Public Engagement & Strategic Communications Manager

About the role

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better.

Our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines—including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation—reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth.

The Strategic Communications Project Manager will develop, execute, and manage communication and public outreach activities on a variety of infrastructure projects. This is a person who is passionate about community engagement, loves to collaborate, and has a habit of thinking outside the box as a member of a high-performing team.

Who You Are

• Forward-thinking and comfortable working on multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating effectively with colleagues in both content and technical development.
• Deep understanding of NEPA and how infrastructure projects are developed under these guidelines.
• Skilled at leading and facilitating contentious public meetings, public hearings, open houses, and other meetings with the public, clients, and other project stakeholders.
• Strong writer, skilled at defining and articulating messages; describes self as a storyteller.
• Exceptionally organized with an almost obsessive attention to detail; highly driven with the ability to manage several projects and meet deadlines.
• Record of accomplishment creating and implementing communications plans that include target audience strategies, marketing and advertising plans, event planning, and collateral material development and implementation.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing projects, including preparing and monitoring scope and budget, preparing and implementing schedules, and coordinating with team members to deliver successful projects.
• Highly creative with an understanding of clear communication across multiple channels and mediums.
• Lifelong learner who researches new technologies and trends, pushing clients and the team to innovate.
• Self-starter who thrives and adapts in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of scope, schedule, and budget for tasks and standalone projects.
• Interface with client and/or client-facing teams to coordinate delivery of a successful project.
• Lead communications strategy development for planning, design, and construction projects.
• Lead campaign development activities including target audience analysis, branding, messaging, and market research.
• Direct customer-facing communication in a variety of mediums including social, print, video, and web.
• Lead concept development, writing, and editing of collateral materials such as surveys, newsletters, websites, handouts, videos, advertisements, press releases, and public notices.
• Coordinate with creative disciplines including graphic design, web development, and social media to maintain consistency of brand, saturation of messaging, and user experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous work experience in the infrastructure industry.
• Deep knowledge of communications plans and campaigns for public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and public relations.
• Proven ability to develop compelling stories that strengthen messaging and engagement strategies for a program, initiative, or project.
• Strong project management skills.
• Commitment to a rigorous quality control process.
• Willingness to travel.
• Experience collaborating with graphic designers, web developers, and social media strategists to ensure cohesive message and user experience.
• Experience writing for multiple mediums including social, print, audio/video, and web.
• Service- and client-oriented personality with previous consulting experience.
• Self-starter; can work well independently or in a team environment.
• Experience leading social media campaigns.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal requirements for public involvement.
• Experience in community advocacy, NEPA, CEQA, and infrastructure projects.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 7 years relevant industry experience, including management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently with multiple teams as well as in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills with a positive outlook and attitude.
• High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues.
• Commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.
• Comfortable and competent working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
• Committed to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite—InDesign.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.