Associate, External Communications & Public Relations

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies), and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Role

The Associate, External Communications and Public Relations is a “storyteller” and key member of the External Communications and PR team, working closely with the SVP, External Communications and PR and other team leaders to amplify Suffolk’s storytelling opportunities, including supporting the planning, development, and execution of Suffolk’s media relations and external/internal communications strategies for Suffolk Corporate.

The Associate, External Communications and PR role is vital to the success of the team.

This individual, with 2-3 years of experience in Public Relations, will support the management of internal and external projects to raise Suffolk’s visibility; promote Suffolk’s value proposition in key markets to soften the ground for business development; promote Suffolk executives, thought leaders, and subject matter experts; leverage stories and news to introduce Suffolk to new regions and sectors to support company growth; support work acquisition efforts; and strengthen the Suffolk brand nationally by generating earned media coverage.

• Participate in strategy sessions with team and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the External Communications and Public Relations team leaders to develop strategies and brainstorm creative pitch angles to promote Suffolk successes to national and regional publications, online channels, and blogs, including business and trade publications.
• Develop key messages and draft/edit press releases, media alerts, op-eds, and pitch letters for our agencies to pitch to the media for press coverage.
• Draft merchandising emails for SVP to showcase media coverage to leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage wire distribution of corporate, regional and personnel press releases, including uploading content, ensuring accuracy and timely wire-cross.
• With the support of external agency partners, track regional and national award submission deadlines, assist in developing strong submission messaging, and submit Suffolk for high-profile awards.
• Identify and pitch Suffolk leaders and subject matter experts for speaking opportunities that promote our expertise and experience (i.e. keynote addresses, panel discussions, moderators, etc.); then brief and prepare Suffolk spokespeople for media interviews; staff interviews; manage follow-up action items to completion.
• Collaborate with Operations and Functional teams (i.e. People and Culture; Suffolk Technologies; Operations; project teams in the field; Information Technology) to identify compelling stories that help them promote their initiatives and raise Suffolk’s visibility nationally.
• Visit project sites to interview project team members; mine and capture captivating success stories that can be shared with external audiences.
• Continuously analyze media trends, reporters, and publications to develop compelling pitches.
• Cultivate relationships with influential print, digital, and broadcast journalists and editors.
• Assist in generating and identifying compelling content for social media channels.
• Assist Senior VP, External Communications and Public Relations during crisis situations.

• 2-3 years of practical experience in communications or public relations (agency background a plus).
• Track record of developing and delivering communications strategies and working with agencies and journalists is a plus.
• An eagerness to learn and desire to grow in the communications and PR field.
• Proven outstanding interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to project manage a range of projects and effectively prioritize competing demands
• Demonstrated strategic ability and business sense.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with accelerated deadlines and a motivated, flexible and adaptable work style as priorities change and opportunities arise.
• Experience with new media communications.
• A passion for storytelling, meeting new people, mining for stories and sharing information.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.