Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist

HNTB Corporation•Detroit, MI

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

At HNTB, you can invest in a career that is meaningful and rewarding to you while making a difference for Michigan communities that matter to all of us. As part of a nationwide firm, HNTB Michigan has been a part of delivering solutions for some of the largest and most innovative infrastructure projects across the state. With our historic growth and several office locations across the state, it is an exciting time to join our team of passionate professionals and employee owners working to build a better tomorrow. HNTB is seeking a Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist to support a diverse portfolio of impactful transportation projects across Michigan, with opportunities to lead engagement efforts on high-profile and complex initiatives. The position will focus on developing and implementing strategic communications and engagement plans for public agency transportation clients. This role leads the development of communication strategies, materials, and digital and print content that support project goals and inform the community and key project stakeholders. The Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist will lead stakeholder and community engagement efforts, support the planning and facilitation of public meetings and workshops, and coordinate closely with clients and multidisciplinary project teams, including planning, environmental, and engineering staff, to ensure alignment with project goals, schedules, and technical work. This role also ensures public input is effectively captured, documented, and integrated into project communications and deliverables. Responsibilities also include task management, research, data gathering, and developing clear, public-facing messaging and communication resources to support project delivery.

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
Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to lead development of clear, public‑facing 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
Ability to lead research efforts and synthesize findings into clear materials for internal and external use
Experience overseeing stakeholder databases and engagement tracking, including directing updates and maintaining data quality
Ability to plan and lead public meetings, workshops, and outreach efforts, including overseeing logistics, materials, and deliverables
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

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or supporting public engagement for large infrastructure or transportation projects
Experience working with public sector 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.
Helps develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and reviews draft reports to indicate a campaign's milestones.
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.