Communications Specialist

Within the Brand & Communications functional area, the Communications Specialist serves as the primary execution lead for the KPFF GLAS Brand & Communications function, responsible for implementing brand standards, developing marketing communications, producing creative assets, and supporting initiatives that strengthen the firm's market presence. Working within firmwide standards established by Shared Services, this role develops and maintains branded materials, content, and visual resources that communicate the firm's expertise, project experience, and market differentiation. The Communications Specialist collaborates closely with Principals, technical staff, consultants, and marketing team members to support communications, market-visibility initiatives, and strategic pursuits. The role also provides advanced creative, graphic, and presentation support for complex and high-priority pursuits while helping maintain consistency and quality across the firm's marketing efforts. Benefits • 7 paid holidays, and 2 floating holidays for you to use each year. • 2 weeks of vacation annually, with competitive seniority-based accruals. • 2 weeks of personal and sick time to care for yourself and your family members. • KPFF will contribute 3% of your base salary to your 401 (k) regardless of your contribution. • KPFF Paid Family Leave: Provides 60% of your base salary while on an approved leave for up to 6 weeks in a rolling 12-month period. • 40-hour work schedule, Monday through Friday. • Flexible scheduling - core hours of collaboration are 9:30-3:30 pm • 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 to choose from, VSP Vision Insurance, and Delta Dental Insurance. • Semi-annual Bonuses. • Opportunities for educational events, relationship building, and fun! • This is a non-exempt position. All overtime hours are paid at a time-and-a-half hourly rate. Pay Range The pay range for this position is $107,000-$120,000 annually depending on experience. Responsibilities Brand Stewardship & Creative Services • Implement and maintain KPFF brand standards in coordination with corporate standards while developing office-level visual systems, templates, and applications that support 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 sophisticated marketing collateral, graphics, presentations, publications, and other branded materials that support communications, marketing, and pursuit activities. Communications & Market Visibility • In conjunction with the Marketing & Communications Manager, coordinate and produce website content, social media content, project stories, thought-leadership materials, and campaign-related communications. • Collaborate with Principals and technical staff to develop content that accurately communicates 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 in coordination with the Marketing & Communications Manager and specialized consultants, as applicable. Strategic Pursuit Support • Provide advanced graphics, visual communication, messaging, and presentation support for complex, high-priority, and strategic pursuits. • Serve as a hands-on production resource 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 when required, from initial content layout through presentation-ready deliverables. • Ensure pursuit materials are visually compelling, consistent with established standards, and properly prepared for digital or print reproduction. Collaboration & Continuous Improvement • 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, and service-oriented approach. General Marketing Teams Tasks • Contribute to broader marketing initiatives and priorities as needed. Qualifications • Minimum 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. • Demonstrated portfolio of 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 content, 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 the 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. • Familiarity with the SMPS Six Domains of Professional Services Marketing preferred. Additional Information Application Process • A resume identifying all previous employment with explanations of any gaps in employment • Your most current transcripts for all college level coursework • A portfolio showcasing samples of your graphic design, brand implementation, communications, presentation and marketing collateral work • A cover letter • If you are interested in this position, please click on the "Apply" button below. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered. Physical Demands and Work Environment • Duties require in-person attendance, Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM during our business hours at our office in Irvine, CA for the training period. After a successful training period, this role will transition to a hybrid work schedule of 2 days per week in office. • All duties are performed in a typical office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table. • Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day. • May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.