Communications Manager at Michael Hsu Office of Architecture in Austin, TX

Job description

• We are seeking an experienced Communications Manager to join our Austin, TX office and Marketing team. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven professional with a positive attitude who will play a vital role in supporting our firm and brand. A working knowledge of project accounting, architectural practices, and contracts are preferred.
• This is a hybrid position based in Austin, TX, requiring a minimum of three days per week working in person from our Austin office.

Responsibilities

• PR & Communications
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact with MHOA's external PR agency partner, coordinating pitches, press releases, and media alerts for project launches, awards, and firm milestones.
• Draft and edit press materials, project narratives, and executive talking points in MHOA's established voice — understated and sensory, describing how a space feels and functions rather than leaning on architectural jargon.
• Maintain the firm's social media brand voice and posting standards (including Instagram), ensuring consistent tone, explicit project/photographer credits, and formatting conventions across channels.
• Manage the awards submissions calendar and assist with entry writing, image selection, and deadlines.
• Track and support thought-leadership opportunities — speaking engagements, conference presentations, and leadership visibility moments for principals.
• Handle confidentiality and embargo protocols for unannounced projects before they're cleared for press.
• Photo Shoots & Visual Content
• Schedule and coordinate professional photography for completed projects, groundbreakings, and key construction milestones, working directly with photographers on shot lists, access, and timing.
• Maintain and organize the firm's photo and video library, including licensing terms and photographer/stylist credit records.
• Coordinate production of construction banners and other on-site visual collateral.
• Support video and content shoots for social, web, and proposal use.
• Client Management
• Support client engagement touchpoints — gifts, event attendance, groundbreaking ceremonies, and other moments that reinforce MHOA's client relationships (roughly 70% of MHOA's projects come from repeat clients, so this consistency matters).
• Draft client-facing communications and administer project completion questionnaires.
• Maintain the client contact database and flag opportunities for renewed outreach or repeat business.
• Coordinate logistics for client entertainment and appreciation events.
• RFP & Proposal Support
• Own or co-own recurring RFP/RFQ sections — Firm Profile, Project Team, Relevant Experience, and Client List & References — keeping boilerplate content current between pursuits.
• Support proposal production: formatting, QA, image sourcing, and coordinating input from project teams and principals against deadlines.
• Maintain and refresh the firm's portfolio and case-study library used across pursuits.
• Assist with populating pursuit records in the firm's CRM/BD tracking systems.
• Business Development Administration
• Maintain and update BD pipeline and tracking materials (weekly pipeline reporting, master tracker) with light, recurring data entry.
• Support the Go/No-Go evaluation process by pulling together client and opportunity research ahead of decision meetings.
• Coordinate logistics for networking events, client research briefs, and BD meeting scheduling.
• Assist with logistics and communications for MHOA's Design for All pro bono program.

Requirements

• 4–7 years of experience in communications, PR, marketing, or client relations — ideally within architecture, design, real estate, hospitality, or another project-based professional services environment.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adopt and protect an established brand voice.
• Experience art directing and coordinating photographers, videographers, or other creative vendors and shoots.
• Comfort managing multiple deadline-driven workstreams across PR, proposals, and client touchpoints simultaneously.
• A discreet, detail-oriented approach to confidential client and project information.
• Familiarity with CRM or BD tracking tools is a plus, not a requirement.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Skills

Required

• Strong writing and editing skills