If you’re a seasoned communications leader ready to shape how major organizations navigate public perception, build trust, and earn their social license to operate—you’ll feel at home at ERM.
Why This Role Matters
As a Consulting Director, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, you’ll join a fast‑moving, high‑impact team of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement experts who partner with clients across the environmental consulting industry. Your work will directly influence major capital projects, ESG strategy, stakeholder relationships, and the future of responsible development.
Based in our Columbus, OH office, you’ll lead complex, high‑visibility projects, guide clients through challenging communications landscapes, and help drive ERM’s continued growth.
What Your Impact Is
Leading multifaceted communications and engagement programs that support clients across diverse industries and geographies.
Serving as a strategic advisor, translating complex issues into clear, actionable communications strategies.
Driving digital innovation and elevating ERM’s approach to social risk, community impact, and stakeholder engagement.
Strengthening client relationships, expanding ERM’s market presence, and contributing to business development.
Shaping internal and external marketing initiatives that amplify ERM’s brand and influence.
Managing, mentoring, and empowering teams to deliver exceptional results.
What You’ll Bring
Required
BA/BS in communications, public affairs, public relations, community relations, journalism, or related field.
8+ years of relevant experience (10+ preferred) in public affairs, consulting, or similar—energy sector experience a plus.
Proven ability to facilitate in‑person and virtual meetings with diverse audiences.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated experience planning and implementing public consultation programs and producing high‑quality informational materials.
Strong presentation skills with the ability to distill complex topics into clear, persuasive messages.
Excellent organizational abilities with a track record of meeting deadlines in fast‑moving environments.
Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Willingness to work in a hybrid office/home model and travel 4–6 weeks per year (including some evenings/overnights).
Preferred
Experience in crisis management.
Background supporting community engagement or social impact initiatives for capital projects, M&A activities, or permitting processes.
Key Responsibilities
Develop integrated, cross‑functional communications strategies alongside internal teams.
Lead internal and external marketing initiatives that support clients’ social license to operate.
Oversee day‑to‑day project delivery, including budgets, staffing, client communication, and deliverables.
Serve as a trusted advisor, guiding clients and teams through the planning and execution of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement programs—ranging from landowner outreach to large‑scale public consultation.
Monitor industry trends and drive digital innovation using ERM tools, technologies, and partnerships.
Direct social risk and community assessment reporting to support capital planning, permitting, and due diligence.
Build equitable, accessible communications plans informed by stakeholder demographics and community needs.
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop ESG communications aligned with the “Social” component of ESG.
Write, edit, and oversee a range of materials, including plans, fact sheets, newsletters, websites, brochures, letters, and more.
Analyze stakeholder communications and issues, producing clear summaries, reports, and insights.
Lead focus groups, community advisory groups, and other engagement forums to support client project planning.
Plan and facilitate in‑person and virtual project meetings, workshops, and public‑facing events.
Drive business development through proposal writing, industry outreach, relationship building, and client acquisition.
Manage and coordinate subcontractors in support of project delivery.
For the Consulting Director, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement position, the anticipated annual base pay is $150,997–$202,533 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.
Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.
Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.
At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.
Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.
ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Thank you for your interest in ERM!