The posting
Objective
We are seeking an experienced AEC Thought Leadership Writer to create provocative, practical, and actionable content for a long-standing paid publication serving leaders in the architecture and engineering industry.
The writer will help reinvigorate the publication's editorial voice with content that challenges the status quo, takes a strong point of view, and gives readers useful business insights they can put into practice. A key objective is to help the publication attract a new generation of subscribers, particularly rising leaders and executives in their 30s and 40s.
Profile Overview
The ideal writer has meaningful experience with the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, with particular strength in architecture and engineering/design firms. Industry familiarity is critical: the writer should understand the issues these firms face well enough to identify compelling topics, ask insightful follow-up questions, and recognize where conventional industry thinking deserves to be challenged.
This is not a traditional news-writing role. The publication is looking for thought leadership with personality and conviction. Content should have a strong point of view and be willing to be provocative or controversial when warranted, while always remaining practical, credible, and actionable.
A journalistic background is highly desirable, particularly for a writer who can research complex business topics, interview subject matter experts, uncover an interesting angle, and translate industry developments into concise, engaging articles.
Scope
- Approximately 10 hours per week / 45 hours per month to start
- Long-term engagement with an established publication
- Primary focus on a monthly paid newsletter including 9 articles each, with the potential to contribute to future digital/email newsletters and specialized content
- Preference for a larger volume of concise, high-impact articles, supplemented by one or two longer pieces as appropriate
- Potential future opportunities to contribute to dedicated or supplemental content covering topics such as AI in architecture and engineering
- Collaboration will include both assigned topics and writer-generated story pitches
Responsibilities
- Create concise short-form articles as well as more developed feature pieces.
- Cover business and management topics relevant to design firms, including artificial intelligence, talent, mergers and acquisitions, strategy, profitability, leadership, and firm growth.
- Develop compelling thought-leadership articles for executives and business leaders at architecture and engineering firms.
- Write with a strong, distinctive point of view rather than simply reporting news or summarizing information.
- Challenge conventional wisdom and question the status quo when there is a meaningful business case for doing so.
- Make provocative ideas practical by providing clear, actionable takeaways for readers.
- Pitch original story ideas based on emerging issues, business challenges, and opportunities within architecture and engineering.
- Research assigned topics and identify the questions and angles most relevant to AEC business leaders.
- Interview subject matter experts as needed and ask informed follow-up questions based on industry knowledge.
- Help evolve the publication's voice to appeal to both established executives and the next generation of AEC leaders.
- Collaborate with the editorial team on topics, revisions, and the overall content mix.
- Learn and consistently reflect the publication's established brand and editorial philosophy.
Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated writing experience within the AEC industry, ideally with significant exposure to architecture, engineering, or design firms.
- Strong understanding of the business side of running an architecture or engineering firm.
- Ability to develop original story ideas without relying exclusively on assigned topics.
- Exceptional thought-leadership, editorial, and storytelling skills.
- Ability to write concise, punchy copy with a clear point of view.
- Comfortable creating content that can be provocative and occasionally controversial while remaining credible and useful.
- Strong research and interviewing abilities, including the ability to ask knowledgeable follow-up questions.
- Ability to translate technical or complex industry developments into accessible business insights for executives.
- Familiarity with current AEC issues and trends, particularly the rapidly evolving role of AI within architecture and engineering.
- Experience writing for executives, CEOs, C-suite leaders, or other senior business audiences.
- Journalistic experience or training is strongly preferred.
- Ability to balance editorial independence and creativity with an established publication's voice and objectives.
About the Organization
The organization has served the architecture, engineering, and construction industry for more than 50 years, with deep roots in publishing business guidance for architecture and engineering firms.
Its flagship paid newsletter focuses on helping industry leaders run stronger businesses, covering subjects such as profitability, growth, strategy, leadership, talent, mergers, and emerging industry developments. The broader organization also provides services and resources such as advisory offerings, industry events, educational programs, surveys, and benchmarking data.
The publication is entering a new phase focused on restoring the bold, provocative, change-oriented editorial approach that helped establish its reputation while reaching a younger generation of architecture and engineering leaders. The right writer will have an opportunity to become a long-term contributor and help shape that evolution.
