Communications and Public Involvement Manager

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Communications and Public Involvement Manager for our Austin office.  Be involved in projects with our Communications Advisory Services Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

The position will manage communications and construction relations efforts for major infrastructure projects in the region. The position may 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

• Serve as a key communications and community outreach consultant on transportation infrastructure projects
• Implement effective public outreach strategies for infrastructure projects and programs during preconstruction, construction and operations.
• Develop strategic communication plans to mitigate construction impacts
• Develops, implements, and manages communication strategies and community engagement programs to inform the public, elected officials, and stakeholders related to construction activities
• Serve as liaison between projects and the community
• Identifies opportunities and risks for projects, programs, initiatives, and operations; and develops communications/community engagement strategies/tactics to maximize the opportunities and minimize risks.
• Develops construction relations goals, objectives, workplans, communications plans and budget.
• Evaluates and recommends the level of outreach participation at community events; and organizes and attends in-person community meetings, special media events, tabling events, open houses and construction sites
• Researches the more complex and sensitive incidents, complaints, and concerns, and works with staff and management at all levels of the organization, as well as stakeholders, to achieve solutions
• Provides recommendations to project management team regarding construction community impacts and mitigation programs 
• Coordinate, facilitate and participate in virtual in-person public meetings and community events as assigned
• Manage development of strategic social media outreach plans including the research, writing and vetting of various posts (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Acts as lead strategist and manages content development for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications  
• Develop performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns, including website and social media content
• Direct the work of support services such as graphic design, website development, video, and photography
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency’s safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employe
• Coordinate closely with project teams and clients on communications and community outreach that aligns with client priorities and program messaging
• Participate in external project, agency, and community meetings to provide communications updates and help identify public involvement issues
• Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to project schedule
• Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients 
• Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audiences
• Perform other duties as assigned or required by WSP USA Inc. and our clients 
• Talent is the essence of meeting our client’s objectives, goals and challenges.  If this sounds like a fit for you, we’d love to have that first discussion of you joining our team.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Journalism or a related field
• 7-10 years of communications and public involvement experience and/or 3 years of years of relevant supervisory-level experience planning, implementing, and managing public affairs or community relations projects for a government agency 
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail
• Proven experience writing and editing content for fact sheets, websites, social media, and/or media releases
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into easy-to-understand content for public consumption
• Previous experience working on infrastructure projects with a cross-discipline team
• Deadline driven with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to help de-escalate and mitigate community concerns  
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work effectively with teams and demonstrate initiative to lead tasks  
• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including senior management
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours on some nights and weekends
• A valid Texas Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Candidate must be able to immediately work in the United States on a full-time permanent basis.  
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise with public involvement best practices
• Communications and public involvement experience with transportation and other infrastructure projects, preferably large public works or construction projects.
• Knowledge of and project experience working with local public agencies  
• Established relationships with local public agency staff  
• Previous experience with team management
• Previous experience with elected official, stakeholder, and media communications
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Local candidates preferred

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