Vice President of Brand

OverviewResponsible for leading the firm’s brand strategy and visual identity, ensuring that HKS is consistently represented as a bold, innovative, and trusted architecture firm across every practice and region.Owns brand positioning, guidelines, creative direction, and brand governance, and ensures brand equity is protected and amplified across all channels. Partners closely with Practice Marketing Directors (PMDs), Centers of Excellence (COEs), and firmwide leadership to make sure the HKS brand shows up consistently while adapting appropriately for market needs.ResponsibilitiesDefines, manages, and evolves the HKS brand strategy and architectureEnsures brand consistency across all practices, regions, and officesCreates brand governance frameworks and enforce adoption across marketing and BD functionsLeads the development of brand campaigns and creative assets that reinforce HKS’s positioningOversees visual identity, design systems, and templates to support both practice and regional needsPartners with COEs (Creative, Digital, PR) to ensure brand is integrated across every touchpointPartners with PMDs to translate practice strategies into brand-aligned assets, campaigns, and contentEnsures practice value propositions are consistently expressed in all materialsPartners with firmwide leadership to localize the brand for regional relevance while protecting consistencyDevelops scalable brand tools, playbooks, and templates for regional teams and local coordinatorsProvides direct brand support for priority regional campaigns and pursuitsDefines KPIs to measure brand strength (awareness, perception, consistency)Monitors adoption of brand guidelines and consistency of execution across practices and regionsReports regularly to CMO and firm leadership on brand performance and alignmentCollaborates with PR, Digital, and Creative teams to deliver fully integrated campaignsProvides high level of interactive service to others, building relationships, addressing identified needs and following through with implementing resolutions for the firm’s brand identity systemStays current on trends and developments in graphic designModels and holds others accountable to the firm’s cultural values, including a commitment to quality, innovation, learning and growthOversees and actively invests in the professional development of staff through mentoring, performance management and career planningLeads efforts in attracting, training, retaining, growing and recognizing diverse talentManages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team environmentPartners with leadership, business development and marketing teams to implement/maintain the strategic plan goals for brandFosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the project team, including promoting communication and creating approachabilityTakes personal responsibility for fostering a green workplace through sustainable work practicesDevelops budgets and timelines of team projects in collaboration with Chief Marketing OfficerResponsible for the financial implications of overhead and chargeable time, including accountability to project plan and planned utilization rateCollaborates in managing projects to satisfy requirements with best possible ROI and delivering projects on defined budget requirementsCollaborates with practice leaders and Marketing team to ensure the brand is presented across all tactics and assets in a synchronized and impactful wayQualificationsBachelor’s degree in Advertising or related degreeTypically with 15+ years of experience in advertising/design agency environment, with experience in brand strategy and visual identity within a global or matrixed organizationProficiency in Adobe Creative Suite such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketchup graphic softwareProficiency in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferredPrior experience in professional services or design industriesSuccessful track record with managing a team and performing duties in a fast-paced environmentProven experience in successfully scaling a global brand in a competitive market landscapeProven ability to balance consistency with flexibility across diverse practices and marketsProven ability to work across stakeholder groups, functional areas, geographies, and differing levels of seniorityProven ability in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutionsExcellent writing skills with leadership experience in creative direction, storytelling, and visual communicationExcellent attention to detail and commitment to excellenceExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and clients; ability to forge trusting relationships within a diverse teamStrong presentation skillsStrong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same timeAbility to thrive in a complex, matrixed global organizationAbility to influence senior stakeholders across practices, regions, and BD teamsAbility to measure and report brand performanceAbility to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and externalAbility to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writingAbility to proactively problem solve and apply innovative solutionsAbility to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize workAbility to effectively meet deadlines at expected qualityTravel may be requiredIf you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran