HDR is looking to add a talented Strategic Communications Specialist to the growing Southern California team to help develop, execute, and manage communication and outreach activities on a variety of transportation, water, and resources projects.

In the role of Communications Specialist, we'll count on you to:

• Support creating communications programs that effectively describe and promote the organization and its products.
• Prepare graphics, brochures, company or product fact sheets, logos, or other promotional products.
• Assist with client management and leads in the development and implementation of outreach, communication and public relations plans.
• Support production/planning teams, concept development, write, edit and coordinate the creation of graphic materials.
• Support the coordination and facilitation of formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, focus groups, workshops, advisory committees, and other stakeholder meetings.
• Provide stakeholder presentations (city council, community meetings, etc)
• Help coordinate project-related data gathering and political analysis and monitoring including assisting or leading the development and management of political outreach strategy.
• Monitor and track the media for project documentation.
• Assemble distribution lists for inclusion in project databases, manage external service providers including court reporters, videographers, acoustical consultants and sub-consultants, and research industry news coverage and industry trends for client projects.
• Research and develop content for the publication of products.

Other responsibilities:

• Marketing Proposal support
• Update and liaise with internal groups
• Client marketing support including specialized presentations, hand-outs, and focus on prepositioning for clients
• Assist with event planning and management, outreach strategy, and materials development for public meetings, hearings, open houses, focus groups, workshops, advisory committees and other stakeholder meetings.
• Develop and disseminate public notices and press releases; monitor /track media for project documentation; produce media wrap-up reports for project-specific coverage including television, print or radio hits.
• Responsible for the research of industry trends, stakeholders, regulatory requirements, etc, for client projects.
• Document all outreach activities including activity tracking and reporting.
• Assist with stakeholder coordination and conflict resolution (in-person visits, phone calls, email).
• Perform other duties as needed. #LI-JF1

Keywords: Strategic Communications Specialist, communications, media coordination, stakeholder presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications or a closely related field
• Bilingual
• Familiarity with the architecture and engineering consulting industry
• Project Management
• Adobe Creative Suite - Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
• Southern California-based community engagement experience
• A minimum of 5 years related experience in media coordination for advertisements, including public notices and press releases.
• Service- and client-oriented personality with the ability to handle multiple assignments at a time and set and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter; can work well independently or in a team environment.
• Experience working with remote teams/clients
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including experience writing for various media (Web, brochures, newsletters, 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 personality
• Willingness to travel (up to 20% of time)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Facilitation and stakeholder presentation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Great interpersonal and communication skills - positive outlook and attitude
• High aptitude for managing and solving tactical issues
• 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.
• Preference given to local candidates

• 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