SWA Communications Director

Who we are

SWA is a network of eight landscape architecture, planning and urban design studios ross the US and China. Our independently led offices sit in major coastal cities and urban hubs across the globe.

Collectively, SWA utilizes innovation, creativity, originality and research to create the most livable places for today and tomorrow.

SWA is seeking an experienced leader to drive firmwide communications and participate in marketing operations. This role at SWA will help to shape and define the overarching narrative for our business and to elevate and convey our services to all of the relevant audiences. As SWA’s Communications Director, you will help bolster external awareness of SWA as a leader in landscape architecture, urban design and planning, as well as support internal communications between studios. We are interested in a self-motivated and creative-minded individual, preferably with experience related to landscape architecture, land planning, urban design, architecture or environmental design. This role will work with our executive leadership to communicate our mission concept, implement global communications, develop marketing and business strategies across multiple markets,

This critical role will ensure that SWA’s market-leading approach, design expertise, public outreach and research initiatives are well known by our clients and allied professionals. The right candidate will know how to create and share high-quality content (video, print, social media, etc.) and connect with our audience through media outreach, campaigns, announcements, editorial placements, events and speaking opportunities.

• Takes an entrepreneurial approach to communications—meaning you can set a high-level strategy and get hands-on with the details
• Thrives in a collaborative firm culture. Your marketing and storytelling skills will be an integral part of our diverse and talented team, guiding growth of our global practice
• Displays excitement and ambition for a role that has access to some of the world’s most interesting projects, both nationally and internationally
• Seeks an intellectually stimulating and creative work environment: we are an idea-driven firm; great design aspirations guide all aspects of our work

Internal Communications:

• Lead internal engagement strategies and create high-quality leadership communications and new content that effectively connects our employees and studios
• Develop internal comms and employee engagement strategies and narratives for teams and channels
• Partner with stakeholders to align comms approaches and strategy to the broader company roadmap

External Communications

• Provide strategic insight, direction and counsel to key stakeholders and leaders on the communication approach and messaging, developing relationships to become a trusted partner and influence outcomes
• Celebrate and promote our design talent and achievements and convey the strategic goals and purpose of our business services to the broader firm, media and industry
• Set strategic direction for content distribution channels; identify and manage specialists as necessary to execute production and management
• Measure and improve the effectiveness of messaging, channels, and practices
• Serve as copy editor and/or ghostwriter for leaders as necessary

Brand Stewardship and Leadership

• Infuse the vision of the organization into all internal and external messaging
• Continually and meaningfully connect “the why” to “the what” in brand communications
• Drive team building and mentorship for firmwide marketing staff
• Work collaboratively with a diversely skilled team of photographers, graphic designers, marketing staff, resource librarian and videographers
• Plan, lead, curate, collaborate and assist in the creation of digital, video, audio and print content
• Make sure all company materials have consistent and positive messaging and branding
• In concert with the CFO/COO, advise on the marketing and communications budget

• Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in communications,
  public relations, marketing, advertising or other relevant industries.

• Superior storytelling skills to engage designers, craft a brief and design compelling communication campaigns around projects, outreach initiatives or research endeavors
• Ability to understand and integrate into the firm’s unique multi-studio culture
• Self-driven, creative individual with ability to generate ideas, self-manage, take direction and proactively direct on-going communications and marketing initiatives
• Professional demeanor with a positive, solution-seeking attitude and sense of personal responsibility
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to plan and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• In-depth knowledge of best writing and messaging practices for business correspondence, public relations, advertising, marketing and sales copy and social media
• Strong technical and persuasive writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Demonstrated results getting story placements and media coverage and managing crisis communications
• Experience leading and motivating staff to produce high-level, brand-driven content
• Analytical skills to solve problems and find the best way to convey a message
• An ability to communicate cross-generationally
• The technological ability to work on a variety of digital platforms and also create web and mobile content
• Strong writing and editing skills, with a capacity for SEO-friendly headlines and content
• Experience using CRM to capture and manage leads
• Work collaboratively with internal and external imaging professionals