Senior Communications Manager

HDR, Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Irvine is seeking a Senior Communications Manager to lead strategic communications for transportation initiatives and HDR’s culture. You will develop executive presentations, plan internal and external communications, and work closely with senior leaders.

The role requires strong leadership, collaboration across departments, and a focus on HDR’s employee-owned culture and brand presence in the market.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in industry with management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently with multiple teams and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans that support business group objectives.
• Lead internal and external communications to promote HDR and its market position.
• Coordinate event planning and speaker preparation for leadership communications.
• Collaborate across Accounting, HR, Marketing, IT, Compliance, Legal, Corporate and more.
• Supervise communications staff and manage emerging opportunities and trends.

Skills

Executive communications

Stakeholder management

Leadership support

Strategic planning

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office

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?

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

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.

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

Internal HDR Involvement

1. Develop and execute strategic communications plans that support business group objectives.
   • Including internal communication that facilitates and promotes the HDR culture, a collaborative team atmosphere and well informed group.
   • Including external communication that promotes HDR and advances our Market position for winning work and recruiting new employees. This will include creating LinkedIn Posts for leadership to post, planning external events, and increase brand visibility.
2. Bring genuine, creative ideas to the table. Be a problem solver relieving pressure off the Transpo Leadership team.
3. Work with Leadership to facilitate quarterly Town Hall meetings, including working with the speaker to produce the presentation.
4. Be the voice of the quiet staff that are excelling at delivering work and bringing value every day. Promote their accomplishments with leadership.
5. Partner with BC and CS Leaders to celebrate major project delivery.
6. Supervise communication assistant to help with responsibilities.
7. Identify emerging communication opportunities, industry trends, and best practices while maintaining tools, resources, and processes that improve organizational effectiveness.
8. To monitor communication within Transpo Leadership, Area Leadership, Corporate Leadership and the Socal Transpo team as we continue to grow. Suggest communication changes to adapt to the needs for group success.
9. Bring creative thinking, sound judgment, and proactive problem-solving to complex organizational and communications challenges.
10. Be trustworthy with sensitive information only intended for Transpo leadership.
11. Perform other duties as necessary.
12. Collaborate across all groups including Accounting, HR, Marketing, IT, Compliance, Legal, Corporate and more.
13. Coordinate event planning and execution, including venue and vendor selection.

External Involvement

1. SBE Management (External) :Support small business outreach, inclusion initiatives, and strategic partnership activities related to transportation pursuits and major projects, collaborating with project teams, clients, and external partners as appropriate.
   • Tracking Federal Law changes
   • Ensure HDR Projects meet small business goals.
   • Help Pursuit and Project Teams to identify new small businesses to help deliver projects.
   • Lead Small Business Mentor/Protege Program.
   • Present to different clients to show how we collaborate with small businesses to deliver their work.
2. Participate and encourage participation in key industry organizations. Be a Board Member or Officer within a key organization that has major client engagement.
   • Lead the strategy and approvals for sponsorships of events to guide budgeting for each year.
   • Streamlining sponsorship Review and Approval Process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting executive leaders and business group leadership teams.
• Experience planning and facilitating leadership meetings, workshops, and strategic initiatives.
• Experience serving as a Small Business Liaison Officer or coordinating small business outreach and inclusion programs.
• Experience in the transportation, infrastructure, engineering, architecture, or professional services industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior leadership and clients.
• Experience developing executive presentations, briefing materials, and strategic communications.
• Knowledge of transportation market sectors and public-sector client environments.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience, including management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated and ability to work independent with multiple teams as well as team oriented
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
• Great interpersonal and communication skills - positive outlook and attitude
• High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Comfortable and competent while working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Committed to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

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.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) $120,000 - $173,000

Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Marketing and Admin

Job Posting: Oct 7, 2026