Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist

About the role

HNTB is seeking a Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist to support a diverse portfolio of impactful transportation projects across Michigan. The position will focus on developing and implementing strategic communications and engagement plans for public agency transportation clients.

Responsibilities

• Develops and helps implement effective dissemination of outreach materials, facts and information on project messaging and supports client activities to stakeholders according to the public outreach plan including external agencies, associations, and news organizations using print, periodicals, radio, social and/or visual communication media.
• Reviews and refines records and reports related to public involvement meetings, forums and public hearings as well as tracks social engagement and other digital strategies as needed.
• Drafts speeches, creates and designs presentation materials, prepares remarks, briefing documents and/or composes correspondence for use in mailings, meetings, workshops and other public events.
• Responsible for initial fact checking for reports, articles, and other publications.
• Develops and implements digital strategies for use on web-based communications, including but not limited to websites and social channels.
• Supports coordination efforts for public meetings and engagements to best support outreach and initiative goals.
• Interacts with clients to coordinate implementation of communication programs and goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 6 years of relevant experience, or
• In lieu of education, 10 years of relevant experience

Qualifications

• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to lead development of clear, public-friendly messaging across deliverables.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, public-friendly messaging for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing production workflows, prioritizing deliverables, and maintaining quality across fast-paced, concurrent projects.
• Public engagement, media relations, and community engagement expertise, including leading outreach strategy and execution.
• Proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft tools, with experience producing high-quality materials and reviewing work of less-experienced staff.
• Experience developing and guiding social media strategy and content, providing direction to junior staff.
• Experience overseeing stakeholder databases and engagement tracking, including directing updates and maintaining data quality.
• Experience coordinating with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver engagement products aligned with project goals and schedules.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure quality control and consistency across all materials and make informed editorial decisions.

Preferred

• Experience leading or supporting public engagement for large infrastructure or transportation projects.
• Experience working with public sector clients.