Corporate Communications Director

About Us

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts, and artists. That’s why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

Role Overview

As a member of the Corporate Development Team, you’ll report to the Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, you’ll drive and direct communications on company priorities, brand, employee experience, client experience, strategic plan implementation, and engagement. You’ll manage a senior team of communications professionals responsible for executing and supporting HDR’s internal and external communications efforts, and you’ll partner with executives, senior leaders, and staff across the entirety of HDR. Your focus will be on developing, executing, and measuring high-impact communication initiatives to engage our diverse global audiences and bolster confidence in HDR’s strategic direction and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Collaboration and Partnership

• Develop and lead the implementation of a comprehensive, cohesive communication strategy in existing and emerging markets.
• Articulate the strategic vision for the company, key initiatives, key pursuit wins, transformative outcomes of our work, community investments, and employment opportunities.
• Partner closely with senior executives, HR, IT, legal, accounting, and communications professionals to provide strategic counsel on employee communication efforts.
• Collaborate with corporate and business group communications teams to foster a culture of collaboration and consensus.
• Cultivate relationships with executive leadership as a communication expert.
• Strengthen a cohesive one-HDR approach across all business groups.

Employee Engagement

• Support the development and execution of an employee engagement communications strategy.
• Use data surveys and focus groups to provide insights to leadership.
• Amplify employee engagement activities across various communication channels.
• Direct the development and implementation of an internal employee communications framework.
• Build a community of communications and employee engagement professionals to drive consistency in employee experiences.

Consistency in Messaging

• Drive consistency of messaging throughout HDR and develop templates for common company communications.
• Provide a consistent framework to enhance the HDR experience for Business Group Conferences.
• Direct executive communication messaging and events to support leaders in articulating company priorities.
• Provide guidance on overall timing of various communication messages to maximize impact.

Strategic Communication

• Deliver internal messages aligned with company strategy in a creative and engaging manner.
• Support the development and execution of an external brand communications strategy.
• Establish communication metrics to measure strategy execution success.
• Support and lead cross-company conferences and annual meetings.

Who You Are

You have keen insight into the business dynamics that drive the architecture, engineering planning, and consulting business. Your industry intuition provides you with a strategic perspective on how all communications with employees, clients, communities, associations, and public leaders shape how our organization is perceived and valued. You have high levels of emotional intelligence and know how to build rapport with diverse teams around a common vision. You thrive on a collaborative, creative approach that achieves communication objectives, reflects who we are, and inspires every audience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of broad experience in the Architectural/Engineering consulting industry.
• Experience delivering broad communication strategies to both internal and external audiences preferred.
• 15+ years of successful communications experience partnering with senior executives.
• Consensus-building, collaborative leadership style.
• Dynamic communication skills to present new ideas, challenge norms, build trust, and collaborate across the global enterprise.
• Proven track record in developing and executing communication campaigns.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, decisive, and forward-thinking.
• Resilient and results-driven with effective leadership in a matrix organization.
• Must work from a primary HDR office. Omaha, NE home office location is preferred. If not based in Omaha, must be able to travel (30%-35%) of the time.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time away and parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan with employer match
• Employee referral bonus
• Tuition reimbursement

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location: $122,570 – $201,365.

Learn more here