Environmental Social Governance Senior Director

Daikin Applied Americas • Plymouth, MN

4d • $142,600 - $250,900 • Hybrid

About The Position

Daikin Applied is seeking a Senior Director of Environmental Social Governance to lead the strategic direction and execution of Daikin Applied Americas’ corporate EHS and ESG programs. The role partners with executive leadership, site and district operations, and global EHS/ESG stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and embed a culture of safety and environmental stewardship across the organization. The position is hybrid in Plymouth, Minnesota.

The Senior Director leads enterprise-wide ESG strategy, sustainability initiatives, policies, governance, reporting, audits, risk management, training, industrial hygiene, and incident investigation. The role also leads ESG work related to mergers and acquisitions, reports metrics and strategic updates to executive leadership, collaborates across business functions, and represents the company with external stakeholders and government agencies. The position leads ESG professionals and works with Daikin Industries Limited on ESG implementation and tracking.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Environmental, Safety, or Industrial Hygiene discipline.
• CSP, CHMM, Certified Sustainability Professional, or equivalent certification.
• 12+ years of related experience, including 8+ years of people leadership experience.
• Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental, Safety, or Industrial Hygiene discipline.
• 15+ years of related experience, including 10+ years of people leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of enterprise-wide ESG strategies aligned with long-term business goals, integrating safety, environmental, and sustainability considerations into strategic planning, operations, and risk management.
• Champion corporate sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship, and guide sites in developing and achieving sustainability goals aligned with Daikin Industries Limited commitments.
• Develop and implement corporate ESG policies and procedures, and assist business leadership in developing, monitoring, and enforcing written EHS policies and practices.
• Lead ESG professionals, provide feedback and guidance, and assist leadership in creating team plans.
• Direct ESG due diligence, integration, and post-merger alignment for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; manage legacy environmental risks and ensure acquired entities comply with Daikin ESG standards.
• Support enterprise-wide ESG governance, strategy, and data transparency; align initiatives with global frameworks including DIL Sustainability Goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals; lead materiality assessments and GRI reporting.
• Present ESG metrics, risk trends, and strategic updates to the Daikin Applied Americas Executive Safety and Environmental Committee and executive leadership; represent corporate ESG in leadership meetings and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, Real Estate, Engineering, Finance, Compliance, Sales & Marketing, and Operations to integrate EHS and ESG principles into business practices, capital project reviews, product design, facility upgrades, and workforce planning.
• Serve as a senior corporate liaison with industry organizations, regulators, and third-party stakeholders to promote best practices, influence ESG regulations, and enhance Daikin’s external ESG profile.
• Contribute EHS and ESG insights to enterprise risk assessments, identify emerging risks, and lead cross-functional mitigation planning.
• Design and implement internal EHS/ESG auditing frameworks, oversee third-party audits, and support corrective action programs across business functions.
• Lead reviews and performance of severe incident investigations and ensure prompt corrective action to minimize future exposure and provide a legal record when needed.
• Set strategy for and lead development of an industrial hygiene program to monitor and control personal and general work-area exposures, including noise, heat stress, ergonomics, chemical exposure, and radiation.
• Monitor and evaluate site and district exposure to injury and loss risks, and inform and assist executive management with prevention and control actions.
• Set strategy for and develop effective EHS training programs for corporate and factory sites, and lead training delivery as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal EHS laws and regulations through annual seminars, classes, and training.
• Develop and implement systems to track required metrics, report results, and monitor performance for continuous improvement.
• Work with Daikin Industries Limited to implement and track ESG metrics, programs, policies, and procedures.
• Address immediate danger to life and health by implementing immediate protections, including removing equipment from service or stopping production or work.
• Serve as a secondary contact with local government agencies on ESG concerns, including permitting, tracking, inspections, and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement in ESG culture through change management, employee engagement, and communication that reinforces safety, ethical governance, and environmental stewardship.
• Perform other assigned tasks associated with environmental, health, and safety activities.

Benefits

• Multiple medical insurance plan options, plus dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions matching 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions and 50% on the next 2%.
• Company-provided life insurance, with optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance, dependent life coverage, and voluntary accident coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Three weeks of paid time off for new employees and 11 company-paid holidays.
• Paid sick time in accordance with applicable law.
• Paid parental leave after six months of continuous service.
• Tuition reimbursement after six months of continuous service.
• Annual base salary range of $142,600 to $250,900, plus a 30% bonus in Minnesota.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior