Principal Consultant, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

ERM is seeking an experienced communications professional to join a group of dynamic and energetic strategic communications and stakeholder engagement professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality services to clients throughout the environmental consulting industry and in a variety of sectors and geographies. We are looking for individuals based in one of our Midwest offices (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Minneapolis), who will be responsible for leading projects with clients, while contributing to new business development and driving internal marketing initiatives.

• Work with internal teams to develop cross-functional strategies to support client projects and initiatives.
• Support internal and external marketing efforts to drive work that helps clients achieve and maintain their social license to operate.
• Lead day-to-day project management, including client relations, staffing and budget ownership, and client deliverables.
• Serve as strategic advisor to clients, while leading team members in the planning and implementation of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement programs, including broad scale public consultation programs, which may vary from on-the-ground or virtual outreach with landowners, media, and non-government organizations to identification and activation of supporters.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and opportunities to drive digital innovation, via the use of existing and prospective ERM tools, technologies and partnerships.
• Drive strategy and oversee analysts in the delivery of social risk and community assessment monitoring and reporting, as it relates to capital project planning, M&A due diligence, and operational permitting.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder demographics and accessibility issues in each project area and build equitable communications delivery plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver Environmental Social Governance (ESG) communications, in support of the “S” (or Social) in ESG.
• Manage others, as well as write and edit project plans and informational materials e.g., fact sheets, website copy, newsletters, brochures, display copy, letters, etc.
• Monitor and analyze stakeholder communications and issues, including developing reports, summarizing key findings and analyzing trends as they relate to the client.
• Plan and facilitate efforts to inform client project planning and build collaboration with stakeholders, such as focus groups and community advisory groups.
• Lead project meeting planning and implementation, including facilitation and/or moderation of in-person and virtual client, new business, and public-facing events.
• Manage business development plans to obtain new clients, relationship development through seminars and conventions, industry outreach in support of client projects and business development efforts, and development of new business proposals and contracts.
• Manage and coordinate sub-contractor activity.
• Experience with crisis management is desirable.

• BA/BS in communications, public affairs, public relations, community relations or journalism field of study preferred.
• 6 years (10 years preferred) of relevant work experience – preferably in a public affairs capacity, consulting firm or similar; energy industry experience preferred.
• Comfort level in facilitating in-person and virtual meetings and presenting information to varied audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Experience with planning and implementing public consultation programs and writing and producing informational materials.
• Ability to present information to clients, stakeholders and colleagues in a concise and persuasive manner.
• Strong ability to organize, prioritize and complete deadline-driven tasks as well as flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willing to work full time in a hybrid office/at home setting.
• Travel required (approximately 4‑6 weeks per year on average with some evening/overnight travel).

For the Principal Consultant, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder…