Senior Public Information Specialist

Snc-Lavalin; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid Time Off

Flexible work options

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Richmond, VA is seeking a Senior Public Information Specialist to lead public outreach for large projects. You will advise clients, coordinate teams, and deliver high-quality communications and stakeholder engagement strategies.

The role further involves mentoring staff, managing budgets, and collaborating with government officials to plan meetings and briefings. A bachelor's degree and 11+ years' experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• 11+ years of progressive professional experience in public relations, public outreach, community engagement, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public relations, public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and media relations strategies and best practices.
• Proven ability to develop, write, and oversee the design and production of promotional, educational, and informational materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, employees, management, community members, and officials.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver persuasive presentations to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant computer software.
• Experience with graphic design, publishing, GIS applications, website management, and social media platforms and strategies.
• Knowledge of instructional methods, training techniques, and adult learning principles a plus.
• Proficiency in a foreign language, including spoken and/or written communication skills highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Manage the public outreach efforts of major projects.
• Coordinate staff and subconsultants to ensure project office operates according to the contract with client.
• Identify public outreach project goals and recommend best means to address needs.
• Manage direct relationship with the client regarding public outreach.
• Coordinate government briefings and project presentations to external groups.
• Monitor all public outreach expenses for the project.
• Organize and manage project information files and coordinate exchange of outreach information with client and team members.
• Develop and conduct online and in-person training opportunities, workshops for clients tailored to client needs and requirements.
• Produce and coordinate project publications, brochures, newsletters, web information and materials, social media; meet with the client to determine key messages and themes.
• Develop and implement individual project strategies, and/or Public Outreach Plans in coordination with the client.
• Produce and distribute daily, weekly and monthly reports on public outreach efforts.
• May supervise the work of support staff and less experienced professionals, as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Public relations

Training/mentoring

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related field

Tools

GIS applications

Social media platforms

Website management

Publishing tools

Graphic design

Job description

Job Description Overview

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior Public Information Specialist to join our Public Outreach Group in Richmond, VA. In this role, you will lead and manage public outreach initiatives for both conventional and unconventional projects, serving as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing strategic public engagement programs that foster stakeholder awareness, build community relationships, and support project objectives. The Senior Public Information Specialist will oversee outreach activities, provide guidance to public engagement teams, and ensure the delivery of high-quality communications and stakeholder engagement strategies. This position may also supervise and mentor junior staff, supporting their professional development while providing quality assurance and oversight of project deliverables. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills, as well as a proven ability to navigate complex public-facing initiatives and build positive relationships with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Your role Manages the public outreach efforts of major projects.
• Coordinates staff and subconsultants to ensure project office operates according to the contract with client.
• Identifies public outreach project goals and makes recommendations to the client of the best means to address the needs.
• Manages direct relationship with the client regarding public outreach.
• Coordinates and participates in government briefings and project presentations to external groups.
• Under the direction of the supervisor, monitors all public outreach expenses for the project.
• Organizes/manages project information files and coordinates the interchange of project outreach information with the client and among project team members.
• Develops and conducts online and in-person training opportunities, workshops for clients tailored to client needs and requirements.
• Produces and coordinates project publications, brochures, newsletters, web information and materials, social media; meets with the client to determine key messages and themes.
• Develops and implements individual project strategies, and/or, Public Outreach Plans in coordination with the client.
• Produces and distributes daily, weekly and monthly reports on public outreach efforts.
• May supervise the work of support staff and less experienced professionals, as assigned.
• Performs such other duties determined necessary by the supervisor.
• Analyzes project area demographics to determine best outreach approaches.
• Plans and executes stakeholder and public meetings, hearings, and other small group meetings.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Eleven (11) or more years of progressive professional experience in public relations, public outreach, community engagement, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public relations, public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and media relations strategies and best practices.
• Proven ability to develop, write, and oversee the design and production of promotional, educational, and informational materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, employees, management, community members, and appointed or elected officials.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver persuasive presentations to diverse audiences.
• Strong active listening skills and the ability to respond effectively and professionally to citizens, stakeholders, and customers on a wide range of issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant computer software.
• Experience with graphic design, publishing, GIS applications, website management, and social media platforms and strategies preferred.
• Knowledge of instructional methods, training techniques, and adult learning principles a plus.
• Proficiency in a foreign language, including spoken and/or written communication skills highly desired.

Rewards & Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits
• employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting
• employee stock purchase plan
• Paid Time Off
• leaves of absences options
• flexible work options
• recognition and employee satisfaction programs
• employee assistance program
• voluntary benefits

You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $120,000 - $170,000 annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

Equal Opportunity and Privacy

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability

Please review AtkinsRéalis’ Equal Opportunity Statement here.

AtkinsRéalis cares about your privacy and is committed to protecting your privacy. Please consult our Privacy Notice on our Careers site to know more about how we collect, use and transfer your Personal Data. By submitting your personal information to AtkinsRéalis, you confirm that you have read and accept our Privacy Notice.

Worker Type

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at Atkinsrealis or follow us on LinkedIn.