Career Center

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities, and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Are you passionate about design and a natural storyteller? Join Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) as a Communications Coordinator for the East Coast, based in New York. 

Your core activities will include supporting key communications initiatives, including project storytelling, award submissions, and press releases. You will become an expert on SOM’s project portfolio spanning some of the most exciting buildings and urban plans of our time, through content creation, writing, and graphics design. The ideal candidate will thrive on tight deadlines and share a keen interest for all things design and communicating these ideas in a collaborative team setting. We're looking for candidates who are detail-oriented, organized and experienced with project management.

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.

• Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

• Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Summary:   

• Help shape SOM’s global communications strategy in collaboration with our communications experts around the world.

• Coordinate and create award submittals, including the development of graphics and narrative production as needed.

• Assist in the creation of project narratives, press materials, and related content.

• Assist in developing content for SOM’s internal communications platform, SOM.com, and SOM social media channels.

• Track and record all West Coast communications activities, including monitoring press.

• Assist in liaising with the media, supporting SOM’s local, national and international outreach efforts.

• Coordinate internal communications initiatives and events.

• Create and edit images and video for external and internal use.

• Maintain internal databases for images and data.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Background in communications, marketing or public relations necessary, interest or knowledge of graphic design and architectural studies/history desirable.

• Ability to work accurately and effectively and with leadership in an environment with multiple deadlines and stakeholders; as well as positively and collaboratively with colleagues representing different points of view.

• Able to execute and prioritize project tasks efficiently and accurately.

• Keen attention to detail.

• Strong communication, writing, and editing skills, both technical and creative.

• Exceptionally strong visual/design skills used for developing collateral materials.

• Excellent problem-solving, multi-tasking, time management and organizational skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

• Experience working with digital content and public relations platforms preferred, e.g., Asana, Meltwater, Cision, MailChimp, Wordpress, Open Asset, and/or related platforms.

• Experience with video and photo editing preferred.

Requirements:

• 2-3 years public relations or communications experience, including developing and maintaining media lists, assisting in media outreach and coordination, researching relevant media outlets and staying abreast of industry landscape. 

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Workplace Suite and Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, or Premiere Pro.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, English or other related field of study.

Please note that all applications must be submitted through the URL below:

https://som.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/New-York/Junior-Communications-Coordinator_R-2690

SOM offers opportunities to work on transformational projects, competitive salaries, health insurance, wellness, retirement and financial and other work/life plans.

At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.