Senior Public Engagement Strategist

Burns & McDonnell; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The candidate will develop outreach plans, manage stakeholder relationships, and guide complex meetings while coordinating with clients and project leadership. Strong writing, media relations, and driving project outcomes are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree and 8 years strategic communication experience or Master degree and 7 years
• Experience communicating technical, political, and public policy issues to the public via multiple channels
• Experience developing proposals, collateral, reports, and high-level messaging and presentations
• Strong media-relations skills and experience working with media outlets to deliver key messages
• Proven ability to lead conceptual design and strategy for communications plans and public outreach campaigns
• Experience managing social media strategy preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Valid driver’s license required

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement strategies for moderately complex to large projects with clear goals and outreach tactics
• Manage programmatic and project-level public involvement to ensure standards and commitments are met
• Oversee stakeholder relationships with public officials, agencies, property owners, business owners, and community groups
• Address escalated stakeholder concerns with strategic guidance and sensitivity
• Develop and manage strategic outreach plans including meetings, surveys, newsletters, mailers, web content, and social media
• Create workshop agendas, content, and facilitate complex or contentious meetings
• Direct graphic teams for infographics, presentations, and webinars
• Oversee client interviews, engagement scoping, and cost estimating
• Maintain compliance with public involvement standards across projects
• Mentor less experienced staff and guide division staff
• Lead business planning and budgeting for the division
• Track performance against financial, utilization, and profitability targets
• Participate in government briefings and executive discussions
• Produce weekly and monthly reporting on activities and outcomes
• Follow safety policies and procedures

Skills

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Mentoring staff

Public outreach

Education

Bachelor Degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism/Marketing/Environmental Sciences/Urban Planning

Master Degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The candidate will develop outreach plans, manage stakeholder relationships, and guide complex meetings while coordinating with clients and project leadership. Strong writing, media relations, and driving project outcomes are essential.