Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Project Manager

Lead multiple client projects from scope development through completion, managing work plans, budgets, schedules, staffing, deliverables, and client expectations.

Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact, providing regular updates, responding to inquiries, identifying emerging needs, and resolving issues proactively.

Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to align project requirements, messaging, responsibilities, and timelines.

Monitor project progress and financial performance, track decisions and action items, and recommend adjustments to scope, staffing, schedules, or budgets when needed.

Prepare, review, and quality-check project documents and deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

Maintain organized project records, including work plans, meeting notes, stakeholder feedback, deliverable tracking, and client communications.

Develop and implement communications and stakeholder engagement strategies tailored to project objectives, local conditions, audiences, and potential risks.

Assess stakeholder interests, public sentiment, external concerns, and emerging issues, advising clients on engagement timing, messaging, and appropriate communication channels.

Plan and facilitate public meetings, community open houses, workshops, interviews, and other stakeholder engagement activities.

Create audience-appropriate communications materials, including engagement plans, presentations, FAQs, talking points, public notices, written updates, and meeting summaries.

Help clients and technical teams communicate complex project information clearly and accurately to diverse audiences.

Facilitate constructive discussions, capture stakeholder questions and feedback, identify common themes, and coordinate follow-up actions.

Support permitting and approval processes through public engagement, hearing preparation, presentation support, and coordination with project teams.

Apply effective written and verbal communication practices to routine project updates as well as sensitive or high-visibility issues.

Build strong client relationships through responsive service, a clear understanding of client goals, and practical project advice.

Contribute to proposals, scopes of work, project approaches, schedules, and fee estimates.

Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and develop additional service opportunities.

Participate in business development through client meetings, presentations, industry events, and relationship-building activities.

Share lessons learned, effective practices, and client feedback to continuously improve communications and stakeholder engagement services.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Political Science, Planning, Emergency Management, Business, or a related field.

At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, community relations, emergency services, project management, or a related discipline.

Experience in consulting, professional services, an agency, or another client-service environment.

Demonstrated experience personally leading client-facing communications or stakeholder engagement projects from planning through delivery.

Proven ability to manage project scope, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and client relationships.

Experience planning and facilitating meetings, workshops, public engagement events, or similar stakeholder-facing activities.

Strong presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to different audiences.

Experience engaging diverse stakeholder groups and facilitating productive conversations.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to manage project documentation, action items, and follow-up activities.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Willingness and ability to travel nationally, including occasional overnight trips.

Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently.

Experience supporting projects in energy, utilities, renewable energy, environmental services, infrastructure, land development, real estate, oil and gas, industrial sectors, or other areas involving community or permitting considerations.

Background in community consultation, public engagement, permitting support, external risk assessment, or public affairs.

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder-facing initiatives.

Master's degree in a related field.

Relevant certifications or training in project management, public participation, communications, facilitation, or emergency management.