Director of Communications

Hazen and Sawyer • Raleigh, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Communications will lead enterprise‑wide communications strategy, advise executive leadership and shape how the firm tells its story across global markets, channels, and audiences. This role drives innovation in digital, internal, and external communication, including the use of AI, while leading a high‑performing communications team and strengthening engagement across a diverse, international workforce.

Why Hazen and Sawyer:

Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water."
Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed.
We currently have over 2,400 employees in 90+ offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the UK.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, including leadership roles within engineering, infrastructure, construction, or similar industries.
• Experience leading communications strategy for large, complex, and geographically distributed organizations.
• Proven ability to advise and collaborate with executive leadership.
• Must be capable of working with external partners (clients) to provide communications services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of digital, social, and internal communications platforms.
• Experience/expertise with AI‑enabled communications tools and emerging trends.
• Ability to work effectively across teams, disciplines, and regions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership, shaping the firm's narrative and ensuring all messaging aligns with the long-term strategic plan.
• Collaborate to expand and improve company-wide communications across all fronts including digital, social, printed, video and spoken/podcast.
• Understand how AI is impacting all communications and adapting to the changing landscape.
• Lead, develop, and support a growing communications team of 25+ professionals, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, high performance, and consistent delivery across all communication channels.
• Direct media strategy and cultivate senior-level relationships to elevate the firm's visibility in priority markets.
• Develop marketing messages for key project pursuits and coordinate those messages in social media.
• Develop firm-wide internal communication frameworks that build alignment and trust among 2,400+ employees across multiple regions and countries.
• Updating and improving our internal communications.
• Prepare high-level materials for leaders, including speeches, town hall presentations, and thought leadership content.
• Develop social media plans for senior staff on LinkedIn and other social media sites.
• Oversee the firm’s digital presence, including the website and social media platforms, to ensure consistent branding and modern storytelling.
• Update internal company ‘HUB’ website and internal communications platform

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans)
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation
• Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO)
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support
• Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director