Regional Director of Media & Story Telling

Job Summary

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success. 
As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With more than 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference. 

Close date for applications will be 11.59pm on Friday 20th June 2025. 

Why Black and Veatch
Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. 
 
Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

The Opportunity

Based from London or Glasgow, as a key member of Black & Veatch’s External Communications team you will be responsible to lead and be accountable for driving the communication plan of the company’s brand, values, purpose, vision, capabilities and accomplishments across all traditional, emerging and online media in regions outside North America, working closely with the regional marketing colleagues. You will drive and foster proactive relationships with key media members, influencers and community leaders and be directly involved in key events to project thought leadership and protect BV’s reputation in the media and with external stakeholders. You will think in headlines, you’re a storyteller and you understand how communications can impact client and stakeholder perception and company performance.

The team you’ll be joining helps drive the public narrative of Black & Veatch as a leader in building our world’s critical human infrastructure and energy solutions to Build a World of Difference. You’ll be part of a team that is responsible for the governance, creation and controlled release of all news releases, external communication media pitches, reports, talking points for executives with the media and in support of public speaking opportunities and meetings that represent Black & Veatch’s operations, reputation, capabilities and accomplishments. 

This role will report to the Senior Director of External Communications, based in the US. 

Key Responsibilities

•    Contribute to development of an annual external global marketing communications plan that aligns with the BV enterprise strategy and drives a programmatic and proactive presence in target publications, tv, radio and social media;
•    The ideal candidate will demonstrate a market-forward philosophy with content and media relations, proactively researching and pitching strategic media outlets (specifically, in support of designated company sectors, quickly assess spokesperson bench, storylines and message documents, target media and map out an integrated communications plan;
•    Establish regional communications programs that support local business and marketing strategies facilitating proactive media tours and press briefings with local leadership;
•    Creates plans and executes to develop relationships with key strategic reports and media outlets;
•    Proactive in bringing ideas to leadership on how to advance sector storytelling to advance the Black & Veatch brand in key strategic countries in Europe and Middle East, and Asia Pacific;
•    Thinks in headlines and works to generate media coverage that helps advance the Black & Veatch brand and our value proposition;
•    Willing to expand knowledge base beyond strong writing to embrace contemporary metrics reporting and digital marketing skills (organic SEO, Google analytics metrics, others);
•    Demonstrate a growth and learning mindset to expand marketing expertise, storytelling and media relations skills, and implementation of new digital platforms (e.g. AI, ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot);
•    Comfortable building rapport with senior executives and can coach on message delivery and preparations for media interviews;
•    Facilitates just-in-time communications and media responsibilities, serving as a calming, executive voice and facilitator for corporate response as events and needs emerge; 
•    Has strong crisis communications mindset and is always mindful of potential for the Black & Veatch brand to be tarnished in media coverage;
•    Contribute to Black & Veatch Newsroom working with regional business and marketing colleagues to demonstrate company’s global presence;
•    Serve as a vital member of the media relations team and periodically represent the company on inbound press inquiries. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications or related business field is desirable but not essential.

•  Strong understanding of contemporary media management including traditional and online digital news ecosystems;
•    Strong knowledge of media standards in Europe and Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with ability to establish relationships on behalf of the company;
•    English first speaker and writer, additional languages of Spanish, Arabic and German are a plus but not required;
•    Client and market understanding, and ability to align strategic initiatives with business objectives and stakeholder needs;
•    Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, and ability to build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization;
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an adaptive mindset to drive innovation and continuous improvement;
•    Ability to collaborate and influence across all levels of the organization, and to lead cross-functional teams to achieve the diverse communications goals;
•    Be willing and able to travel as appropriate (up to 25%, but seasonal around key events) to support events regarding BV’s engagement with the media, key influencers and to support executives as appropriate;
•    Good experience in crisis management and communications and be able to react quickly and appropriately to negative media coverage. 
•    To excel in this position, you should be flexible and adaptable. You can ‘go with the flow’ in a fast-paced and ever-changing working environment;
•    It’s essential that you can be strategic and forward-thinking while taking initiative;
•    Ability to make decisions quickly within high pressure situations;
•    Outgoing personality with a positive attitude, and you enjoy working in cross-functional teams. 

Minimum Qualifications

Proven years of experience in media relations, corporate communications, journalism and B2B marketing. A proven track record of driving quantifiable outcomes regarding share of voice, press coverage and corporate positioning, preferably within the engineering & construction and energy industries or related industries.

All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.