Sr External Communications Specialist

DPR Construction; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DPR Construction in Newport Beach, CA seeks an experienced communications professional to develop and execute external plans, craft compelling content, and align storytelling with brand goals. You will partner with internal teams to promote key stories, initiatives, and thought leadership.

This role emphasizes writing and editing, media relations, and performance analysis, with mentoring of junior staff and cross‑functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements communications plans for specific initiatives, campaigns, or projects in collaboration with business and Communications + Brand partners.
• Leads drafting and editing of complex external materials, including executive messaging, feature stories, and press releases.
• Cultivates and manages relationships with external media, industry partners, and community organizations to support earned media strategies.
• Analyzes communication performance metrics and develops recommendations for improving message reach and engagement.
• Mentors less experienced specialists, reviewing materials to ensure quality and adherence to organizational standards.
• Coordinates cross-functional contributions to ensure integrated communication outcomes.
• Ensures alignment of all messaging and materials with organizational strategy, values, and compliance requirements.

Skills

External communications

Writing & editing

Media relations

Mentoring

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Job description

Job Description At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title—they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization. As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.

Job Summary: Develops and executes external communications plans that enhance organizational reputation and visibility. Leads the creation of advanced content and storytelling across multiple channels, applying expert writing and editing skills to ensure alignment with brand and business objectives. Partners with internal teams to identify and promote key stories, initiatives, and thought leadership opportunities. Provides guidance to peers and contributes to process improvements and best practices within the communications function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements communications plans for specific initiatives, campaigns, or projects in collaboration with business and Communications + Brand partners.
• Leads drafting and editing of complex external materials, including executive messaging, feature stories, and press releases.
• Cultivates and manages relationships with external media, industry partners, and community organizations to support earned media strategies.
• Analyzes communication performance metrics and develops recommendations for improving message reach and engagement.
• Mentors less experienced specialists, reviewing materials to ensure quality and adherence to organizational standards.
• Coordinates cross-functional contributions to ensure integrated communication outcomes.
• Ensures alignment of all messaging and materials with organizational strategy, values, and compliance requirements.

Education Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience required.

Work Experience:

5-7 years of experience in communications, journalism, or a related field required.

Certifications and Licenses:

APR or CMP certification preferred.

This role partners with construction and marketing teams on project communications plans, proactively pitches stories, builds reporter relationships, and manages routine media inquiries. The specialist also manages business journal surveys and award submissions recognizing employees and construction projects through business and trade publications.

Anticipated starting pay range: $90,000.00- $120,000.00

Nothing is more important than your health and wellness. DPR offers a variety of medical, dental, vision and wellness benefits to keep you healthy.

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world. Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore unique paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together - by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.

The DPR family of companies is closing the gap between design and construction with an integrated collection of products and services to build smarter, move faster and achieve strong results. Our approximately 11,000 employees share a commitment to growth, innovation and building great things - great teams, great careers and great projects that change the world.

DPR is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at DPR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical or mental disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. DPR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application or any step in the process: In the US, call Human Resources at 650-474-1450 In Europe, email [e-mail]

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