Senior Communications Specialist

HDR•Los Angeles, CA

11d

About The Position

The Senior Communications Specialist serves as a liaison between project teams and external stakeholders, including elected officials, businesses, community groups, and special-interest groups. The role plans and carries out publicity, outreach, and communication efforts to understand community needs, gather input, build support, and promote projects. It works with agency staff, stakeholders, and contractors to resolve concerns and disagreements, and researches sensitive incidents and complaints to help find solutions. The specialist supports project and department management with presentations, community outreach, and coordination of construction activities and mitigations. The role develops public-facing communication tools and collateral, keeps communities and elected officials informed about construction impacts, and prepares correspondence, reports, newsletters, and talking materials. It also conducts safety education outreach, coordinates project tours, and stays informed about project activities, programs, and applicable regulations through meetings.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in a communications field of expertise, such as social media, event planning, community engagement, target marketing, descriptive writing, or public involvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently with multiple teams and contribute as a team member.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a positive outlook and attitude.
High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues.
Commitment to active participation in the employee-owned culture.
Comfort and competence working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts.
Demonstrated ability to operate strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
Commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of community relations experience involving construction activities, government agencies, businesses, and the general public.
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, political science, or a related field is desirable.
Proficiency in a second language, such as Spanish.

Responsibilities

Act as a high-level liaison between project teams and external stakeholders, including elected officials, businesses, community groups, and special-interest groups.
Plan and implement publicity efforts, strategies, and outreach programs—or attend them—to identify community needs, obtain input, gain support, and promote projects.
Meet with agency staff, external stakeholders, and project contractors to resolve divergent opinions and reach mutually acceptable solutions.
Research incidents, complaints, and concerns, including sensitive issues, and work with contractors and management to resolve them.
Recommend strategies that promote agency strategic goals and objectives.
Prepare and deliver presentations to management, public officials, community groups, schools, and other stakeholders.
Support project and department management with Board presentations, community outreach, and coordination of construction activities and mitigations.
Provide input on useful communication tools and methods.
Develop collateral material to educate the public about construction activities.
Keep the community and elected officials informed about construction impacts related to projects.
Attend Board, project, and community meetings to stay current on activities, programs, and applicable regulations.
Prepare correspondence, reports, newsletters, and talking materials as requested by management or public officials.
Plan and conduct safety education outreach before and during construction projects.
Coordinate and conduct project tours.