Workforce & Community Partnerships Manager

KBR, Inc.•Richmond, VA

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides solutions across the asset life cycle, including licensed process technologies, advisory services, technical expertise, energy transition solutions, design capabilities, and solutions to optimize planned and operating assets. KBR is seeking a Workforce & Community Partnerships Manager to develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies that foster positive relationships between the project and local communities, elected officials, government agencies, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. The role establishes and manages a regional workforce development program to support project execution and the client’s long-term operational staffing objectives. It builds partnerships that create sustainable pipelines of skilled craft professionals, technicians, engineers, and future operations personnel, and coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, local participation, training, and readiness activities throughout project execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Human Resources, Communications, Political Science, Public Relations, Community Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in community relations, government affairs, public engagement, external affairs, corporate communications, or stakeholder management.
Demonstrated experience supporting large capital projects exceeding $500 million in total installed cost.
Strong understanding of government processes, public engagement practices, and stakeholder management principles.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholder groups, including elected officials, community leaders, regulatory agencies, and business organizations.
Experience managing complex public issues and stakeholder concerns in highly visible project environments.
Strong organizational, planning, and project management capabilities.
Familiarity with EPC/EPCM project delivery models and large construction programs.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or other GMP-regulated facilities.
Prior experience in an Owner’s Representative or PMC role for major capital projects exceeding $1B TIC.
Experience with economic development, workforce development, and community investment initiatives.
Experience with public consultation programs, permitting support, and regulatory stakeholder engagement.
Experience working with EPC/EPCM project delivery organizations and owner-led capital programs.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a workforce development strategy supporting construction, commissioning, startup, and operational staffing requirements, aligned with project growth and business objectives.
Establish and manage partnerships with universities, community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development organizations to build talent pipelines for skilled trades, technical, engineering, manufacturing, and operational roles.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, economic development agencies, workforce boards, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, and public-sector partners.
Coordinate local workforce participation, workforce readiness, internships, apprenticeships, co-op programs, and targeted recruitment initiatives.
Monitor labor market conditions, workforce availability, demographic trends, training capacity, and competitive hiring risks; provide forecasts and recommendations to project leadership.
Develop and manage community outreach initiatives, educational programs, workforce awareness campaigns, STEM engagement activities, and community investment programs.
Support workforce diversity objectives by collaborating with educational institutions, professional organizations, community groups, and recruitment partners to expand access to employment and training for underrepresented populations.
Coordinate workforce readiness for the transition from construction to operations, including training, onboarding, skills development, and workforce mobilization.
Establish KPIs and reporting mechanisms covering workforce development outcomes, recruitment effectiveness, local hiring participation, community engagement, partnership performance, and workforce readiness.