Strategic Communications Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We are looking for a Strategic Communications Manager to be a member of our Strategic Communications program, a global team of communicators who are passionate about putting people first in planning and infrastructure. As a full-service communications, engagement, and creative practice, we develop and implement ideas to bring people together in projects of every size and sector. We help people get to know each other, foster understanding, and build more connected, equitable, and sustainable communities.
As a Strategic Communications Manager, you will be responsible for the development, management, and execution of communication and engagement activities on a variety of infrastructure projects. You will work collaboratively as part of a broader Strategic Communications team and take direction from Project Managers and clients. In this role, you will be expected to drive communications and engagement strategy for projects, delegate work to staff, and manage task scopes, schedules and budgets.
Core Technical Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of project communication and engagement strategy and plans
Define messaging strategy for communication pieces including talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts
Manage formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees, or other stakeholder meetings
Oversee meeting logistics and vendor management
Direct task workback schedules and meeting plans
Oversee the production and distribution of outreach materials such as newsletters, websites, handouts, presentations, advertisements, door hangers, press releases, and mailings
Collaborate with specialists in social media, web, graphics, and video to produce outreach tools and materials
Direct the identification of stakeholders and manage the development of distribution lists
Direct the development and maintenance of project-specific comment management databases and responses to comment protocols
Oversee documentation of outreach activities, including activity tracking and reporting
Other Job Responsibilities

Develop and manage task scopes, schedules, and budgets
Direct the work of others and ensure quality of work
Independently represent HDR in client meetings to discuss project tasks
Serve as the primary client contact for Strategic Communications work
Build and maintain productive working relationships with your team, partners, and clients
Support and mentor staff
Lead the development of Strategic Communications content for pursuits and proposals
Participate in industry events and personal professional development opportunities
Perform other duties as assigned
Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree
Required Qualifications

A minimum of 7 years relevant industry experience, including management experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Self-motivated and ability to work independent with multiple teams as well as team oriented
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
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
What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location: United States-South Dakota-Rapid City

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Strategic Communications

Job Posting: Jul 30, 2026
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affiant Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

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