Principal Strategic Communications Consultant

About the role

The Principal Strategic Communications Consultant is a senior-level position designed to drive growth and ensure excellence in project delivery within Strategic Communications. This individual will be responsible for embedding strategic communication leadership early in the project lifecycle to manage risk, align messaging, and support critical permitting, siting, and program execution activities. This role will also provide vital cross-sector support to local teams and focus on converting strategic communication opportunities into booked work, particularly within the MISO, SPP, and PJM markets. The successful candidate will strengthen service line integration and build our market position through active coordination with business development and sector leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior strategic communications leadership and/or project management on infrastructure projects to manage risk, align messaging, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
• Cook up with business development and market/sector leadership to strengthen service line integration and capitalize on market opportunities.
• Offer deep strategic communications expertise and support to both Power and non-Power sector teams in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and surrounding states.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, including regional cooperatives, and act as a trusted advisor.
• Lead media and public relations efforts, including developing key messages and written materials for various campaigns and outreach programs.

Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, prioritize among tasks, and set and meet deadlines.
• Track record of leading successful strategic communications strategy and work products.
• Professional experience in the infrastructure industry, specifically power and energy infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that infrastructure is facing today and will continue to face in the future.
• Experience in the A/E/C industry.
• Proven skills in media relations, public relations, messaging, and professional writing.
• Track record of successful business development and client management.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and provide senior leadership.
• Established connections with regional electric cooperatives and utilities.
• Experience working within the MISO, SPP, and PJM market regions.
• Familiarity with AI-powered tools such as Copilot and Google Gemini.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, prioritize among tasks, and set and meet deadlines.
• Track record of leading successful strategic communications strategy and work products.
• Professional experience in the infrastructure industry, specifically power and energy infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that infrastructure is facing today and will continue to face in the future.
• Experience in the A/E/C industry.
• Proven skills in media relations, public relations, messaging, and professional writing.
• Track record of successful business development and client management.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and provide senior leadership.
• Established connections with regional electric cooperatives and utilities.
• Experience working within the MISO, SPP, and PJM market regions.
• Familiarity with AI-powered tools such as Copilot and Google Gemini.

Benefits

We believe in fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, where every employee feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. HDR is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we strive to create an environment where all employees can thrive.