Ware Malcomb is a Zweig Best Firm to Work For

By Leslie Espiritu, Director, Human Resources

What does it take to be a best firm? For Ware Malcomb, the answer is our people, company culture, and the many opportunities for professional growth and development. Below, team member quotes from the Zweig Best Firm to Work For survey reflect the cornerstones of what makes Ware Malcomb a best firm to work for.

 “We have a tightknit group of talented, hard-working individuals that form a talented team.”

Our people and their relationships with each other are important to our success. Strong teams are built through collaboration in the office and time spent together. Social activities bring us together for fun and adventure. Our Toronto office participated in a captive escape room while the Phoenix team tested their analytical skills in a riddle escape room. The New York and New Jersey offices held a joint beach day. Our Mexico City office went on a rafting adventure while Studio A, our in-house production resource group, enjoyed a Duffy boat ride.

Firmwide celebrations include our annual Holiday Party and Halloween Party.  Our end-of-the year holiday celebration, attended by all team members, celebrates our team’s accomplishments, builds camaraderie and creates a sense of family. The Halloween celebration is a beloved Ware Malcomb tradition that involves all 22 offices showcasing their costume design and pumpkin carving creativity.

“We have a great company culture which makes an environment that people want to be a part of.”

Throughout the year Ware Malcomb celebrates employee milestones, whether they be personal or professional. Wedding and baby showers celebrate life’s important moments.  Milestone service anniversaries are commemorated with personal notes of congratulations collected from around the firm.

Ware Malcomb has a rich philanthropic history. We recently launched Culture Designed to Care, a program that celebrates our culture of giving and renewed focus on doing even more.

In a campaign started this year, Ware Malcomb partnered with The United Way for a firmwide food drive. Donations from each office benefitted local United Way efforts.  Our Panama office generated support by publicizing the food drive to the surrounding business community. They personally delivered the food to students at a local school supported by United Way. Companywide we proudly collected over 1,400 pounds of food.

Local community involvement ranges from run/walk fund raisers to donating needed supplies. Support of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Orange County, CA spans 7 years with over $90,000 raised. Our Chicago offices have donated more than 26,500 pounds of food during their 5-year participation of CANstruction, a competition in which structures are built from cans of food that benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Our Denver team’s Pack to School program helps provide children with backpacks and school supplies. Six years of participation has raised nearly $80,000 and provided more than 3,000 backpacks.

Ware Malcomb continues to innovate as a firm through our WM 4.0 continuous improvement program. The program creates opportunities for everyone to share their ideas to improve and innovate within our company, ultimately benefiting our team members and clients. Our Culture Designed to Care initiative was an idea generated from employee suggestions. Team members frequently mention the value they feel in having their voices heard.

“The sky is the limit for what you can achieve.”

When our team members succeed the company succeeds. Many of our talented leaders have built their careers at Ware Malcomb. For example, Chicago Principal and Architect, Cameron Trefry started as an intern and grew with the company into his current position leading our Chicago offices. Several interns credit Ware Malcomb with laying the foundation for a prosperous career. As a supporter of United Way’s Youth Career Connection internship program, we provide high school students real-world career experience. Another popular career advancement tool is our firmwide mentoring program. It provides coaching and guidance for customized professional development.

One employee shared: “WM is an excellent firm that values employee initiatives and concerns. They strive to help not only the business to succeed, but each individual’s career. They allow staff of various levels to participate in efforts to improve and strengthen the firm’s presence in the industry and improve the overall employee experience.”

To join the Ware Malcomb team, visit https://waremalcomb.theresumator.com/apply