Communications Manager

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture is an award-winning, fully integrated architecture and interior design practice with offices in Austin and Houston. Our work is rooted in hospitality and placemaking and includes diverse projects that range from large mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse projects, public realm design, architectural branding, single family homes, hotels, restaurants, workspaces, and bespoke furniture design. We work throughout Texas and across the country in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Communications Manager to join our Austin, TX office and Marketing team. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven professional with a positive attitude who will play a vital role in supporting our firm and brand. A working knowledge of project accounting, architectural practices, and contracts are preferred.

This is a hybrid position based in Austin, TX, requiring a minimum of three days per week working in person from our Austin office.

Position Responsibilities

PR & Communications

• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact with MHOA's external PR agency partner, coordinating pitches, press releases, and media alerts for project launches, awards, and firm milestones.
• Draft and edit press materials, project narratives, and executive talking points in MHOA's established voice - understated and sensory, describing how a space feels and functions rather than leaning on architectural jargon.
• Maintain the firm's social media brand voice and posting standards (including Instagram), ensuring consistent tone, explicit project/photographer credits, and formatting conventions across channels.
• Manage the awards submissions calendar and assist with entry writing, image selection, and deadlines.
• Track and support thought-leadership opportunities - speaking engagements, conference presentations, and leadership visibility moments for principals.
• Handle confidentiality and embargo protocols for unannounced projects before they're cleared for press.

Photo Shoots & Visual Content

• Schedule and coordinate professional photography for completed projects, groundbreakings, and key construction milestones, working directly with photographers on shot lists, access, and timing.
• Maintain and organize the firm's photo and video library, including licensing terms and photographer/stylist credit records.
• Coordinate production of construction banners and other on-site visual collateral.
• Support video and content shoots for social, web, and proposal use.

Client Management

• Support client engagement touchpoints - gifts, event attendance, groundbreaking ceremonies, and other moments that reinforce MHOA's client relationships (roughly 70% of MHOA's projects come from repeat clients, so this consistency matters).
• Draft client-facing communications and administer project completion questionnaires.
• Maintain the client contact database and flag opportunities for renewed outreach or repeat business.
• Coordinate logistics for client entertainment and appreciation events.

RFP & Proposal Support

• Own or co-own recurring RFP/RFQ sections - Firm Profile, Project Team, Relevant Experience, and Client List & References - keeping boilerplate content current between pursuits.
• Support proposal production: formatting, QA, image sourcing, and coordinating input from project teams and principals against deadlines.
• Maintain and refresh the firm's portfolio and case-study library used across pursuits.
• Assist with populating pursuit records in the firm's CRM/BD tracking systems.

Business Development Administration

• Maintain and update BD pipeline and tracking materials (weekly pipeline reporting, master tracker) with light, recurring data entry.
• Support the Go/No-Go evaluation process by pulling together client and opportunity research ahead of decision meetings.
• Coordinate logistics for networking events, client research briefs, and BD meeting scheduling.
• Assist with logistics and communications for MHOA's Design for All pro bono program.

What You Bring

• 4-7 years of experience in communications, PR, marketing, or client relations - ideally within architecture, design, real estate, hospitality, or another project-based professional services environment.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adopt and protect an established brand voice.
• Experience art directing and coordinating photographers, videographers, or other creative vendors and shoots.
• Comfort managing multiple deadline-driven workstreams across PR, proposals, and client touchpoints simultaneously.
• A discreet, detail-oriented approach to confidential client and project information.
• Familiarity with CRM or BD tracking tools is a plus, not a requirement.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily performed in an office environment.

To perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to:

• Remain stationary and work at a computer workstation for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequently operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with team members, candidates, clients, vendors, and external partners in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Move throughout the office to attend meetings, collaborate with team members, and support day-to-day operations.
• Occasionally transport or move office supplies, equipment, packages, or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Visually review documents, spreadsheets, reports, and digital information for accuracy and completeness.

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