Principal External Communications Manager

About the role

C.H. Robinson is seeking a Principal External Communications Manager to shape and elevate the company's external narrative as it transforms into a Lean AI-enabled technology platform. The role involves developing and executing integrated communications strategies to support business priorities, strengthen brand visibility, and engage key external audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support business priorities, strengthen brand visibility, and engage key external audiences
• Partner with senior leaders, technical stakeholders, and business teams to translate complex topics into clear, compelling stories for media, customers, investors, carriers, employees, and industry audiences
• Create high-impact content across PR, media relations, social media, blogs, executive messaging, speeches, thought leadership, events, and enterprise communications
• Lead storytelling around technology, AI, agentic supply chains, global commerce, and business transformation in a way that is relevant, credible, and market-facing
• Build and manage media, influencer, and stakeholder relationships that generate awareness, strengthen reputation, and support commercial goals
• Use audience insights, analytics, and performance metrics to refine messaging, improve engagement, and inform future communication strategies
• Lead proactive and reactive communications, including media outreach, executive visibility opportunities, brand-risk monitoring, and crisis response
• Manage complex, cross-functional, and global communications projects with strong judgment, polish, and executive presence
• Bring a strategic communications lens to major business initiatives, helping leaders uncover stories, sharpen messages, and drive meaningful audience action

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum 6 years of communications experience and proven track record of successfully communicating to large audiences, including press, to inspire change, enhance engagement and mitigate risk
• Strong writing, storytelling and sharp, error-free editing skills
• Ability to travel up to 10% (domestic and international)
• Experience in technology communications, technology or product marketing and/or public relations, AI story telling
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Qualifications

• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume, results-driven environment
• Hightly organized and detail-oriented, with strong prioritization and time management skills
• Effective collaborator across functions, levels, and teams
• Trusted strategic advisor and influencer who builds strong, cross-functional relationships
• Promotes teamwork and contributes to a positive, collaborative culture
• Stays current on industry trends and proactively drives innovation and continuous improvement
• Leads and influences change effectively across a large, matrixed organization
• Values a diverse and inclusive work environment

Skills

• Strategic storytelling
• Media relations
• Public speaking
• Thought leadership
• Event planning
• Analytics and data-driven decision making

Benefits

• Three medical plans
• Prescription drug coverage
• Enhanced Fertility benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (with employer contribution)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid observed holidays
• 2 paid floating holidays for U.S. hourly employees
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) offered to U.S. salaried employees
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off to volunteer in your community
• Charitable Giving Match Program
• 401(k) with 6% company matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Pay

$98,900.00 - $167,100.00

Schedule

Full-time, with the option to work remotely two days a week.

Equal Opportunity

C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace and performance culture that reflects the strengths of our worldwide marketplace. We value unique experiences and diverse backgrounds of our people within our company, our business relationships, and our communities.