Assistant Vice President, Media and Public Relations_

Chicago

What if you could work in a place full of opportunity and always find new ways to grow?

We are seeking an **Assistant Vice President, Media and Public Relations.** This position can be based out of any of WSP regional office locations. This role is ideal for someone who excels in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and combines strong organizational skills with a flair for strategic communication.

**Responsibilities**

+ Develop and execute comprehensive public and media relations strategies to enhance the organization's reputation and external visibility with direction from vice president of corporate communications.

+ Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists and influencers as directed to secure positive coverage.

+ Excellent writer/reporter with the ability to collaborate with marketing and communications team members, business executives and subject matter experts to source stories from across the U.S. business and proactively develop pitches in alignment with strategic plan priorities.

+ Draft compelling, accurate and newsworthy press releases, pitches, speeches, and other thought leadership communications materials to effectively convey key messages and stories about our people and projects.

+ Contribute to crisis communication efforts, including preparing responses, participation on calls, updates for crisis team and implementation of overall communications plan/timing in alignment with company procedures.

+ Collaborate with internal teams, including marketing, sales and executive leadership, to understand key initiatives and ensure alignment of messaging and objectives.

+ Monitor media coverage and industry trends to identify opportunities and risks, bringing actionable ideas and providing insights to vice president, corporate communications, and senior vice president, marketing and communications.

+ Work with director of corporate communications to engage with a team of communications and media professionals, including three consultant agencies, providing mentorship, guidance and support to achieve overall plan goals.

+ As needed, coordinate special events and promotional campaigns to generate positive media attention for the firm and related clients.

+ Measure and analyze the impact of PR initiatives, tracking key metrics and adjusting strategies as needed to optimize results.

**Experience**

+ Deep knowledge and practice of public and media relations

+ AEC and/or B2B experience highly desirable

+ Excellent writer: articles, news releases, contributed columns, letters to editor, people profiles, message points, remarks for executives, social media, other content as directed by SVP marketing communications and director corporate communications

+ Ability to research and source story ideas based on company projects, people, business initiatives, news of the day and current industry events; reporter mentality

+ Develop assigned content by interviewing internal subject matter experts; drafting engaging materials

+ Regularly align with business lines and marketers to uncover meaningful, targeted story lines/series

+ Familiarity with pitching stories to media outlets

+ Self-starter to generate and develop ideas for WSP’s media program and _Insights_ articles

+ Deadline driven and able to produce work quickly and with minimal editing

+ Seamlessly manage competing projects and timelines

+ Well versed in AP style, spelling and grammar

+ Adhere to WSP corporate brand and style guidelines

+ Approximately 10+ years prior experience in public or media relations, or external communications

+ Bachelor's degree

+ Creative thinker to propel corporate communications deliverables to best-in-industry

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $111,200 - $198,220

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $111,200 - $186,010

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

**About WSP**

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

**NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:**

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.