Communications Director

Communications Director Who We Are:

Populous has designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground-breaking live music venues.
Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves.
We're a global specialized design firm with local roots in 11 cities across the Americas.
Populous offers the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.

What We Offer:

Professional Development & Training Programs + Summer Hours + Onsite Gym + Hybrid Schedule + Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams + Wedding Pay + Freaky Fridays + Charitable Match Program + Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.

Who We Are Looking For:

Reporting to the Brand Strategy Director, Americas, the Communications Director will play a key leadership role within our Brand Strategy and Pursuits team.
The ideal candidate will have a proven history of developing, executing, and measuring successful communication strategies and campaigns.
You will be asked to present examples of how you measured the success of key campaigns and demonstrate how your work aligned with and supported broader business objectives.

This strategic communications role requires expertise in creating both internal and external strategies, processes, campaigns, and reporting.
As the Communications Director, you will lead a cross-functional team of dedicated professionals in PR, copywriting, internal communications, and social media.

The successful candidate will be self-driven, adept at managing multiple priorities, and enthusiastic about designing and delivering innovative communications campaigns that inspire your team and drive business results.

Our preferred candidate will have prior experience in the AEC industry and an interest in working in a dynamic global design environment with a diverse range of public assembly building types including sports venues, convention centers, and transportation facilities.

Strategic work you'll focus on: Collaborate with the Brand Strategy Director, Americas, and Global Head of Communications & PR to develop annual strategic communication plans with SMART goals aligned with key company objectives. Monitor performance against goals by tracking monthly metrics across channels; leverage data to refine annual and quarterly communication strategies. Manage the annual budget for internal and external communications initiatives. Lead a team of 3-5 members responsible for content creation, copywriting, and communications across various platforms (e.g., intranet, email, town halls, in-office signage), establishing standards and processes to ensure timely, consistent, and impactful delivery. Oversee the creation and execution of a yearly editorial calendar for internal and external communications (e.g., social media, press, internal comms), ensuring timely content delivery with stakeholder alignment. Design, implement, and evaluate communication strategies for employee-focused initiatives, such as annual reports, social impact/CSR reporting, onboarding programs, and special projects as required. Partner with the Brand Strategy Director, Americas, and Global Head of Communications & PR to refresh strategic messaging by gathering input from global leadership; develop a global dissemination plan to ensure consistent brand messaging across regions. Collaborate with the Brand Strategy Director, Americas, and PR Manager, Americas, to develop key messaging pillars for external PR firms, ensuring alignment between internal messaging and external press coverage. Oversee the production of a monthly Americas newsletter and a quarterly global newsletter, with a focus on writing on behalf of C-suite executives. Develop a proactive internal communications strategy to manage organizational changes, ensuring employees remain informed and engaged.
The strategy should define audience segments, communication timing, and metrics to measure effectiveness. Enhance existing internal communication tools (e.g., town halls, intranet, newsletters) and develop new ones to improve employee experience and awareness of business initiatives, company purpose, and values. Lead the communications team's professional development, conducting regular one-on-one meetings to provide feedback, guidance, and support for career growth. What Your Day Could Consist Of: Oversee copywriting for various communication needs, including articles, marketing materials, advertising, videos, and internal communications.
While our internal copywriters handle most tasks, you will be expected to write projects from inception to completion based on workload and priority.
A deep understanding of our brand voice will enable you to copyedit all written content to ensure alignment with our identity. Collaborate with project managers to identify key project milestones and integrate them into the external communications strategy and editorial calendar. Interface with marketing and communications teams at client organizations to develop tailored communication strategies for projects. Mentor junior team members in creating engaging, strategic content that emphasizes current markets, explores new growth opportunities, and reflects our brand's voice, style, and tone. Develop project plans for annual reports and regular check-ins (monthly or quarterly) to ensure timely delivery of required reports by year-end. Provide support for event planning initiatives as needed. Requirements For Success: Extensive expertise in developing, executing, and reporting on communication strategies. Strong ability to engage with diverse groups, build robust networks, and establish credibility within the organization to advance projects effectively. Proven organizational and project management skills. Exceptional communication skills, encompassing verbal, technical, and creative writing, along with proficiency in proofreading and editing. Capable of working independently, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and delivering successful outcomes within deadlines. Positive demeanor, resourceful, and skilled in problem-solving. Committed to nurturing junior talent and fostering a collaborative team environment.
Essential Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field. Over 10 years of experience in internal and external communications or corporate communications roles, with a focus on supporting HR and/or DEI program communications. More than 5 years of experience in the Marketing and Communications field, preferably within the Architecture, Engineering, or Construction industries. Over 5 years of experience in managing a multidisciplinary communications team.
Additional details: Travel may be required. Occasional overtime may be required.

Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages.
We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, flexible spending accounts, paid time off and continuing education benefits.
Populous is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

No.
1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company

One of the 50 most innovative companies in the world for 2022 by Fast Company

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1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine's Top 100 Giants

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1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD+C

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1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD+C

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1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD+C

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