📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of External Communications
🔹 Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies
🔹 Location: Overland Park, Kansas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid option
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and driving the communication plan for the company's brand and values across various media.
- Fostering relationships with media members, influencers, and community leaders to enhance the company's reputation and thought leadership.
- Proactively researching and pitching strategic media outlets to secure coverage and protect the company's brand.
- Collaborating with senior executives and coaching them on message delivery and media interview preparations.
- Contributing stories and content ideas for the company's newsroom and representing the company on inbound press inquiries.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute an annual external global marketing communications plan that aligns with the company's enterprise strategy and drives a programmatic and proactive presence in target publications, TV, radio, and social media.
✅ Quickly assess spokesperson bench, storylines, and message documents, target media, and map out an integrated communications plan.
✅ Facilitate proactive media tours and press briefings, and serve as a calming, executive voice and facilitator for corporate response as events and needs emerge.
✅ Contribute stories and content ideas for the company's newsroom and serve as a vital member of the media relations team, periodically representing the company on inbound press inquiries.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to work under tight deadlines, and the capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or a related business field.
Experience: 12+ years of experience in media relations, corporate communications, journalism, and B2B marketing, with a proven track record of driving quantifiable outcomes regarding share of voice, press coverage, and corporate positioning within the engineering & construction and energy industries or related industries.
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to collaborate and influence across all levels of the organization.
- Willingness to travel up to 25% to support events and executives as appropriate.
- Good experience in crisis management and communications.
Preferred Skills:
- Strong understanding of contemporary media management, including traditional and online digital news ecosystems.
- Client and market understanding, and ability to align strategic initiatives with business objectives and stakeholder needs.
- Ability to make decisions quickly within high-pressure situations.
- Outgoing personality with a positive attitude and enjoyment working in cross-functional teams.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in media relations and corporate communications, with a strong focus on driving quantifiable outcomes.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Director of External Communications with 12+ years of experience in the engineering & construction industry)
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurances.
- Disability insurance.
- Wellness program.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Paid vacation and holiday time.
- Sick time and dependent sick time.
- 401K plan with company match.
- Adoption reimbursement.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Vendor discounts.
- Employment referral program.
- AD&D insurance.
- Pre-taxed accounts.
- Voluntary legal plan.
- Performance-based bonus program.
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director of External Communications with 12+ years of experience in the engineering & construction industry. The actual salary may vary based on the company's internal compensation structure and the candidate's qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Engineering & Construction
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1996
Company Description:
- Overland Contracting Inc. (OCI) is a Black & Veatch Company (B&V) that provides construction services in the open/merit shop arena.
- OCI is tailored to fit clients' needs, offering direct hire or subcontract strategies utilizing open shop labor in support of EPC projects and construction-only work for the telecom, energy, and water markets across the country.
Company Specialties:
- Power
- Oil & Gas
- Telecommunications
- Water
- Management Consulting
- and Special Projects
Company Website: http://www.OverlandContracting.com
ASSUMPTION: Overland Contracting Inc. is a subsidiary of Black & Veatch, focusing on open/merit shop construction services for various industries.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Director of External Communications
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a senior leadership role within the communications department.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with senior executives.
- Possibility to expand skills and knowledge in digital marketing and contemporary metrics reporting.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance within the communications department and gain exposure to senior leadership.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
Office Location(s): 10950 Grandview Dr., Overland Park, KS 66210, US
Geographic Context:
- Overland Park, Kansas, is a suburb of Kansas City, with a population of approximately 191,000.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of housing options and neighborhoods.
- Overland Park is known for its high-quality schools, parks, and recreational facilities.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexible hours based on the hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work, offering flexibility and a better work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission.
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager.
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members.
- Final interview with the senior director of external communications.
- Background check and offer extension.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and media relations experience.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values.
- Candidates' understanding of the engineering & construction industry and the company's business.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and industry knowledge.
- Research the company and its recent projects to demonstrate your understanding of their business and industry trends.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with crisis management and communications, and how you've handled challenging media situations in the past.
ATS Keywords: Media Relations, External Communications, Crisis Communications, Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Thought Leadership, Digital Marketing, SEO, Google Analytics, AI, ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing candidates' communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on their media relations experience and industry knowledge.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, Hootsuite Insights)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the company's specific needs and preferences.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Stewardship
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented.
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work effectively with senior executives and other stakeholders.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's values, particularly in terms of integrity, excellence, and stewardship?
- How do you handle working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, and how do you maintain flexibility and adaptability in such situations?
- How do you approach building relationships with senior executives and other stakeholders, and how do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with them?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with the company's values and work style, with a strong focus on communication, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives, media members, and community leaders.
- Adapting to changing media landscapes and emerging technologies.
- Protecting the company's brand and reputation in the face of negative media coverage or crises.
- Balancing the demands of a hybrid work arrangement, with both on-site collaboration and remote work.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to face these challenges and demonstrate their ability to manage multiple projects, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and adapt to changing circumstances.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions, such as Communications Manager or Public Relations Specialist, in its focus on driving the company's external communications strategy and thought leadership.
- In the engineering & construction industry, this role is unique in its emphasis on media relations, crisis communications, and strategic planning.
- Career paths for this role may include advancing to a senior leadership position within the communications department or transitioning to a corporate communications role within another industry.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive the company's external communications strategy and thought leadership within the engineering & construction industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive media relations plan for a major company acquisition or merger.
- Managing a high-profile crisis communication effort in response to a significant industry event or incident.
- Creating and implementing a strategic communications plan to launch a new product or service offering within the engineering & construction industry.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that candidates may face in this role, requiring strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its communications team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company's communications department in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does the company measure the success of its external communications efforts, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important for this role?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other departments, such as marketing, business development, or human resources?
- How does the company approach diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in its communications efforts, and what role can this position play in advancing DEI initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions will help candidates better understand the company's communications strategy, growth opportunities, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a strong focus on media relations, strategic communication, and crisis management.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and industry knowledge.
- Research the company and its recent projects to demonstrate your understanding of their business and industry trends.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
