Strategic Communications Project Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Overview:

HDR is seeking a dynamic and experienced Strategic Communications Project Manager to join our team and lead communications and engagement in the transportation markets throughout the Midwest. This role is ideal for a highly organized, detail-oriented professional who is passionate about community engagement, enjoys collaboration, is excited about leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing strategic communications and public engagement initiatives for transportation projects.

Our Strategic Communications program is a global team of communicators who are passionate about putting people first in planning and infrastructure. As a full-service community engagement and creative practice, we develop and implement ideas to bring people together in projects of every size and sector, fostering understanding and building more connected, equitable, and sustainable communities.

This position requires deep knowledge of public involvement, public relations, and community engagement strategies, as well as the ability to listen, develop unique strategies, and identify team synergies focused on solving the challenges facing our clients. Familiarity with transportation planning, construction communications, and public engagement is desired.

As Strategic Communications professionals, we work with our client's brand - not HDR - to strengthen our client's messaging and engagement strategies for a program, initiative, or project.

Who You Are

• You are comfortable working on multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating effectively with colleagues in both content and technical development.
• You are capable of leading and facilitating public meetings, public hearings, open houses, and other meetings with the public, clients, and other project stakeholders.
• You have strong writing skills and are skilled at defining and articulating a message.
• You are exceptionally organized, with strong attention to detail, and highly driven with the ability to manage several projects and meet deadlines.
• You have a record of creating and implementing communications plans that included target audience strategies, marketing and advertising plans, event planning, and collateral material development and implementation.
• You have a demonstrated track record of successfully managing projects, including preparing and monitoring scope and budget, preparing and implementing schedules, and coordinating with team members to deliver successful projects.
• You understand the importance of clear communication across multiple channels and mediums.
• You are constantly researching new technologies and trends, pushing clients and the team to innovate.
• You thrive and adapt in fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities:

In the role of Strategic Communications Project Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Team Collaboration: Work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams, including creative staff, coordinator staff, and technical colleagues, to achieve project goals.
• Public Engagement: Lead and facilitate public meetings, hearings, open houses, and other stakeholder engagements for planning, design and construction projects.
• Strategic Writing: Develop clear, compelling messages and materials for various audiences, including surveys, newsletters, websites, handouts, videos, advertisements, press releases and public notices.
• Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Responsibilities include scope and budget preparation, schedule implementation, and team coordination.
• Communication Plans: Create and execute comprehensive communications plans, including audience strategies, marketing and advertising plans, event planning, and collateral development.
• Client Relationships: Maintain and build relationships at the highest levels within client organizations, including agency directors and leadership teams.
• Facilitation: Conduct effective group facilitation, both with large and small groups, to identify and address key issues.
• Industry Expertise: Provide insights into the transportation industry, translating technical details into accessible language and compelling stories that influence target markets.
• Business Development: Lead and support business development, proposals, and other marketing activities to bring in Strategic Communications work.
• Travel: Travel up to 20% for industry conferences, client and project meetings, engagement meetings, workshops, and HDR events.
• Mentoring: Encourage a culture of continuous learning and development for younger staff on our local team and throughout our program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: Proven experience in strategic communications, particularly within the transportation industry.
• Writing Skills: Strong expertise in writing and storytelling, with the ability to simplify complex technical information.
• Organization: Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead projects and teams, with experience in the public and/or private sectors.
• Client Focus: Ability to maintain and develop client relationships, with experience working with high-level organizational leadership.
• Facilitation Skills: Trained or experienced facilitator comfortable working with diverse groups.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, including experience with scope, schedule, and budget management.
• Technical Proficiency: Ability to quickly learn and leverage HDR's capabilities and resources.
• Flexibility: Adaptable and thrives in fast-paced environments.
• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20%.
• Previous work experience in the transportation infrastructure industry, is preferred.
• 8 years of experience.
• Experience in the energy, transportation, and/or water markets is preferred.
• Previous consulting or project management experience preferred.

Physical Expectations/Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds without assistance
• Must be able to effectively communicate in person, by telephone, and via email
• Must be able to independently get yourself to meetings and events

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 7 years related experience
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis ParkIndustry: Strategic CommunicationsSchedule: Full-timeEmployee Status: RegularBusinessClass: Strategic CommunicationsJob Posting: Jul 17, 2024

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

USA: We are a Federal Contractor, Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified candidates regardless of minority, veteran, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or any other status protected by law.

CANADA: We welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

AUSTRALIA: We consider all qualified candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, country of birth, political or religious affiliation, health status, or any other status protected by law.

At HDR, health and safety matters.

For some positions, you may be required to provide drug and alcohol testing, before or during employment, based on our Drug Testing and Drug Free Workplace Policy.

If you are required to drive for us, we require a valid driver's license and compliance with our vehicle policy.

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