Thought Leadership Communications Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Celebrated as one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for a Communications Manager to join our Minneapolis team!

“Together We Make Dreams Real” – that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and trade partners to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we’ve created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities. We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.

At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

The Communications Manager leads the execution, coordination, and continuous improvement of Knutson's internal and external communications programs, ensuring consistent, high impact messaging that strengthens the company's reputation, supports business goals, and engages employees, clients, partners, and communities. This role serves as the organization's communications expert, driving content strategy, public relations, executive communications, social media, website, and community engagement across the company.

Working closely with the Marketing Director, Marketing Operations, Creative, and leaders across the organization, the Communications Manager develops and executes communication plans that support Knutson's strategic priorities, enhances brand visibility, and reinforces Knutson's culture and values.

• Model and lead in alignment with Knutson's core values:
  o Care with Action
  o Lead with Courage
  o Build a Team Environment
• Partner with the Marketing Director to develop and execute companywide communication strategies that support business objectives, market growth, employee engagement, and brand awareness.
• Develop communication and storytelling strategies that elevate Knutson's brand, showcase project successes, highlight employee achievements, and strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and communities.
• Collaborate across Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Human Resources, and executive leadership to align communications with company priorities.
• Establish communication standards, processes, and governance to ensure consistent messaging and brand voice across the organization.
• Measure and analyze communication effectiveness through engagement metrics, feedback, and reporting, making recommendations for continuous improvement. Establish and monitor communication KPIs including media impressions, website engagement, social media performance, employee engagement, thought leadership participation, and partner marketing effectiveness.
• Participation and completion in scheduled and as-needed safety training, as determined by the company and promote Knutson’s Zero Incident safety culture.
  

• Develop and oversee Knutson's content strategy, ensuring messaging supports business goals, market growth, thought leadership, recruitment, and brand awareness.
• Lead the planning, creation, and management of website content, including project profiles, market pages, news articles, team updates, and other digital content.
• Manage Knutson's thought leadership program by developing blog articles, client success stories, case studies, videos, executive content, and other content that showcases the expertise of Team Blue.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, project teams, business developers, and leadership to identify, create, and publish relevant and engaging content.
• Maintain editorial calendars and communication schedules to ensure a consistent flow of timely, audience-focused content across all channels.
• Collaborate with creative and marketing operations team members to develop integrated campaigns and communication initiatives.
• Ensure all content aligns with Knutson's brand standards, voice, and strategic messaging.

• Lead Knutson's public relations strategy, including media outreach, press releases, project announcements, award submissions, thought leadership opportunities, executive visibility, and strategic market positioning.
• Manage relationships with public relations consultants, media contacts, industry organizations, and external communication partners.
• Identify and coordinate opportunities to elevate Knutson's expertise, project successes, community involvement, and market leadership.
• Develop and execute communication plans supporting company initiatives, project milestones, market expansion efforts, community relations, and client engagement activities.
• Develop and execute social media campaigns that showcase project milestones, client successes, community engagement, thought leadership, recruiting initiatives, and company culture.
• Support client and project communication initiatives by developing messaging and managing communications surrounding project milestones, community engagement efforts, and partner marketing campaigns.
• Support crisis communication planning and response efforts in partnership with executive leadership, Human Resources, and operational leaders.

• Lead internal communication efforts that keep employees informed, connected, and engaged with company goals, culture, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop executive communications, leadership messaging, organizational announcements, and employee-focused content, and communication plans supporting major organizational initiatives and change management efforts.
• Support employee engagement initiatives through storytelling, recognition programs, culture-focused communications, and company events.
• Manage internal communication channels, including newsletters, intranet content, digital signage, and employee communications platforms.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong storytelling, content development, and editing abilities
• Experience developing and executing communication strategies and plans
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-focused messaging
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills
• Experience managing multiple communication channels, including digital, social, web, and employee communications
• Ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of an organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and communication platforms (SharePoint, intranet, email marketing, social media, website etc.)
• Experience measuring communication effectiveness through analytics and engagement metrics
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communication, content development, and productivity tools.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, marketing communications, employee communications, or a related role
• Experience supporting executive communications, change management, and employee engagement initiatives preferred
• Experience managing communication campaigns across multiple audiences and channels
• Construction industry related experience is preferred.

• Competitive Pay
• Performance Based Career Advancement
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off
• Life and Long-Term Disability Benefit with no premium cost to employee
• Mentorship Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Flex Fridays
• 401k w/Company Match
• Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
• Successful Annual Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program
• Paid Parental Leave

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Projected Minimum Base Salary per year $110,000

Projected Maximum Base Salary per year $140,000

Knutson Construction does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of their race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, or status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.