Strategic Communications Project Manager

HDR, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Strategic Communications Project Manager to guide communications and engagement for diverse infrastructure projects in the Dallas area. You will collaborate with HDR teams and clients to shape messaging and outreach across multiple channels.

You will manage public meetings, maintain schedules and budgets, and mentor staff while traveling up to 30% to project sites and client locations. HDR values an inclusive, employee-owned culture focused on impact and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience required.
• Master's degree preferred for strategic communications roles.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or community engagement.
• Experience in infrastructure sectors (transportation, water, power) is highly valued.
• Proven ability to lead successful communications and engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Direct development and execution of communication and engagement activities on infrastructure projects.
• Lead strategy for messaging, media relations, social media, and project materials.
• Manage public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Oversee logistics, vendor management, and distribution of outreach materials.
• Supervise staff, manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree

Tools

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.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

We create connections between people and the projects and services that move communities forward.

We are looking for a Strategic Communications Project Manager to be a member of our Strategic Communications program, a global team of communicators who are passionate about putting people first in planning and infrastructure. As a full-service communications, engagement, and creative practice, we develop and implement ideas to bring people together in projects of every size and sector. We help people get to know each other, foster understanding, and build more connected, equitable, and sustainable communities.

As a Strategic Communications Project Manager, you will direct the development, management, and execution of communication and engagement activities on a variety of infrastructure projects. You will work collaboratively as part of a broader Strategic Communications team and take direction from HDR leadership and clients. In this role, you will be expected to drive communications and engagement strategy for projects, delegate work to staff, and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets in accordance with HDR's project management protocols.

Core Technical Responsibilities

• Direct project communication and engagement strategy and plans
• Define messaging strategy for communication pieces including talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts
• Manage formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees, or other stakeholder meetings
• Oversee meeting logistics and vendor management
• Direct task workback schedules and meeting plans
• Oversee the production and distribution of outreach materials such as newsletters, websites, handouts, presentations, advertisements, door hangers, press releases, and mailings
• Collaborate with specialists in social media, web, graphics, and video to produce outreach tools and materials
• Direct the identification of stakeholders and manage the development of distribution lists
• Direct the development and maintenance of project-specific comment management databases and responses to comment protocols
• Oversee documentation of outreach activities, including activity tracking and reporting

Other Job Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets
• Direct the work of others and ensure quality of work
• Independently represent HDR in client meetings
• Serve as the primary client contact for Strategic Communications projects
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with your team, partners, and clients
• Support and mentor staff
• Lead Strategic Communications pursuits and proposals
• Participate in industry events and personal professional development opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• 10 years professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, community engagement, or closely related field
• Professional experience in the infrastructure industry, specifically transportation, water, and power infrastructure
• Track record of leading successful communications and engagement strategies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including experience writing for various media (web, brochure, newsletter, social media, etc.)
• Great attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, prioritize among tasks, and set and meet deadlines
• Service- and client-oriented attitude
• Willingness to travel (up to 30% of time)
• Ability to drive or independently get oneself to project locations
• Self-starter who can work well independently or in a team environment with shared work assignments
• Desire to learn and grow professionally
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box
• Experience working with remote teams/clients
• General professionalism and ability to represent HDR in front of clients
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• A commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience
• 7 years related experience
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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.

• Primary Location: United States-Texas-Dallas
• Industry: Highway + Road
• Schedule: Full-time
• Employee Status: Regular
• BusinessClass: Strategic Communications
• Job Posting: Sep 10, 2026