Rachel Kennedy, Founder of Southern Lighthouse, an employer branding for construction companies specialist

Build your brand to attract talent

With almost two decades of experience in recruitment and storytelling, I help commercial construction leaders and HR professionals draw in industry-leading talent and build stronger brands.

I founded Southern Lighthouse with a passion for transforming company stories into powerful tools for growth. Through strategic messaging and employer branding, I illuminate your unique strengths to drive meaningful results. Let’s work together to make your brand shine.

A strong employer brand is essential for attracting top talent and building a robust reputation. 

However, many firms struggle to articulate their unique stories and effectively utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential candidates and clients. By crafting a compelling narrative and leveraging LinkedIn's network of over 800 million members, your company can stand out, engage the right audience, and drive growth.

88%

The number of job seekers who thoroughly evaluate a company’s employer brand before applying for a role.

43%

The reduction in hiring costs achieved by companies with a strong employer brand.

75%

The percentage of active job seekers likely to apply to a job if the employer actively manages its employer brand.

Ways we can work together

  • Conference room to promote Southern Lighthouse’s speaking and keynote services

    Speaking

    Ready to elevate your brand’s impact? From dynamic keynotes to interactive Lunch & Learn sessions, my speaking engagements are tailored to help you and your team stand out. Topics include:

    Topics include:

    • Personal Branding Masterclass
    • Content Writing for Recruiters
    • How To Leverage LinkedIn to Win Projects and Top Talent
    • The Power of Employer Branding: How to Position Yourself as an Employer of Choice

  • Laptop to promote Southern Lighthouse’s coaching services

    Coaching

    Take your LinkedIn strategy to the next level with personalized coaching. The Brand Accelerator program offers in-depth coaching designed for professionals and teams, providing sustainable strategies to build authority, engage your audience, and drive meaningful results. For a tailored experience that empowers your entire team, contact me about the Brand Accelerator for companies. Let’s work together to transform your LinkedIn presence and grow your firm.

  • Conference room with construction team to promote Southern Lighthouse’s employer branding services

    Employer Branding

    Stand out in today’s competitive market with an employer brand that appeals to top talent. These services are offered on a limited basis. If you’re ready to enhance your company’s reputation, engage employees, and foster a culture that stands out, let’s connect to discuss how we can create an impactful strategy together. Spaces are limited.

Get Started
Rachel Kennedy, Founder of Southern Lighthouse, an employer branding for construction companies specialist 
Rachel Kennedy, Founder of southern lighthouse

From corporate recruiter to employer branding expert

As an in-house recruiter at design-build firm The Beck Group and The Container Store, I discovered the power of storytelling in attracting candidates who aligned with our company's mission and values.

In 2020, amid the challenges of a global pandemic, I founded Southern Lighthouse to help businesses illuminate their unique narratives and become employers of choice.

I’m proud to have supported more than 40 businesses in developing meaningful marketing and messaging strategies that resonate with culturally aligned talent.

  • “I want to tell you how great it is to work with Rachel. She is prepared, thoughtful, on point, and delivering tangible results in an area that can sometimes feel a little nebulous.”

    Julie Strong

    CEO, C1S Group

  • “Rachel has helped showcase our staff and our culture to our current and future clients. She was professional and a pleasure to work with. She fit right into our culture, understanding who we are, what we do, and how best to market our brand.”

    Brian Lipka
    COO

  • “Southern Lighthouse helped us identify what is unique about our company culture, skill sets, and passion. We walked away with a better definition of our company values and brand.”

    Alan Tonissen
    Principal, Moorish Design

  • “In a very minimal amount of time, she helped us create a whole new career page for potential candidates to get a good understanding of our culture, and we also have a wonderful candidate in the pipeline for a high-level role.”

    Rebecca Buell
    CFO, National Breast Cancer Foundation

  • “Thanks in no small measure to Rachel’s training for our organization, we are down to a 2% vacancy rate.”

    Shannah Hayley
    Director of Communications, City of Plano

FAQs

  • We follow the ABCs in order to build a comprehensive strategy. Every project starts with an Audit, then we Build Your Story & Strategy, and finally Create Strategic Content.

  • I work primarily with HR, Marketing, and executive leaders who want to attract culturally aligned talent and strengthen their company’s reputation. I primarily serve the construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate industries, but the same strategies apply across industries. If you’re a growing firm looking to stand out in a competitive market, I can help.

  • Results depend on your specific goals and the scope of the project. However, many clients start seeing increased engagement and better alignment with talent within the first few months of implementing a tailored strategy.

  • I combine over a decade of recruitment experience with storytelling expertise to craft authentic, compelling narratives that resonate with your target audience. My strategies are designed to highlight your company’s unique strengths and deliver measurable outcomes.

  • Yes! In addition to helping companies, I also provide LinkedIn coaching and personal branding support for leaders who want to enhance their online presence and stand out in their industry.

  • I focus on leveraging LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, to connect you with the right prospects and clients. However, I also provide guidance on how to integrate messaging across other relevant platforms for a cohesive and impactful brand presence.

Let’s make your brand stand out where it really matters