Community Engagement and Communications Lead

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment; we live and breathe it every day.

That’s why we pledge to support and empower all of our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to drive change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life. 

Together with your colleagues, clients, and partners, you'll make an impact that is felt by all. See where your commitment could take you. 

Who are we looking for?

GHD is seeking a Community Engagement and Communications Lead to join our Strategic Communications, Engagement and Communities (SCEC) team in any of our Florida GHD offices (Miami, Orlando, or Tampa). 

In this role, you will provide clients with community engagement and communication services on a broad range of projects across multiple markets and sectors. You will help develop public engagement and communication strategies, coordinate public engagement activities, facilitate engagement sessions, and lead development of project branding and communication collateral. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference in your community through meaningful public participation, we invite you to bring your expertise to GHD.

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect, and excel in our vibrant environment.

Working with an energetic and high-performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

• Public and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead development of Public and Stakeholder Engagement Plans and Communication Plans. Develop and deploy public engagement activities, including surveys, open houses, public information sessions, and workshops. Assist with stakeholder engagement by arranging actions, meetings, events, and supporting materials to promote stakeholder understanding and commitment.
  • Client & Customer Management (External): Manage important client relationships with guidance from senior colleagues, or oversee relationship management with a group of more transactional clients and customers.
  • Community of Practice Management: Participate in and contribute to a community of practice in a defined area of expertise or consulting to build own capability and develop innovative practice among colleagues.
  • Document Preparation and Content Creation: Write and edit creative content for various target audiences in line with organizational brand guidelines to publish on websites and in print, including newsletters, letters, display boards, presentations, fact sheets, advertisements, and media releases. Oversee creative assets across channels including presentation decks, infographics, renderings, event graphics, signage, social/digital content, website management, video/animation (where applicable), and print materials
  • Information and Business Advice: Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving complex or contentious queries and issues and enabling others to take appropriate actions.
  • Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
  • Public/Government Relations Campaign Execution: Develop and/or deliver a public relations, government relations, regulation, and registration plan for significant aspects of a product, service, or business under guidance from senior colleagues.
  • Request for Bid Solicitation/Proposal/Tender Response: Gather information and resources, draft and complete proposals, and fulfill all process requirements (in terms of deadlines, documentation, etc.) in response to complex bid solicitations, request for proposal, and request for tender to create the best chance of being awarded the contract.
  • Business Insight: Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. For example, clearly understands how own activities relate to critical business drivers. Monitors business news and market changes for impact on the business or on own expertise area; uses this to shape decisions.
  • Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, tailors communication content and style to the needs of others. Pays attention to others' input and perspectives, asks questions, and summarizes to confirm understanding.
  • Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, ensures that people's decisions comply with policies and standards. Integrates analysis, experience, and other inputs to make effective decisions. Accepts workable decisions and also seeks better alternatives.
  • Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. For example, emphasizes the importance of results; encourages a sense of urgency in others; challenges poor outcomes or unproductive behaviors. Provides assistance or encouragement to help others over obstacles.
  • Interpersonal Savvy: Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. For example, recognizes even subtle social cues and nimbly responds to others' needs and preferences. Helps to defuse difficult interpersonal situations by showing high levels of tact, sensitivity, and consideration. Builds rapport with ease.
  • Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. For example, sees even subtle cues to adapt; deploys a wide range of behaviors to stay effective. Exemplifies flexibility and resourcefulness; responds deftly to a variety of challenges and situations.
  • Health, Safety, and Environment: Monitor and review performance against health, safety, and environment (HSE) key performance indicators (KPIs) and patterns of behavior within the area of responsibility. Take action to improve performance and to resolve noncompliance with the organization's HSE policies, procedures, and mandatory instructions.

What you’ll bring to the team:

• Post-secondary education in communications, planning, social sciences or equivalent experience.
  • Over 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in community engagement or strategic communication roles, ideally within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), infrastructure or public-sector context.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish
  • Proficiency with design/production tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365, presentation software, digital/social platforms); familiarity with emerging visualization/engagement tools for public meetings a plus.
  • Experience supervising and directing people and other resources to achieve specific end results within limited timeframes (13 months to 3 years)
  • Self-starter and strong organizational skills: able to lead through ambiguity, manage budgets/timelines, coordinate across disciplines, deliver high-quality work under deadlines.
  • Excellent visual design sensibility, storytelling ability and communication skills (written, verbal, presentation).
  • Experience in community/public-engagement or stakeholder communications within AEC, infrastructure or built-environment projects is highly desirable.
  • Collaborative mindset, comfortable working with both creative teams and technical professionals (engineers, planners, architects) and translating technical content for public audiences.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with project staff and partners
  • Ability to effectively work in a fast-paced environment
  • Class E driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

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As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.