Strategic Communications Specialist

HDR; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Strategic Communications Specialist to join our water sector communications team in New York. You will support communication and engagement on infrastructure projects, working with a broader Strategic Communications group and reporting to Communications and Project Managers.

You will stay current with water sector best practices, build HDR’s market reputation, and collaborate with specialists across media, web, graphics, and video to deliver outreach tools and materials.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
• Experience in a communications field: social media, event planning, community engagement, target marketing, descriptive writing, public involvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with multiple teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work with senior leaders and manage cross-functional efforts.
• HDR values and quality commitment.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite – InDesign.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of communication and engagement plans.
• Write copy for talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings and logistics.
• Develop task workback schedules and meeting plans.
• Coordinate the production and distribution of outreach materials.
• Collaborate with social media, web, graphics, and video teams.
• Coordinate with project managers on communications approaches.
• Identify stakeholders and manage distribution lists.
• Document outreach activities and report progress.
• Attend client meetings and build team relationships.

Skills

Public involvement

Social media

Event planning

Community engagement

Target marketing

Descriptive writing

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Adobe InDesign

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

We are looking for a Strategic Communications Specialist with water sector communications experience 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 Specialist, you will contribute to tasks within your area of specialty in support of communications and engagement activities on infrastructure projects. You will work collaboratively as part of a broader Strategic Communications team and take direction from Communications Managers, Project Managers, and clients. In this role, you will be expected to stay up to date in water sector communications best practices and industry trends, apply your expertise to planning and infrastructure projects, and help build HDR’s reputation in the market.

Core Technical Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of communication and engagement plans, including target audience strategy
• Write copy for communication pieces including talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts
• Coordinate formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees, or other stakeholder meetings
• Organize meeting logistics and vendor management
• Develop and implement task workback schedules and meeting plans
• Coordinate 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
• Coordinate with technical project and program managers on communications approaches
• Identify stakeholders and manage the development of distribution lists
• Develop and maintain project-specific comment management databases and coordinate responses to comments according to protocols
• Document outreach activities, including activity tracking and reporting

Other Job Responsibilities

• Participate in client meetings to discuss project tasks
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with your team and internal partners
• Participate in industry events and personal professional development opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Professional experience in the infrastructure industry - specifically drinking water, wastewater, and/or water resources
• Willingness to travel (up to 10% of the time)
• Ability to drive or independently get oneself to project locations
• Experience working with remote teams/clients
• Experience supporting Lead and Copper Rule communications, including Lead Service Line Replacement programs
• Local candidates preferred

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience
• Experience in a communications field of expertise: social media, event planning, community engagement, target marketing, descriptive writing, public involvement, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated and ability to work independent with multiple teams as well as team oriented
• Great interpersonal and communication skills - positive outlook and attitude
• High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Comfortable and competent while working with senior leaders and managing cross-functional efforts
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Committed to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

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.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) New York: $69,825 - $99,750 Primary Location:United States-New York-New York Industry:Water Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Strategic Communications Job Posting:Nov 2, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.