Senior Communications and Public Involvement Manager

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Communications and Public Involvement Manager for our Atlanta, GA 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.

This position will be responsible for leading strategic communications and public engagement initiatives, managing client relationships and project teams, and driving business development. 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

Client Leadership & Project Delivery

• Serve as a senior communications and outreach consultant on transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Georgia and the Southeast
• Lead, oversee, and implement effective communications and public outreach strategies for transportation and infrastructure projects
• Take initiative and ownership of public involvement tasks to develop effective strategies that solicit feedback and input from the public
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, project stakeholders, elected officials, community organizations and agency partners
• Provide strategic advice to clients on community relations, risk mitigation, crisis communications, and stakeholder management
• Develop and implement strategic messages that educate the community on the purpose, need, benefits and perceived impacts of projects and programs
• Lead, coordinate and facilitate public outreach efforts, including in-person public meetings, virtual public meetings, workshops, pop-up events, open houses and stakeholder briefings
• Anticipate, identify, and help mitigate community concerns, project risks, and stakeholder issues Manage content development for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications
• Monitor and evaluate outreach effectiveness using performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns, including website and social media content
• Direct the development of project communications materials, including messaging, websites, presentations, reports, fact sheets, social media, graphics, video, talking points and media materials.
• Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to project schedule
• Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audience

Team Leadership

• Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients and lead business development activities
• Provide quality assurance for project deliverables
• Lead, mentor, and develop communications and public involvement staff
• Manage project teams comprised of communications professionals, technical specialists, graphic designers, and subconsultants
• 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, Planning or a related field
• 10+ years of communications and public involvement experience
• Demonstrated success leading communications and public involvement programs for major transportation and infrastructure projects in Georgia
• Proven ability managing client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to public-sector agencies
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and overseeing project delivery
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Previous experience with local elected official, stakeholder, and media communications
• Proven ability to develop, edit, and oversee a wide range of communications materials, including fact sheets, websites, social media content, presentations, public meeting materials, and/or media releases
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into clear, compelling and accessible messaging for diverse audiences
• Strong organizational, strategic thinking, and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities 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 well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including senior management
• Ability to attend public meetings, community events, and project activities beyond standard business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of and project experience working with public agencies in Georgia
• Established relationships with local public agency staff
• 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.
• Must successfully complete and pass WSP’s Motor Vehicle screening.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise with communications and public involvement best practices
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff
• Experience managing contracts, budgets, scopes, and financial performance
• Experience leading proposal development efforts and presenting at client interviews
• Local candidates preferred

#LI-SY1