Senior Public Engagement Lead – Transmission

Jacobs; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Deferred compensation plan

PPTO (unlimited for many roles)

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Public Engagement & Outreach Lead to plan and deliver meaningful stakeholder engagement for electric transmission projects. The role builds relationships with landowners, officials, Tribal entities, and communities through planning, permitting, construction, and closeout stages.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work across engineering, regulatory, real estate, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, environmental studies, planning, political science, or related field (or equivalent).
• Eight or more years of progressive stakeholder engagement, public affairs, community relations, or communications experience.
• Experience with electric transmission, utilities, renewable energy, major infrastructure, or environmental permitting.
• Demonstrated success leading engagement strategies for complex, controversial, or highly regulated projects.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, issue-management, and executive communication skills.
• Experience directing consultants, leading project teams, or coaching engagement professionals.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment independently and represent the organization in sensitive public and regulatory settings.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 25% of time for site visits, community events, agency meetings, and evening/weekend public events.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for engagement on complex, high-profile, or multi-jurisdictional transmission projects.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for significant stakeholder relationships and sensitive community issues.
• Develop comprehensive engagement strategies, escalation approaches, and long-term stakeholder management plans.
• Direct outreach programs that involve multiple communities, agencies, contractors, and internal workstreams.
• Lead major public meetings and facilitate discussions involving competing interests or elevated public concern.
• Advise project leadership on stakeholder sentiment, reputational risk, permitting strategy, and community acceptance.
• Review or direct the preparation of regulatory filings, reports, testimony support materials, and executive-level briefings.
• Establish engagement standards, tools, metrics, and quality-control processes across projects.
• Mentor outreach staff, supervise consultants or employees, and help shape departmental practices.
• Act as a trusted representative of the organization in high-stakes discussions with public officials, community leaders, regulators, and other key stakeholders.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Facilitation

Executive communication

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public policy/related field

Tools

GIS-based outreach tools

Survey platforms

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Public Engagement & Outreach Lead to plan and deliver meaningful stakeholder engagement for electric transmission projects. The role builds relationships with landowners, officials, Tribal entities, and communities through planning, permitting, construction, and closeout stages.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work across engineering, regulatory, real estate, and