Senior Communications and Public Involvement Manager

WSP USA; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Senior Communications and Public Involvement Manager for our Atlanta, GA office. You will lead strategic communications and public engagement for transportation and infrastructure projects, manage client relationships, and guide project teams to successful outcomes.

You will drive business development, develop messaging, and coordinate public meetings, workshops and events. This role requires creating clear, accessible content for diverse audiences and mentoring staff across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, planning or a related field.
• 10+ years of communications and public involvement experience.
• Proven success leading communications and public involvement programs for major transportation and infrastructure projects in Georgia.
• Proven ability managing client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to public-sector agencies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and overseeing project delivery.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with high attention to detail.
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of and project experience working with public agencies in Georgia.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior consultant on transportation and infrastructure projects across Georgia and the Southeast.
• Lead and implement effective communications and public outreach strategies.
• Develop outreach content and coordinate public meetings and events.
• Manage client relationships and serve as primary client contact.
• Provide strategic advice on community relations, risk mitigation, and stakeholder management.
• Coordinate public outreach deliverables with project schedules and teams.

Skills

Public involvement

Client relations

Team leadership

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Public speaking

Public policy

Proposal development

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Teams

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Communications and Public Involvement Manager for our Atlanta, GA office. Be involved in projects with our Communications Advisory Services Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

This position will be responsible for leading strategic communications and public engagement initiatives, managing client relationships and project teams, and driving business development. The position may support other WSP communications and public involvement efforts nationally as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to join our national team of talented communications and public outreach/public information professionals.

Your Impact

Client Leadership & Project Delivery

• Serve as a senior communications and outreach consultant on transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Georgia and the Southeast

• Lead, oversee, and implement effective communications and public outreach strategies for transportation and infrastructure projects

• Take initiative and ownership of public involvement tasks to develop effective strategies that solicit feedback and input from the public

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, project stakeholders, elected officials, community organizations and agency partners

• Provide strategic advice to clients on community relations, risk mitigation, crisis communications, and stakeholder management

• Develop and implement strategic messages that educate the community on the purpose, need, benefits and perceived impacts of projects and programs

• Lead, coordinate and facilitate public outreach efforts, including in-person public meetings, virtual public meetings, workshops, pop-up events, open houses and stakeholder briefings

• Anticipate, identify, and help mitigate community concerns, project risks, and stakeholder issues Manage content development for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications

• Monitor and evaluate outreach effectiveness using performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns, including website and social media content

• Direct the development of project communications materials, including messaging, websites, presentations, reports, fact sheets, social media, graphics, video, talking points and media materials.

• Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to project schedule

• Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audience

Team Leadership

• Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients and lead business development activities

• Provide quality assurance for project deliverables

• Lead, mentor, and develop communications and public involvement staff

• Manage project teams comprised of communications professionals, technical specialists, graphic designers, and subconsultants

• Perform other duties as assigned or required by WSP USA Inc. and our clients

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Planning or a related field

• 10+ years of communications and public involvement experience

• Demonstrated success leading communications and public involvement programs for major transportation and infrastructure projects in Georgia

• Proven ability managing client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to public-sector agencies

• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and overseeing project delivery

• Superior organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail

• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Previous experience with local elected official, stakeholder, and media communications

• Proven ability to develop, edit, and oversee a wide range of communications materials, including fact sheets, websites, social media content, presentations, public meeting materials, and/or media releases

• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into clear, compelling and accessible messaging for diverse audiences

• Strong organizational, strategic thinking,and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple prioritiesin a fast-paced environment

• Ability to help de-escalate and mitigate community concerns

• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including senior management

• Ability to attend public meetings, community events, and project activities beyond standard business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends

• Knowledge of and project experience working with public agencies in Georgia

• Established relationships with local public agency staff

• Candidate must be able to immediately work in the United States on a full time permanent basis.

• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

• Must successfully complete and pass WSP’s Motor Vehicle screening.

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise with communications and public involvement best practices

• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff

• Experience managing contracts, budgets, scopes, and financial performance

• Experience leading proposal development efforts and presenting at client interviews

• Local candidates preferred

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About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.