Strategic Communications and Outreach Specialist

WSP in the U.S.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a Strategic Communications and Outreach Specialist to support public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication programs for utility, infrastructure, and environmental clients in Michigan and Indiana. You will write materials, plan meetings, manage events, coordinate with teams, and travel as needed to deliver projects on time.

A Bachelor's degree and 3–5 years in related field are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, urban planning or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in strategic communications, public involvement, stakeholder engagement, or related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills with ability to translate technical information into clear language.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and execution of client communication and public involvement plans.
• Write audience-centered materials including letters, fact sheets, FAQs, website content, presentations, meeting materials, emails, and stakeholder updates.
• Plan and coordinate public meetings, open houses, briefings, workshops, and other outreach events.
• Manage event logistics including venues, staffing, schedules, sign-in, comment collection, and post-event documentation.
• Execute day-to-day project activities and maintain schedules, action lists, deliverables, and records.
• Manage public comments, inquiries, and stakeholder contacts according to protocols.
• Maintain comment trackers, contact databases, response workflows, and documentation for client reporting.
• Coordinate with project managers, technical teams, clients, vendors, and other staff.
• Support proposal development, scopes of work, schedules, staffing plans, and business development activities.
• Travel throughout Michigan and Indiana and support regional or national assignments.
• Provide on-site support for public meetings, stakeholder briefings, field outreach, and engagement activities.

Skills

Strong writing and editing

Meeting planning

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Ability to travel

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Urban Planning or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Strategic Communications and Outreach Specialist for our Communication Advisory Services team to support the planning and execution of public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication programs for utility, infrastructure, environmental, and other Communication Advisory Services clients in Michigan and Indiana. Be involved in projects with our Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

This role may also 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

• Assist with the development and execution of client communication and public involvement plans.
• Write clear, audience-centered materials, including letters, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, website content, presentations, meeting materials, email responses, and stakeholder updates.
• Plan and coordinate public meetings, open houses, briefings, workshops, and other outreach events.
• Manage event logistics, including venues, materials, staffing, schedules, sign-in processes, comment collection, and post-event documentation.
• Execute day-to-day project activities and maintain project schedules, action lists, deliverables, and communication records.
• Manage public comments, inquiries, and stakeholder contacts according to established protocols.
• Maintain comment trackers, contact databases, response assignments, deadlines, and documentation needed for client reporting.
• Coordinate with project managers, technical teams, clients, vendors, and other communication staff.
• Support proposal development, scopes of work, schedules, staffing plans, and business development activities.
• Travel throughout Michigan and Indiana and support regional or national client assignments as needed.
• Provide on-site support for public meetings, stakeholder briefings, field outreach, and other engagement activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Urban Planning or a related field or related experience.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in strategic communications, public involvement, stakeholder engagement, community relations, marketing communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear, audience-centered language.
• Experience planning meetings, events, public outreach activities, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Excellent organizational and project coordination skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and client priorities at the same time.
• Strong attention to detail and dependable follow-through.
• Experience managing contact lists, public comments, inquiries, response workflows, or project databases.
• The ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with a distributed team.
• A willingness and ability to travel for regional and national assignments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with utility, infrastructure, environmental, government, or stakeholder/community engagement projects as a preferred qualification.

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.