Director of External Communications

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. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day 1. 
 

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

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. 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  

The Team

Black & Veatch’s Enterprise Evolution organization consists of critical functions focused on identifying market opportunities and bringing together our client facing and growth efforts. Functions include Enterprise Marketing & Communications, Enterprise Sales, Enterprise Strategy, Innovation, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Sustainability. 

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; 
• Creates plans and executes to develop relationships with key strategic reports and media outlets; 
• Facilitates proactive media tours and press briefings; 
• Proactive in bringing ideas to leadership on how to advance sector storytelling to advance the Black & Veatch brand, in the U.S. and globally; 
• 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 stories and content ideas for the Black & Veatch Newsroom working closely with marketing and sector colleagues. 
• Serve as a vital member of the media relations team and periodically represent the company on inbound press inquiries. 

Management Responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of contemporary media management including traditional and online digital news ecosystems; 
• 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

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications or related business field, with 12+ 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 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.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Normal office environment with a hybrid work schedule: 3 days in office and 2 days remote 

Salary Plan

Job Grade