Strategic Communications and Outreach Specialist

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Strategic Communications and Outreach Specialist for our Communication Advisory Services team to support the planning and execution of public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication programs for utility, infrastructure, environmental, and other Communication Advisory Services clients in Michigan and Indiana
.Be involved in projects with our Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

This role may also support other WSP communications and public involvement efforts nationally as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to join our national team of talented communications and public outreach/public information professionals.

• Assist with the development and execution of client communication and public involvement plans.
• Write clear, audience-centered materials, including letters, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, website content, presentations, meeting materials, email responses, and stakeholder updates.
• Plan and coordinate public meetings, open houses, briefings, workshops, and other outreach events.
• Manage event logistics, including venues, materials, staffing, schedules, sign-in processes, comment collection, and post-event documentation.
• Execute day-to-day project activities and maintain project schedules, action lists, deliverables, and communication records.
• Manage public comments, inquiries, and stakeholder contacts according to established protocols.
• Maintain comment trackers, contact databases, response assignments, deadlines, and documentation needed for client reporting.
• Coordinate with project managers, technical teams, clients, vendors, and other communication staff.
• Support proposal development, scopes of work, schedules, staffing plans, and business development activities.
• Travel throughout Michigan and Indiana and support regional or national client assignments as needed.
• Provide on-site support for public meetings, stakeholder briefings, field outreach, and other engagement activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Urban Planning or a related field or related experience.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in strategic communications, public involvement, stakeholder engagement, community relations, marketing communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear, audience-centered language.
• Experience planning meetings, events, public outreach activities, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Excellent organizational and project coordination skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and client priorities at the same time.
• Strong attention to detail and dependable follow-through.
• Experience managing contact lists, public comments, inquiries, response workflows, or project databases.
• The ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with a distributed team.
• A willingness and ability to travel for regional and national assignments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with utility, infrastructure, environmental, government, or stakeholder/community engagement projects as a preferred qualification.

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