Senior Public Outreach Coordinator - Transportation Market

Gresham Smith•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions. What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork. When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered. As a Senior Public Outreach Coordinator, you will lead the development and implementation of public engagement structures and strategies for a variety of transportation, infrastructure, and development projects, including public education and engagement efforts. You will provide strategic counsel to internal teams, clients, and partners on public communication best practices and risk mitigation strategies to enhance collaboration. You will oversee the design and facilitation of community outreach initiatives, including public meetings, open houses, pop-up events, and digital engagement activities. You will direct the creation of high-impact communication materials, including presentations, media kits, newsletters, flyers, websites, and multimedia content. You will develop fact sheets, talking points, media responses, op-eds, and other materials to support client and project team communications. You will develop and manage content strategies for social media and digital platforms to promote projects and increase public awareness, incorporating behavior-change research into campaign planning and implementation. You will serve as the senior liaison for education-focused projects and pilot programs, coordinating among project teams, community stakeholders, and agency partners to ensure clear, transparent, and responsive communication. You will analyze engagement data and public feedback to refine outreach methods and improve future initiatives. You will mentor junior staff and provide guidance on outreach planning, content development, and stakeholder engagement techniques. You will represent Gresham Smith at high-level stakeholder meetings, public forums, and industry events. Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Urban Planning, or a related field, with a master’s degree considered a plus
A minimum of seven years of experience in public outreach, community engagement, public affairs, or a related discipline, preferably within the engineering, transportation, or infrastructure sectors
A proven track record of designing and leading successful public engagement initiatives and supporting behavior-change campaigns across multiple channels
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
Strong proficiency with digital engagement tools, social media strategy, and analytics
Experience facilitating discussions, resolving conflicts, and managing sensitive community concerns
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Flexibility to work outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, based on project needs

Nice To Haves

master’s degree considered a plus
preferably within the engineering, transportation, or infrastructure sectors

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of public engagement structures and strategies for a variety of transportation, infrastructure, and development projects, including public education and engagement efforts
Provide strategic counsel to internal teams, clients, and partners on public communication best practices and risk mitigation strategies to enhance collaboration
Oversee the design and facilitation of community outreach initiatives, including public meetings, open houses, pop-up events, and digital engagement activities
Direct the creation of high-impact communication materials, including presentations, media kits, newsletters, flyers, websites, and multimedia content
Develop fact sheets, talking points, media responses, op-eds, and other materials to support client and project team communications
Develop and manage content strategies for social media and digital platforms to promote projects and increase public awareness, incorporating behavior-change research into campaign planning and implementation
Serve as the senior liaison for education-focused projects and pilot programs, coordinating among project teams, community stakeholders, and agency partners to ensure clear, transparent, and responsive communication
Analyze engagement data and public feedback to refine outreach methods and improve future initiatives
Mentor junior staff and provide guidance on outreach planning, content development, and stakeholder engagement techniques
Represent Gresham Smith at high-level stakeholder meetings, public forums, and industry events