Communications Strategist - Architecture

HDR • Minneapolis, MN

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Strategist plays a pivotal role in shaping the Architecture practice’s visibility and impact across HDR’s digital channels. This position blends channel strategy, content development, an analytical mindset, and sector-focused storytelling, serving as both a creator and integrator across high visibility communications workstreams. Overseeing Architecture’s social media presence, the Strategist will lead the development of organic and paid strategies, manage day to day operations of social channels, including LinkedIn and Instagram, promote alignment with corporate communications and advance the practice’s digital presence with clarity, consistency and a strong editorial point of view. Additionally, the Strategist will provide analysis of quantitative data and qualitative feedback to support strategic campaigns within the architecture practice, establishing a consistent reporting cadence for the team and practice leadership. The role ensures that social content and digital channels amplify the right work at the right time, while also supporting broader campaign and narrative goals. Curiosity and attention to detail will be your superpowers. Asking questions, thinking critically, iterating in collaboration with others, problem solving and holding yourself and the larger team accountable to high-quality standards will yield excellent contributions to HDR’s architecture communications program. Reporting to the Senior Campaign and Communications Strategist, this is a high ownership, strategic communications role for someone with strong writing skills, digital fluency, and a passion for shaping narrative cohesion across people, projects, and practice priorities. This role has options to be full-time in-office or hybrid.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a communications field of expertise: social media, event planning, community engagement, target marketing, descriptive writing, public involvement, etc
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated and ability to work independent with multiple teams as well as team oriented
• Great interpersonal and communication skills - positive outlook and attitude
• High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Comfortable and competent while working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Committed to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a closely related field.
• Previous consulting and/or creative agency experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop narrative-driven social content and support multi-channel communications and marketing campaigns.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling messages.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams while maintaining clarity, accuracy, and editorial consistency.
• Familiarity with email marketing tools and content management systems (CMS).
• Experience reviewing digital channel performance metrics and providing clear, concise reporting and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Architecture practice’s social media lead, ensuring alignment with practice priorities, content rhythms, and audience needs.
• Draft and refine organic social media content, including copy and conceptual framing.
• Maintain Architecture social media calendar, governing cadence, timing, and message coordination.
• Manage Sprout Social operations for Architecture posts, ensuring accuracy, tagging, and proper publishing workflows and overseeing social monitoring and interactions
• Collaborate with Corporate Social Media teams to ensure cross-channel alignment and cohesive brand storytelling, including coordination of paid social media campaigns.
• Provide insights on social media strategy and industry trends, working with partners to extend reach and elevate key messages that support key practice priorities, including light training or resource development to elevate social media fluency.
• Provide writing support for day-to-day website communications as needed based on team workload, including project profiles and bios.
• Conduct research and provide insight into web content best practices, especially as it relates to AI.
• In collaboration with the broader team, contribute to email marketing activities, website updates and annual audits.
• Work with Senior Comms & Campaign Strategist, Architecture, to aid in developing thoughtful campaign strategy plans that leverage organic and paid social media as well as other digital channels to achieve campaign-specific goals.
• Review and provide thoughtful analysis of the performance on owned content channels, including website, social media and email marketing, sharing back key takeaways and analytics with the communications team.
• Participate in recurring team cadences (content huddles, social/email huddles, campaign check-ins, sector meetings), sharing relevant updates.
• Provide insights that help shape integrated communications and identify opportunities to amplify strategic initiatives.

Benefits

• Employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day.
• Fostering a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree