Public Relations Specialist

HGA; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Success sharing bonus

401(k) guaranteed contribution

Paid parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Short/long-term disability

Job summary

HGA is seeking a Public Relations Specialist in the San Francisco or Santa Monica, CA area to share the stories behind its award-winning design. You will collaborate with the Brand & Communications team to craft compelling pitches, secure media coverage, and amplify the firm's reputation as a national leader in architecture, engineering, and design.

You'll translate complex projects into engaging content, build relationships with journalists and influencers, manage interviews and materials, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• 5-7 years of public relations or strategic communications experience in agency or in-house settings.
• Proven success securing local, regional, and national earned media coverage; strong media strategy and journalist relationships.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading across press materials and social content.
• Familiarity with media research and monitoring tools such as Meltwater, Cision, or Muck Rack.
• Ability to think strategically, plan multi-phase campaigns, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support PR planning and campaign execution; coordinate campaigns with the Senior PR Manager.
• Develop compelling story angles, draft pitches, press materials, and key messages.
• Build media relationships and pursue coverage at local, regional, and national levels.
• Coordinate media opportunities, interviews, and talking points for firm leaders.
• Track results with media monitoring tools and share insights via dashboards and updates.
• Amplify earned media through social posts and internal/external communications.
• Represent HGA at events to strengthen relationships and visibility.

Skills

PR experience

Storytelling

Writing skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Journalism/Communications/Marketing

Tools

Meltwater

Cision

Muck Rack

MS Office

Job description

Public Relations Specialist

Job Locations

US-CA-San Francisco | US-CA-Santa Monica | US-MA-Boston

Overview:

Shape the Stories Behind Award-Winning Design - PR Specialist wanted!

Location: San Francisco or Santa Monica, CA; Boston, MA

At HGA, great design creates meaningful impact. We're seeking a Public Relations Specialist to help share the stories behind our projects, people, and ideas while elevating HGA's reputation as a national leader in architecture, engineering, and design.

With more than 1,100 professionals across 12 offices, HGA partners with clients to create innovative environments that enrich communities nationwide. As a member of our Brand & Communications team, you'll play a key role in connecting HGA's work and expertise with relevant audiences through strategic media relations, compelling storytelling, and thought leadership initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior PR Manager, you'll collaborate with design leaders, subject matter experts, and marketing professionals across the firm to identify and develop stories that showcase HGA's impact. You'll translate complex ideas into engaging content, manage media outreach efforts, cultivate relationships with journalists and industry influencers, and secure meaningful earned media coverage. You'll also serve as a trusted partner to internal stakeholders, helping them understand media opportunities, story development, and communication strategies that advance HGA's brand and business objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a curious, proactive, and detail-oriented communications professional who enjoys uncovering compelling stories, building relationships, and amplifying the work of talented professionals making a difference in communities across the country.

In this role you will:

• Support PR planning and campaign execution. Partner with the Senior PR Manager on the annual PR strategy and editorial calendar; coordinate assigned campaigns aligned with firmwide and sector priorities.
• Develop compelling story angles and content. Identify opportunities with internal teams and clients to connect HGA's projects, people, and impact with industry and community conversations. Draft, edit, and proofread pitches, press releases, media advisories, key messages, and related content.
• Build media relationships and pursue coverage. Research outlets, editorial calendars, and news trends to inform proactive outreach and national media submissions. Cultivate relationships with journalists, editors, and relevant influencers to earn local, regional, and national coverage.
• Coordinate media opportunities and internal partnerships. Manage media inquiries and coordinate interviews, background materials, and talking points for HGA leaders. Help teams assess story readiness and messaging alignment, and keep PR leadership informed of emerging narratives, opportunities, and risks.
• Celebrate our reputation. Coordinate annual rankings program, managing deadlines and stakeholder engagement. Amplify results for rankings, people project awards to build HGA brand and sector recognition.
• Track results and inform future outreach. Use media monitoring tools for media research, list maintenance, coverage monitoring, and industry insights. Build expertise in the platform and analyze and share PR results through dashboards and regular internal updates.
• Amplify the impact of earned media. Curate and share social posts that highlight coverage and reinforce HGA's brand positioning, and support related internal and external communications.
• Represent HGA at selected events. Attend in-person events, project related milestones, interviews, and networking opportunities to strengthen relationships and visibility.

What you will need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in public relations or strategic communications, in an agency or in-house setting, supported by formal PR education or training.
• Demonstrated success securing local, regional, and national earned media coverage, with a strong understanding of media strategy, storytelling, and journalist and editor relationships.
• Effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build alignment across internal teams, including senior leaders, through clear context and well-supported recommendations.
• Familiarity with media research, monitoring, and measurement tools such as Meltwater, Cision, or Muck Rack.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills across press materials, social media and thought-leadership content.
• Ability to think strategically, plan and manage multi-phase PR campaigns, and maintain close attention to detail.
• A proactive, resourceful approach, with the ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Familiarity with digital publishing and social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Salary Information:

The pay range listed aligns to the geography of the office for which this position is posted. Actual compensation will be based upon work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Individuals in this role working more than 24 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in HGA's robust benefit programs which include an annual bonus and success sharing bonus program, 401(k) guaranteed contribution, paid parental leave, medical, dental and life insurance plans as well as PTO and short- and long-term disability programs. Salary Range: $94,800 - 115,000 depending on location, qualifications and experience.

Additional Information:

At HGA, you'll do the best work of your career. We design with impact by diving deep into the people and passions that shape every place. Empathy fuels us, curiosity drives us, and meaningful work leads to innovation. We celebrate individuality, embrace flexibility, and thrive together in the office three days a week.

Join our nationally recognized, award-winning team of architects and engineers-and help us shape what's next.

Learn more about us here.