Communications Manager - Transportation & Infrastructure

Salary: $75,000-$80,000.00/annually

Chicagoland or Illinois applicants only, please.

This position works remotely today and will be transitioning to a hybrid-work schedule requiring 2-3 days per week in office, beginning in 2024.

This role supports our clients within the Transportation, Infrastructure & Mobility industries.

We offer competitive health benefits, summer hours, professional development opportunities & additional perks throughout the year.

Background:

An award-winning woman-owned public relations firm with a specialty focus in transforming outcomes in the areas of Transportation, Infrastructure & Mobility (TIM), Health & Wellness, Energy & Utilities and Public Affairs. We are looking to fill this newly created position to support our project teams for our clients in our TIM practice.

The Communications Manager is a critical thinker with excellent communication and client relations skills. This role develops strategies for public education and outreach campaigns intended to reach diverse audiences, using a combination of traditional and emerging resources.

The Communications Manager works collaboratively with the project and design teams to develop and carry out strategies that shape highly technical information into digestible messaging for the public. They will implement social and digital education strategies, aligning community partnerships and identifying external forums to convey client stories and promote thought leadership. In addition, the Communications Manager may lead rapid response team and protocol to respond quickly to any media or social media issues.

This person is a thinker and doer who can not only provide counsel to our clients but roll up their sleeves and do the work. This person must be able to identify key stakeholders including diverse audiences, community leaders, elected leaders and opinion leaders to ensure the right message is being developed and delivered in an effective way.

Proven experience building coalitions, engaging stakeholders and managing communications needs is critical to this position’s success. Experience with transportation policy is preferred but not required.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage the full lifecycle of communications projects for clients, including project start up, resourcing, budget compliance and successful execution of deliverables
• Create versatile and strategic messages to satisfy client objectives
• Create and implement social and digital education strategies, aligning community partnerships and identifying external forums to convey client stories and support thought leadership strategies
• Identify key stakeholders including diverse audiences, community leaders, elected leaders and opinion leaders to ensure the right message is being developed and delivered in an effective way
• Work collaboratively with project and design team to shape highly technical information into digestible messaging for targeted public consumption
• Lead communication between internal staff, external partners and clients regarding project updates and initiatives
• Manage and delegate work to junior level staff to ensure deadlines are met while delivering the highest level of work product
• Foster positive client relationships and uphold the firm’s standards
• Manage preparations for and attend in-person client events as needed

Job Requirements:

• 4+ years professional experience in the areas of communications, public involvement and transportation. If no transportation experience must have significant experience with stakeholder outreach and engagement
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Strong communications skills and the ability to meet client expectations on tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to track multiple tasks for multiple projects, keeping projects on time and within budget
• Team player with a passion for collaboration and commitment to client satisfaction
• Demonstrated written, verbal and digital communication skills
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems and find the best way to convey a message
• Creativity to produce exciting and interesting content
• In-depth experience engaging stakeholders, building coalitions and managing communications needs
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to attend and manage in-person client events and functions as needed
• Must have the ability to work a hybrid-schedule, requiring 2 days per week in office beginning in 2024

Commitment to our Core Values

Our core values represent the beliefs, philosophies and principles that define who we are and how we do business. We are looking for a candidate who demonstrates commitment and character to upholding the Core Values in all they do.

• Accountability: Own it and honor our commitment to others.
• Diversity: Embrace diverse perspectives and foster a culture of inclusion.
• Excellence: Think big. Be bold and make every action count.
• Integrity: Be honest, respectful, and trustworthy. Always do the right thing.
• Collaboration: Stronger together. Elevate each other’s unique abilities to build on our collective strength.

About Us:

Founded in 2006, a leading strategic communications agency working at the intersection of business, media, policy and people. Driven by the desire to empower our clients by elevating their voices during times of change, crisis and opportunity, offers an integrated suite of solutions. Core capabilities include strategic message development, stakeholder engagement, branding and creative strategy, digital & social communications, diversity & inclusion, policy strategy and media relations. A certified WBE/WBENC agency bringing unrivaled experience from a wide range of backgrounds to provide deep insights and counsel to our clients.

Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits
• 401k program and safe harbor match
• Paid personal time off
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Remote and flexible schedule options
• Charitable giving employer-match program

An Equal Opportunity Employer