Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist

At HNTB, you can invest in a career that is meaningful and rewarding to you while making a difference for Michigan communities that matter to all of us. As part of a nationwide firm, HNTB Michigan has been a part of delivering solutions for some of the largest and most innovative infrastructure projects across the state. With our historic growth and several office locations across the state, it is an exciting time to join our team of passionate professionals and employee owners working to build a better tomorrow.

HNTB is seeking a Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist to support a diverse portfolio of impactful transportation projects across Michigan, with opportunities to lead engagement efforts on high‑profile and complex initiatives. The position will focus on developing and implementing strategic communications and engagement plans for public agency transportation clients. This role leads the development of communication strategies, materials, and digital and print content that support project goals and inform the community and key project stakeholders.

The Senior Public Engagement and Communications Specialist will lead stakeholder and community engagement efforts, support the planning and facilitation of public meetings and workshops, and coordinate closely with clients and multidisciplinary project teams, including planning, environmental, and engineering staff, to ensure alignment with project goals, schedules, and technical work. This role also ensures public input is effectively captured, documented, and integrated into project communications and deliverables.

Responsibilities also include task management, research, data gathering, and developing clear, public‑facing messaging and communication resources to support project delivery.

What You’ll Do:

Develop and implement effective dissemination of outreach materials, facts and information on project messaging and support 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.

Review and refine records and reports related to public involvement meetings, forums and public hearings as well as track social engagement and other digital strategies as needed.

Draft speeches, create and design presentation materials, prepare remarks, briefing documents and/or compose correspondence for use in mailings, meetings, workshops and other public events.

Responsible for initial fact checking for reports, articles, and other publications.

Develop and implement digital strategies for use on web‑based communications, including but not limited to websites and social channels.

Help develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and review draft reports to indicate a campaign's milestones.

Support coordination efforts for public meetings and engagements to best support outreach and initiative goals.

Interact with clients to coordinate implementation of communication programs and goals.

Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 6 years of relevant experience.

In lieu of education, 10 years of relevant experience.

What You’ll Bring:

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.

What We Prefer:

Experience leading or supporting public engagement for large infrastructure or transportation projects.

Experience working with public sector clients.

Benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Locations: Detroit, MI; East Lansing, MI (Lansing); Grand Rapids, MI.

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Public Engagement and Communications Group

ReqID: R-30471

Equal Employment Opportunity & Disability Accessibility Statement
HNTB provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or other status protected by law. The HNTB Companies ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Any applicant with limited English proficiency or a qualifying physical or mental disability who believes they require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact us at ReasonableAccommodations@HNTB.com or call 816-527-2600 for assistance. HNTB will make determinations on requests for accommodations on a case‑by‑case basis.

Hearing and speech impaired individuals who seek assistance or accommodation in applying for a position via TTY, may dial 711 in the United States. Instruct the TTY operator to call 888-400-4682 and select option 5 for TTY service. Please indicate to the HNTB agent that you are a candidate seeking assistance in the job application process.

#J-18808-Ljbffr