Colorado Strategic Communication Leader

HDR; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Colorado-based Area Lead to steer HDR's Strategic Communications and Creative Services in the region. You will oversee delivery, client service, and business development while guiding a multidisciplinary team of communications, engagement, and creative professionals.

In this senior role, you will maintain strong technical credibility, mentor staff, and collaborate with business group managers to expand HDR's presence across Colorado and align projects with strategic community

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience.
• Professional registration or license may be required.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• Commitment to employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Strategic Communications staff.
• Manage business development and client service activities.
• Coordinate staffing, onboarding and performance management.
• Foster collaboration and inclusivity across the Colorado office.
• Maintain high utilization and project delivery quality.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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 foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

The Colorado Strategic Communications Area Lead is responsible for leading HDR's Strategic Communications and Creative Services team in Colorado. This role combines project delivery, client service, business development support, team leadership, and strategic communications expertise to help clients navigate complex infrastructure projects and achieve successful stakeholder and community outcomes.

The Area Lead provides direct supervision, mentoring, performance management, and professional development for a multidisciplinary team of communications, engagement, and creative professionals while maintaining an active role in project delivery and client service. The position also supports the growth and visibility of Strategic Communications services by building relationships across HDR business groups, supporting pursuits, and identifying opportunities to integrate communications and engagement solutions into projects.

Maintaining approximately 75% utilization through project delivery, consulting, project management, and client-facing activities is essential to maintaining technical credibility and supporting the team's success. A strong presence within Colorado offices is important for fostering collaboration, mentoring staff, and increasing awareness of Strategic Communications capabilities across HDR.

Working closely with Business Group Managers, Project Managers, and National Strategic Communications leadership, the Area Lead helps position HDR as a market leader in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, public involvement, facilitation, and creative communications while advancing the practice to meet future client and industry needs.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Client Service

• Support the growth of Strategic Communications services across Colorado by identifying opportunities, supporting pursuits, and building client relationships.
• Promote HDR's communications, engagement, and creative capabilities both internally and externally.
• Serve as a communications strategist, project manager, or technical lead on key projects while maintaining strong technical expertise and client service.
• Directly manage, mentor, and develop Strategic Communications and Creative Services staff.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, retention, performance management, and succession planning efforts.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team culture while coordinating staffing and workload management.
• Support continuous improvement, technical excellence, and professional development across the team.
• Build strong partnerships with Business Group Managers, Project Managers, and leadership to integrate Strategic Communications services into projects and pursuits.
• Maintain a visible presence within Colorado offices to support collaboration, mentorship, relationship building, and business development.
• Promote awareness and value of Strategic Communications services throughout HDR and support knowledge sharing across business groups and regions.
• Coordinate with national and regional Strategic Communications leaders to align best practices, growth opportunities and workshare across the company.

Success Measures

• Growth in Strategic Communications revenue, backlog, and booked work.
• Successful project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Employee engagement, retention, and professional development.
• Increased visibility, utilization, and integration of Strategic Communications services across HDR.

#LI-MV3

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational 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.

Industry

Strategic Communications

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Strategic Communications

Job Posting

Oct 7, 2026

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

We are an Aff

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.