Communications Manager

HR on Demand; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HR On Demand is seeking a Communications Manager to lead corporate, product, and executive communications as the brand expands from a DIY PC community into enterprise-grade hardware and data center solutions.

You will shape how the company is perceived by media, analysts, partners, and the public, driving programs for major product launches, industry events, and executive visibility, while coordinating with Marketing, Product, Leadership, and PR/agency partners.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in communications or public relations, leading media strategy for a consumer or technical product brand.
• Strong track record of securing earned media coverage and managing press relationships in technology, gaming, or related industry.
• Experience drafting press releases, statements, briefing materials, and executive communications.
• Experience managing or supporting crisis and issues communications.
• Comfortable working closely with Product and Engineering teams to explain technical detail credibly to media and public audiences.
• Willingness to travel internationally (~15%) and onsite in the LA/City of Industry area.

Responsibilities

• Own communications strategy and messaging; build press/analyst relationships; lead launch press strategy; manage inquiries and draft press materials.
• Support thought leadership, speaking opportunities, and media/event prep (CES, Computex, etc.).
• Build launch comms plans with Product Marketing; coordinate embargoes, review units, and press logistics.
• Own crisis protocols; act as first responder; draft statements with Legal/Leadership; monitor sentiment.
• Keep messaging credible with the builder community; partner with Community/Social; use community insight to inform planning.
• Manage PR agencies; localize for global markets; partner with Marketing, Product, Legal, and HR on internal comms.

Skills

Media relations

Press strategy

Executive communications

Crisis management

Global collaboration

Strong writing

Job description

HR On Demand (HROD) is a Texas-based, full-service HR partner helping global companies establish and grow their U.S. operations. We provide end-to-end HR solutions — from talent acquisition and payroll to compliance, employee relations, and organizational development. Backed by Fortune 500 HR leadership experience, we help businesses build compliant, high-performing teams and navigate the complexities of the U.S. market with confidence.

We're posting this role on behalf of our client, a globally recognized manufacturer of PC hardware and cooling technology, known for decades of engineering-driven thermal innovation — from cases and liquid/air cooling to power supplies, peripherals, and modular building platforms — and now expanding that expertise into enterprise and AI data center cooling solutions.

Role Overview

We're looking for a Communications Manager to lead corporate, product, and executive communications as the brand pushes beyond the DIY PC-building community into a broader technology and enterprise cooling company.

This role sits at the intersection of narrative strategy and hands-on execution. You'll shape how the company is perceived by media, industry analysts, partners, and the public — building a communications program that supports everything from major product launches and industry events to executive visibility and crisis response. You'll partner closely with Marketing, Product, Leadership, and PR/agency partners to ensure the company's story is told consistently and credibly across every channel and audience, from the enthusiast builder community to enterprise and trade press.

The ideal candidate has experience leading communications for a consumer technology, hardware, or engineering-driven brand, with a track record of securing meaningful media coverage and managing communications through both growth moments and sensitive situations. Experience supporting a brand's expansion into a new market segment (e.g., enterprise, B2B, or a new category) is a strong plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Corporate & Media Relations — Own communications strategy and messaging; build press/analyst relationships; lead launch press strategy; manage inquiries and draft press materials.
• Executive Communications — Support thought leadership, speaking opportunities, and media/event prep (CES, Computex, etc.).
• Product & Launch Communications — Build launch comms plans with Product Marketing; coordinate embargoes, review units, and press logistics.
• Crisis & Issues Management — Own crisis protocols; act as first responder; draft statements with Legal/Leadership; monitor sentiment.
• Community Communications — Keep messaging credible with the builder community; partner with Community/Social; use community insight to inform planning.
• Agency & Cross-Functional Management — Manage PR agencies; localize for global markets; partner with Marketing, Product, Legal, and HR on internal comms.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related discipline, including experience leading media/PR strategy for a consumer or technical product brand.
• Strong track record of securing earned media coverage and managing press relationships in technology, gaming, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience drafting press releases, statements, briefing materials, and executive communications.
• Experience managing or supporting crisis and issues communications.
• Comfortable working closely with Product and Engineering teams to understand technical detail well enough to communicate it credibly to media and public audiences.
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level — from communications strategy to drafting a press release under deadline.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.Experience working across global markets and with internationally distributed teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally approximately 15% of the time (including major industry events).
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Los Angeles / City of Industry area and able to work onsite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience communicating to a technical enthusiast or "builder" community (PC hardware, automotive modification, maker/DIY, etc.).
• Experience in enterprise, B2B, or data center/infrastructure communications.
• Experience communicating about thermal, cooling, or hardware/engineering-related products.
• Experience supporting a brand's repositioning or expansion into a more premium or enterprise-facing market.
• Familiarity with major industry trade shows (CES, Computex, or similar) and press cadences tied to them.
• Mandarin Chinese language skills are preferred but not required.
• Experience working closely with teams or headquarters in Asia.