Marketing Manager

HOK is a collective of future-forward thinkers and designers who are driven to face the critical challenges of our time. We are dedicated to improving people's lives, serving our clients and healing the planet. Together, we cultivate a culture of design excellence at the confluence of art and science, blending the power of creative expression with a clear sense of purpose.

Application must include resume and portfolio (or portfolio link).

We are currently seeking a Marketing Manager to join our team in Chicago. The Marketing Manager serves as a strategic partner to practice leaders and senior management, advancing firm growth through market insight, client-focused messaging, and pursuit strategy. This role requires strong strategic thinking, proactive communication, and the ability to balance planning with execution. The position combines marketing leadership with strong attention to detail, ensuring proposals, presentations, and communications reinforce the firm's competitive position and brand reputation. The Marketing Manager oversees daily activities of the local marketing team while supporting team performance and professional growth. Social media responsibilities for this role are limited.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Marketing & Growth Partnership

• Partners with practice leaders and senior management to align marketing efforts with strategic growth goals, client development priorities, and market positioning.
• Brings forward proactive recommendations on pursuit strategy, differentiation, and messaging, helping teams compete more effectively.

• Serves as a firm ambassador to support relationship building, brand visibility, and market engagement.

Pursuit & Client Deliverables Leadership

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the entire pursuit process, guiding the marketing team from kickoff through submission on all client-facing proposals and presentations.
• Drives the strategy for marketing deliverables, ensuring they are not only accurate and timely but also compelling, strategically positioned, and aligned with the firm's brand and design excellence.
• Manages the pursuit pipeline and team workflow by establishing clear timelines, defining responsibilities, and ensuring accountability to support consistent, high-quality performance under deadlines.

Project Storytelling & Content Stewardship

• Directs the development of project narratives, team credentials, and case studies that clearly communicate value, impact, and differentiation.
• Ensures marketing content systems remain current, accessible, and strategically aligned with priority markets and clients.
• Translates technical information into persuasive, client-relevant messaging across proposals, interviews, and thought leadership.
• Identifies projects ready for photography and directs photo/video shoots that visually communicate the narrative and impact of our projects.

Brand Visibility & Market Recognition

• Leads strategic awards planning and submissions to elevate the firm's reputation and recognition for design excellence.
• Partners with practice leadership and communications teams to identify opportunities for publications, press, and external storytelling.
• Supports client engagement initiatives, events, and communications that strengthen relationships and market presence.

Marketing Performance & Business Intelligence

• Oversees accurate CRM and pursuit tracking to support pipeline visibility, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
• Uses data and outcomes to refine pursuit strategies, improve marketing effectiveness, and optimize resource allocation.
• Develops systems and reports that connect marketing activity to business development results.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluates and integrates emerging tools, technologies, and best practices to modernize marketing workflows and enhance client engagement.
• Drives process improvements that strengthen quality, speed, consistency, and collaboration across marketing and pursuit efforts.
• Encourages a culture of innovation, learning, and adaptability within the marketing team.

Team Leadership & Development

• Fosters a commitment to exceptional external and internal client service.
• Leads, mentors, and develops marketing staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
• Balances workloads, builds capability across the group, and supports professional growth aligned with firm priorities.
• Establishes clear standards, accountability, and shared commitment to excellence and client service.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Equivalent of bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or a related field required (or equivalent professional experience).
• 10 plus years of progressive marketing experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role.
• Experience in architecture, interior design, engineering, construction, or real estate development industry is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading business-critical marketing initiatives, including proposal and presentation development, client-facing communications, and strategic pursuit support.
• Proven ability to partner with senior leadership and practice teams to advance market positioning, client engagement and business development outcomes.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of strategic marketing practices within professional services environments, including local market positioning and pursuit strategy.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to mentor, develop, and motivate marketing staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including expertise in writing, editing, proofreading, and client-focused storytelling.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, establish timelines, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• Strong visual and graphic sensibility, with experience producing polished, brand-aligned marketing materials and presentations.
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) required; familiarity with the full Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
• Working knowledge of CRM and contact management systems (Deltek, HubSpot) preferred, with the ability to maintain accurate information and leverage data to support business development efforts.
• Ability to operate with initiative and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment, balancing strategic perspective with hands-on execution.

Many of our roles require the use of specific software. Please refer to the Required and Preferred Software & Skills for details.

Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, education and location. The reasonably expected salary range for this position in Chicago, IL is $110,000 - $125,000. Other compensation may include a discretionary bonus.

HOK invests in its people and communities, supporting both personal and professional growth through every stage of life. At HOK you'll have a hybrid work environment, 10 paid holidays (including 2 floating holidays) and a minimum of 4 weeks of paid time off with a cash out option. HOK offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, free mental wellness resources, life and AD&D coverage and short and long-term disability benefits. HOK supports your growing family by offering 4 weeks of paid parental leave and fertility coverage. HOK helps to fund your future financial needs with matching contributions to our 401(K) plan which includes a well-rounded investment menu as well as free guidance on retirement planning.

Wherever you are in your career, HOK provides opportunities to learn, develop and utilize your skills. Continued learning is promoted through financial support and study prep for licensure exams, CEU credit opportunities, mentorship programs, and paid professional memberships. To learn more about designing your career with HOK, explore our current job openings.

HOK is an EOE, including disability/vets.

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