Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist

HNTB

Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist at HNTB managing communication strategies for diverse transportation projects. Leading community engagement efforts and ensuring alignment with project goals using effective messaging.

Posted 6/10/2026full-timeDetroit • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develops and helps implement effective dissemination of outreach materials, facts and information on project messaging and supports client activities to stakeholders according to the public outreach plan including external agencies, associations, and news organizations using print, periodicals, radio, social and/or visual communication media
Reviews and refines records and reports related to public involvement meetings, forums and public hearings as well as tracks social engagement and other digital strategies as needed
Drafts speeches, creates and designs presentation materials, prepares remarks, briefing documents and/or composes correspondence for use in mailings, meetings, workshops and other public events
Responsible for initial fact checking for reports, articles, and other publications
Develops and implements digital strategies for use on web-based communications, including but not limited to websites and social channels
Helps develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and reviews draft reports to indicate a campaign's milestones
Supports coordination efforts for public meetings and engagements to best support outreach and initiative goals
Interacts with clients to coordinate implementation of communication programs and goals
Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 6 years of relevant experience, or In lieu of education, 10 years of relevant experience
Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to lead development of clear, public‑facing messaging across deliverables
Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, public-friendly messaging for diverse audiences
Experience managing production workflows, prioritizing deliverables, and maintaining quality across fast-paced, concurrent projects
Public engagement, media relations, and community engagement expertise, including leading outreach strategy and execution
Proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft tools, with experience producing high-quality materials and reviewing work of less-experienced staff
Experience developing and guiding social media strategy and content, providing direction to junior staff
Ability to lead research efforts and synthesize findings into clear materials for internal and external use
Experience overseeing stakeholder databases and engagement tracking, including directing updates and maintaining data quality
Ability to plan and lead public meetings, workshops, and outreach efforts, including overseeing logistics, materials, and deliverables
Experience coordinating with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver engagement products aligned with project goals and schedules
Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure quality control and consistency across all materials and make informed editorial decisions.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

public engagementmedia relationscommunity engagementdigital strategiesfact checkingKPI developmentproduction workflowssocial media strategystakeholder database managementcontent development

Soft Skills

strong writing skillscommunication skillsattention to detailleadershiporganizational skillsability to synthesize findingsclient coordinationprioritizationquality controlinterpersonal skills