Communications Director

Description

About the practice

David Chipperfield Architects (DCA) is an international architecture studio founded in London in 1985. The practice has developed a strong reputation for the quality of its work, with a diverse portfolio that includes celebrated cultural, residential, educational, commercial and civic projects. Comprising five independent offices in London, Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela, each one is embedded in its local context while united globally by common architectural ambitions. The practice’s approach is grounded in a concern for the social and environmental sustainability of the built environment and its role in our collective quality of life.

About the role

As Communications Director you will take on a new role which is being created to reinforce how we think about the work and how we communicate the thinking. It will involve both strategic oversight and hands-on involvement. In close collaboration with the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in developing the practice’s identity, enhancing project development and client engagement, and fostering a critical thinking culture. You will redirect the studio’s approach to written and visual project communications, ensuring design narrative is compelling, cohesive, and consistent. In addition, you will lead a small communications team responsible for press, graphics and archive, guiding them through the creative process and ensuring that all communications—whether internal or external—are aligned with DCA’s strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

1. Creative Direction: Work alongside the Studio Directors to redirect the studio’s attitude to shaping, executing and communicating the work during the life of the project.
2. Strategic Stewardship: Cultivate critical thinking across the practice, including supporting disciplines such as Graphics, Drawings and Visualisation, to shape a positive and energetic internal culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
3. Leadership: You will have individual responsibilities and decision-making authority, but will also work collaboratively with fellow directors, reporting to one another as a group and making key decisions together in the best interests of the practice.
4. Communication Team Management: Foster a collaborative team culture, encouraging innovation and process adherence. Manage a team handling press, graphics and archive. Collaborate with the New Projects team to provide regular guidance and informed support.
5. External Relations: Work closely with project and client teams to oversee project launches, milestones and completions. Oversee press strategy, press releases, responses to media inquiries, and manage publications. Coordinate proactive publication of practice activities through traditional and social media.
6. DCA Group collaboration: Lead coordination of DCAL communications with the DCA Group, ensuring consistency across the internal digital library, website, and social media channels.

Skills and Experience

1. Architectural Design Process: Understanding how ideas are shaped, executed and communicated, with the ability to apply this knowledge in various project contexts.
2. Creative leader: Driving transformative change through collaboration and mentorship.
3. Editorial Narrative: Distilling complex ideas into engaging, accessible content, utilising editorial expertise to guide the creation of dynamic storyboards and narratives.
4. Communication and Influence: Tailoring communication to diverse audiences, cultivating relationships, and using influencing skills to drive initiatives forward.
5. Connecting to broader contexts: Articulating the connection and relevance of architectural ideas within wider political, social, environmental, and arts-related contexts.

Shaping the role

This is not a conventional communications role; the ideal candidate should have a strong visual sense and while an architect could be a good fit, it is not a requirement. During the interview process, we will welcome your ideas on how to shape and develop this new role. Your perspective will be highly valued as we collaborate to define its impact and potential within the practice.

Benefits

What you can expect from us
This is a significant opportunity to shape the direction of a highly regarded practice. Our Fitzrovia studio provides an exemplary work environment, supported by a talented and engaged team, allowing for meaningful influence and collaboration. We also offer a variety of employee benefits including private health insurance, cycle to work scheme, a cash health plan, employer contribution pension, employee assistance plan, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, visa assistance for candidates who need to relocate to London. Our core hours policy allows flexibility in your daily start and end times, and you can work from abroad for up to 30 days a year.