Experience in energy, manufacturing, industrial technology or government affairs.
• Experience managing communications during high-growth or transformational periods.
• Experience leading people or cross-functional project teams.

Working Conditions:

• This position requires occasional travel. The work environment includes a combination of office settings and interactions with employees in various work locations.
• Office Environment – must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figure; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. May be required to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.