Communications Specialist

KPFF Consulting Engineers•Irvine, CA

7d•$107,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Within the Brand & Communications functional area, the Communications Specialist serves as the primary execution lead for the KPFF GLAS Brand & Communications function. The role implements brand standards, develops marketing communications, produces creative assets, and supports initiatives that strengthen the firm’s market presence. Working within firmwide standards established by Shared Services, the specialist develops and maintains branded materials, content, and visual resources that communicate the firm’s expertise, project experience, and market differentiation. The Communications Specialist collaborates with Principals, technical staff, consultants, and marketing team members on communications, market-visibility initiatives, and strategic pursuits. The position provides advanced creative, graphic, and presentation support for complex, high-priority pursuits and helps maintain consistency and quality across the firm’s marketing efforts. The role is based at the Irvine, California office during training and transitions to a hybrid schedule of two days per week in the office after successful completion of training. The position is non-exempt, with overtime paid at time-and-a-half.

Requirements

At least 15 years of relevant marketing, communications, graphic design, or professional-services marketing experience within the A/E/C industry or a related professional-services environment.
A portfolio demonstrating graphic design, brand implementation, communications, presentation, and marketing collateral work.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; working proficiency in Acrobat for production, quality control, and document management.
Strong understanding of brand implementation, visual identity systems, template development, graphic design, and communications best practices.
Experience developing and maintaining website and social media content, thought-leadership materials, project stories, and other marketing communications.
Experience supporting proposals, qualification packages, presentations, and pursuit-related deliverables under demanding schedules and deadlines.
Strong visual and graphic communication, content development, editing, and proofreading skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining consistency, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with Principals, technical staff, consultants, vendors, and marketing personnel.
Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and a proactive, service-oriented approach to supporting marketing and pursuit activities.
Application materials include a resume listing all previous employment and explaining employment gaps, current transcripts for all college-level coursework, a portfolio of relevant work, and a cover letter.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the SMPS Six Domains of Professional Services Marketing.

Responsibilities

Implement and maintain KPFF brand standards in coordination with corporate standards, and develop office-level visual systems, templates, and applications supporting KPFF GLAS marketing objectives.
Develop and maintain InDesign templates for proposals, qualifications packages, presentations, social media graphics, thought-leadership collateral, publications, and other marketing deliverables.
Establish and maintain visual consistency across proposals, presentations, publications, digital content, and external communications.
In conjunction with the Marketing & Communications Manager, design marketing collateral, graphics, presentations, publications, and other branded materials supporting communications, marketing, and pursuit activities.
Coordinate and produce website and social media content, project stories, thought-leadership materials, and campaign-related communications in conjunction with the Marketing & Communications Manager.
Collaborate with Principals and technical staff to develop content accurately communicating the firm’s expertise, project experience, technical capabilities, and market differentiation.
Support marketing communications and promotional initiatives that strengthen the firm’s visibility, reputation, and market presence.
Coordinate awards and project-recognition submissions, including content, graphics, schedules, and compliance with submission requirements.
Support public relations, industry visibility, and other external communications initiatives with the Marketing & Communications Manager and specialized consultants, as applicable.
Provide advanced graphics, visual communication, messaging, and presentation support for complex, high-priority, and strategic pursuits.
Provide hands-on production support for major pursuits requiring senior-level creative execution under compressed schedules.
Develop proposal graphics, layouts, visual assets, and branded content in coordination with pursuit teams.
Produce client presentation and interview materials, from initial content layout through presentation-ready deliverables, when required.
Ensure pursuit materials are visually compelling, consistent with established standards, and properly prepared for digital or print reproduction.
Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Manager, Knowledge Specialist, proposal team, Principals, and technical staff to support coordinated marketing and pursuit activities.
Coordinate schedules, priorities, and workload with other marketing team members during peak production periods.
Collaborate with corporate staff and external consultants to maintain alignment with firmwide standards, initiatives, and resources.
Identify and implement improvements to templates, creative workflows, communications processes, and quality-control practices.
Provide guidance and creative support to marketing team members while maintaining a responsive, hands-on, service-oriented approach.
Contribute to broader marketing initiatives and priorities as needed.

Benefits

Seven paid holidays and two floating holidays annually.
Two weeks of annual vacation, with competitive seniority-based accruals.
Two weeks of personal and sick time to care for yourself and family members.
Employer contribution of 3% of base salary to a 401(k), regardless of employee contribution.
Paid family leave providing 60% of base salary for up to six weeks in a rolling 12-month period, subject to approved leave.
Flexible scheduling, with core collaboration hours of 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Professional certification bonus and testing-fee reimbursement opportunities.
Monthly cell phone stipend.
Monthly Way We Work stipend for remote-work and transit expenses.
Medical insurance options, VSP vision insurance, and Delta Dental insurance.
Semi-annual bonuses.
Educational events, relationship-building opportunities, and social activities.
Overtime paid at a time-and-a-half hourly rate.