communications director

Simply Put, A Great Place to Work Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country - creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference. We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you'll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share. At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. We are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don't be so hard on yourself-apply for the job! Communications Director Benesch is seeking a Communications Director to lead our company-wide communications strategy and strengthen how we connect with employees, clients, industry partners, and communities. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for shaping Benesch's voice, messaging, and brand across internal and external communications, thought leadership, digital channels, social media, and the Benesch website. The ideal candidate is a strategic communications leader and exceptional storyteller who can translate complex business, technical, and strategic topics into clear, compelling communications. This individual will serve as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and leaders across Benesch while leading a talented communications team and partnering closely with technical experts, business leaders, and other internal teams. This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping Benesch's reputation, strengthening our presence within the AEC industry, and telling the story of our people, projects, culture, and employee ownership. Location This position offers a hybrid work schedule with the flexibility to work from any Benesch office location. Fully remote arrangements may be considered for candidates who are not located near a Benesch office. The Impact You Will Have 1. Develop and lead an integrated, company-wide communications strategy aligned with Benesch's business objectives, strategic priorities, and brand. 2. Identify opportunities to strengthen Benesch's reputation, visibility, and market position within the AEC industry and the communities we serve. 3. Serve as a strategic communications advisor to executive leadership and leaders across the organization. 4. Lead stewardship of the Benesch brand and ensure consistent application and continued evolution of our visual identity, voice, and messaging. 5. Lead the strategy and ongoing development of Benesch's website, digital communications channels, and social media presence. 6. Develop and execute communications strategies that strengthen employees' understanding of Benesch's strategy, business performance, culture, employee ownership, and company initiatives. 7. Oversee internal company-wide communications and develop effective strategies for reaching employees across offices, disciplines, and geographies. 8. Partner with executive leadership and internal teams on communications related to company initiatives, organizational changes, employee programs, culture, and other key business priorities. 9. Partner with technical experts and business leaders to develop compelling thought leadership content that demonstrates Benesch's expertise and strengthens our position within the markets we serve. 10. Lead media relations and identify opportunities to increase Benesch's visibility through industry publications, conferences, digital channels, and other relevant platforms. 11. Oversee website content, messaging, user expe ience, and ongoing content strategy in partnership with internal and external technical resources. 12. Ensure communications campaigns are coordinated across internal communications, external communications, digital platforms, social media, and other channels. 13. Identify emerging digital platforms, tools, technologies, and communications practices that can strengthen Benesch's ability to reach and engage key audiences. 14. Establish measures of effectiveness and leverage communications and digital analytics to evaluate performance and continuously improve strategies and programs. 15. Lead, develop, and mentor communications team members while coordinating specialized work across marketing managers, specialists, coordinators, and external partners. 16. Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement across the communications function. 17. Represent Benesch and the Communications team in industry events, professional organizations, conferences, and other external engagements as appropriate. What We Are Looking For Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field. 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, marketing communications, or a related field. Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies across internal and external audiences. Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and content development skills, with the ability to translate complex business, technical, and strategic topics into clear and compelling communications. Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and senior business leaders on strategic communications. Experience leading and developing communications or marketing professionals and coordinating specialized teams or external partners. Strong understanding of brand strategy, positioning, reputation management, and integrated marketing communications. Experience managing corporate websites, digital communications, social media, and content strategy. Experience developing thought leadership content and positioning technical experts and business leaders as industry voices. Experience with internal communications strategies and communicating company strategy, organizational changes, culture, and employee initiatives. Experience with media relations and building relationships with industry publications and other external media outlets. Strong understanding of communications and digital analytics with the ability to use data and insights to evaluate effectiveness and improve programs. Strong business acumen and ability to connect communications strategies and priorities to broader business objectives. Strong leadership, collaboration, relationship-building, and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels. Demon