Construction 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?

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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.

The Construction Communications Manager plays a critical role in developing and managing community outreach, programs, and activities in support of one of the largest transit/ transportation programs in LA County.

In the role of Construction Communications Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Support projects and programs during all project phases, including planning, project delivery, and operations
• Develops and manage public-facing content for construction projects, including speeches and talking points for public meetings or briefings. Experience should include preparing fact sheets, presentations, reports, and other communication materials. Develop, implement, and manage communication strategies and community engagement programs to inform the public, elected officials, and stakeholders of projects, programs, and initiatives. Applicants should have a proven track record of performing these duties in a professional setting, with clear responsibility for content development, coordination, and delivery.
• Serves as liaison between client executive management and local elected officials, Councils of Governments (COGs), city councils, neighborhood councils, chambers of commerce, public and private agencies, citizens, and community and advocacy groups to develop and maintain strategic relationships with various project stakeholders and opinion leaders in order to achieve resolution for transportation and public works related projects, programs, operations and initiatives
• Identify opportunities and risks for projects, programs, initiatives, and operations; and develop strategies/tactics to maximize the opportunities and minimize the risks
• Identify opportunities and develop and implement strategies to promote client's programs, services, and goodwill
• Manages train, and motivate staff engaged in outreach programs to develop consensus and strategies for successful outcomes and promote client's goals, services, programs, and policies, including participating in the development of information for public dissemination
• Evaluate and recommend the level of outreach participation at events; and organize and attend community meetings, press conferences, and special media events
• Represent the client at public venues and meetings
• Maintain communications with staff of elected officials regarding constituent interests on studies, projects and initiatives
• Research 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
• Provide or supervise responses to transportation concerns and inquiries from internal and external customers, offices of elected officials, and stakeholders
• Develop content and oversees the creation of project information, including fact sheets, newsletters, e-blasts, and presentations
• Provide recommendations to project management teams regarding community impacts during the design and construction of major transit projects
• Manage internal communication with senior staff to receive new directives for Metro projects and programs for implementation
• Serve as the coordinator of communications and strategic development for internal departments, such as community relations, media, and marketing on major capital projects
• Provide expertise for client's Board and Council, such as advising on agendas, briefings, and meetings
• Provide day-to-day management and strategic direction to assigned staff
• Act as lead strategist for use and development of visual, online and graphic communications
• Utilize social media metrics to continually enhance social networks and online communications
• Develop strategic plans to mitigate impacts related to construction
• Facilitate community advisory committees on challenging projects and achieves stakeholder consensus
• Conduct crowdsourcing efforts
• Communicate and implement 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 employees
• Contribute to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs

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Keywords: Construction Communications Manager

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; Master's Degree in Public Policy or a related field preferred
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience or 3 years of relevant supervisory-level experience planning, implementing, and managing public affairs or community relations projects for a government agency, preferably transportation and large public works or construction projects; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment
• Experience developing and managing the creation of public-facing content for assigned construction projects, speeches, and talking points for public meetings or briefings including fact sheets, presentations, reports, and other materials.
• Experience navigating dynamic political and community landscapes to build effective relationships with elected officials, civic organizations, and community groups to influence policy and achieve desired outcomes.
• Experience speaking in public, either professionally or through extracurricular activities.
• Experience implementing construction relations and mitigation programs to meet the needs of communities on assigned construction projects.
• Experience managing multiple programs and initiatives while handling competing priorities for assigned construction projects.
• Essential knowledge in:
  • Principles and practices of community relations
  • Functioning and protocol of local and state government, public agencies and community groups
  • Theories, principles and practices for the effective use of online communication and digital media to reach targeted audiences
  • Theories, principles and practices of transportation and land use planning and regulation, and/or public finance
  • Engineering and construction disciplines are essential
  • Federal, state, municipal and related legislative processes, procedures and protocols
  • Research, and analytical techniques, methods, and procedures
  • Major public works and/or transportation infrastructure projects, programs and/or operations
  • Social media strategy
  • Marketing and branding
  • Protocol of communicating with and for public agencies
  • Group dynamics and community organizing techniques
  • Consensus building and conflict resolution
  • Modern Management theories
  • Applicable business software applications

• Essential skills in:
  • Developing and implementing communication strategies for complex transportation construction projects
  • Designing, implementing, and managing public or community programs to promote Metro's services and programs through traditional and social media platforms
  • Working and communicating with non-governmental and community-based organizations; as well as diverse populations
  • Analyzing situations, identifying opportunities and problems, recommending appropriate actions and solutions, and evaluating outcomes
  • Exercising sound judgment and creativity within established guidelines
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing, including public speaking and presenting
  • Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
  • Researching and framing complex issues for communication to non-technical audiences
  • Reaching consensus through community engagement

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. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Pay Transparency Location1}: $125,000 - $169,000 Primary Location: United States-California-Los Angeles Other Locations: United States-California-Irvine Industry: Transit Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Strategic Communications Job Posting: May 29, 2026