Communications and Public Involvement Manager

About This Role

This role will lead communications and public engagement efforts for a variety of infrastructure projects, ensuring effective public outreach strategies and community liaison. The manager will develop strategic messages, manage content across various channels, and analyze campaign effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key communications and outreach consultant on infrastructure projects (transportation, water, energy)
• Implement effective public outreach strategies for infrastructure projects
• Develop effective strategies to solicit feedback and input from the public
• Serve as liaison between projects and the community
• Develop and implement strategic messages to educate the community on project purpose, need, benefits, and impacts
• Provide in-person public involvement support at tabling events, open houses, and construction sites
• Coordinate, facilitate, and participate in virtual and in-person public meetings and community events
• Manage development of strategic social media outreach plans, including research, writing, and vetting posts (X, Facebook, Instagram)
• Manage content development for communication channels (website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials, media notifications)
• Develop performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns
• Direct the work of support services (graphic design, website development, video, photography)
• Coordinate with project teams and clients on communications and public involvement alignment
• Participate in external project, agency, and community meetings
• Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to schedule
• Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients and assist with business development

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Politics, Planning or related field, or comparable experience
• 7-10 years of communications and public involvement experience
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail
• Proven experience writing and editing content for fact sheets, websites, social media, and/or media releases
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into easy-to-understand content for public consumption
• Previous experience working on infrastructure projects with a cross-discipline team
• Deadline driven with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to help de-escalate and mitigate community concerns
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work effectively with teams and demonstrate initiative to lead tasks
• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours on some nights and weekends
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full time permanent basis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Politics, Planning or related field, or comparable experience
• 7-10 years of communications and public involvement experience

Nice to Have

• Demonstrated expertise with public involvement best practices
• Communications and public involvement experience with transportation and other infrastructure projects
• Knowledge of and project experience working with local public agencies
• Established relationships with local public agency staff
• Previous experience with team management
• Previous experience with elected official, stakeholder, and media communications
• Previous experience managing blended teams with subconsultants
• Contract management and business development experience, including developing proposals, scopes and budgets
• Experience interviewing for future projects
• Experience and knowledge of Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Boise, ID, Las Vegas, NV, and/or Montana markets
• Local candidates preferred

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits