Communication Manager

McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.

COMMUNICATION MANAGER

The Communications Manager - External Lead plays a key role in shaping how McGough is seen and experienced in the market. This highly visible position brings McGough's most meaningful work to life through compelling, strategic external storytelling. By leading and executing external communications initiatives, this role strengthens brand reputation, supports business growth, and positions McGough as a trusted industry leader.

Working in close partnership with communications leadership and cross-functional teams, the Communications Manager - External Lead drives external-facing content and strategies, including public relations, sales-supporting storytelling, agency partnerships, and crisis communications planning. This role develops story-driven content for clients, partners, media, and prospective customers across earned, owned, and shared channels, ensuring all external messaging is aligned, accurate, and reflective of McGough's values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in external communications, public relations, corporate communications, or marketing communications.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages that support business and brand objectives.
• Proven experience creating high-impact external content for a variety of audiences and channels.
• Experience working with and managing media, external partners, vendors and agencies.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with senior leaders.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and review processes simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration tools; familiarity with content management and marketing platforms.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting communications for a national or multi-market organization.
• Background in construction, real estate, engineering, or professional services industries.
• Experience developing client-facing content and partnering directly with clients on storytelling initiatives.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro) and working closely with designers and videographers.
• Familiarity with WordPress as a website platform, including experience publishing, updating, or managing external-facing website content.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms, including experience supporting sales teams through content, campaigns, or reporting.
• Experience measuring and reporting on PR and external communications performance.
• Curiosity, creativity, and a strong point of view on how brands can tell meaningful stories through earned, owned, and shared channels.

Skills:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Skilled at translating complex or technical information into clear, accessible messaging for non-technical audiences.
• Highly organized, thorough, and detail-oriented, with strong time management and execution discipline.
• Self-motivated and proactive, demonstrating initiative and sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Creative, diplomatic, and calm under pressure, with a thoughtful approach to problem-solving.
• Relationship-oriented, approaching every interaction as an opportunity to add value and strengthen partnerships.
• Effective team player who can also work independently to deliver results.
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and collaboration tools.

OFFICE AND TRAVEL:

• Occasional travel that may include regional office locations and remote jobsites
• Hybrid office attendance with Roseville Headquarters serving as primary office

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

External Communication Strategy & Brand Storytelling

• Lead the development and execution of external communications strategies that support McGough's business objectives, brand positioning, and growth priorities.
• Shape and steward McGough's external narrative, ensuring consistent, compelling storytelling across earned, owned, and shared channels.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to business leaders, providing guidance on brand voice, external messaging, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure all external communications are accurate, aligned, and reflective of McGough's values, culture, and strategic priorities.

Public Relations & Media Engagement

• Lead day-to-day public relations efforts in partnership with communications leadership, including media outreach, story pitching, interview coordination, and media monitoring.
• Manage relationships with external PR agencies, vendors, and media partners to maximize coverage and storytelling impact.
• Develop press releases, project announcements, award submissions, and thought leadership content that positions McGough as a trusted industry leader.
• Support crisis communications planning and preparedness, contributing to message development, drafting materials, and coordinating internal reviews during sensitive or high-impact situations.

Content Development & Editorial Planning

• Own and manage a steady pipeline of external-facing content, including client stories, case studies, thought leadership, website content, and marketing collateral.
• Lead editorial planning and external storytelling strategy for campaigns, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment across media, digital, and social platforms.
• Partner with Marketing and Digital teams to plan, produce, and distribute multi-channel external content.
• Maintain and update external content to reflect evolving company practices, culture, and strategic priorities.

Client-Facing Storytelling & Sales Enablement

• Lead client-facing storytelling initiatives by partnering directly with clients and internal stakeholders to uncover meaningful stories and proof points.
• Develop external-facing messaging and content that supports business development, pursuit strategies, client engagement, and sales enablement.
• Manage client storytelling workflows, including content planning, review cycles, approvals, and compliance with brand, legal, and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development and Marketing teams to align storytelling with market opportunities and growth efforts.

Events, Campaigns & Market Presence

• Partner with Marketing to support corporate events, tradeshows, and industry engagements through external-facing messaging and promotional content.
• Elevate McGough's visibility before, during, and after events through coordinated storytelling and content distribution.
• Represent McGough at client functions, industry conferences, and professional organizations as a brand ambassador.

Measurement, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor, measure, and evaluate the effectiveness of external communications efforts using media coverage, performance metrics, and stakeholder feedback.
• Incorporate insights and data to continuously improve storytelling, messaging, and channel strategy.
• Apply continuous improvement principles to communications processes in alignment with the McGough Way.

Collaboration, Leadership & Organizational Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with internal colleagues and external partners.
• Collaborate across departments to align communications efforts and support shared organizational goals.
• Actively contribute to cross-functional meetings, project management efforts, and company initiatives.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities, including leadership development.
• Support and engage in company-sponsored events and initiatives that promote culture, learning, and engagement.
• Follow and reinforce standards of work, lean initiatives, and continuous improvement practices.

Other Responsibilities

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  • Actively contribute as a member of the Marketing Team by collaborating on shared goals, aligning efforts across departments, and supporting team priorities
  • Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
  • Represent the company at business events such as client functions, industry conferences, and professional organizations
  • Attend and engage in internal project management and cross-functional company meetings
  • Participate in relevant training opportunities for personal and professional growth, including leadership development and human resources topics
  • Support and participate in company-sponsored events and initiatives that promote team engagement and culture.
  • Follow and reinforce standards of work, lean initiatives, and continuous improvement in accordance with the McGough Way
  
  
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position involves sitting for extended periods of time at employee's work station. Employee needs to be able to lift up to 20 pounds as frequently as needed to move objects; dexterity to write and manipulate computer keyboard and mouse; ability to hear and speak clearly; and ability to distinguish between colors on graphs and charts.

Occasionally, employee will be required to visit construction jobsites which may expose the employee to dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures.