Senior Strategic Communications Manager

HDR•Houston, TX

About The Position

HDR is seeking a Senior Strategic Communications Manager to join its global Strategic Communications program, a full-service communications, engagement, and creative practice focused on bringing people together in planning and infrastructure projects and supporting connected, equitable, and sustainable communities. The role develops, manages, and executes communication and engagement activities for infrastructure projects of varying sizes and complexity. The manager works with the broader Strategic Communications team and takes direction from project managers and clients, while serving as a strategic communications consultant to clients and project teams. The position drives project communications and engagement strategy, collaborates across teams, and manages task scopes, schedules, and budgets. The role also provides strategic counsel to project teams and client leadership, oversees communications deliverables and public engagement activities, manages subconsultants, and represents HDR in professional and industry settings. HDR describes itself as an employee-owned company committed to inclusion, collaboration, and employee participation.

Requirements

At least 10 years of relevant industry experience, including management experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently with multiple teams and collaboratively as part of a team.
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a positive outlook and attitude.
Ability to manage and solve tactical issues.
Commitment to participating actively in HDR’s employee-owned culture.
Comfort and competence working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts.
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

Master’s degree.
Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
Experience with communications related to flood risk, drinking water, wastewater, power, data centers, gas, or terminals.
Working knowledge of public administration, funding and appropriations, federal programs, policy development, and/or program management to guide project planning.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of communication and engagement strategies and plans for large, complex projects, including representing HDR independently in client meetings.
Develop and manage communications task proposals, scopes, schedules, and budgets.
Provide strategic counsel to project teams, aligning recommendations with community priorities and project objectives.
Advise client leadership, boards, and governing bodies on communications, stakeholder engagement, and public-facing issues.
Define messaging strategies for talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts.
Promote technology-forward engagement solutions to improve project outcomes, public participation, stakeholder understanding, and project-team decision-making.
Lead interdisciplinary project teams in delivering physical, digital, and experiential communications products.
Plan and manage formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees, and other stakeholder meetings.
Build and maintain productive working relationships with team members, subconsultants, and clients.
Manage subconsultants and ensure quality of work.
Represent HDR in professional associations and industry events.