At ERM, effective communication isn’t just messaging, it’s how projects earn trust, secure approvals, and sustain long-term success. As a Principal Consultant, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, you’ll guide complex stakeholder engagement and communications strategies that directly influence clients’ social license to operate across diverse industries and geographies. We are looking for individuals based in the Columbus, Ohio area.
What Your Impact Is:
Lead end-to-end delivery of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement programs
Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, shaping strategy on high-visibility projects
Drive cross-functional collaboration to deliver integrated, results-focused solutions
Influence business growth through client development, marketing initiatives, and proposal leadership
Champion innovative, equitable communications strategies that reflect diverse stakeholder needs
What You'll Bring:
Required
6-8+ years of experience in public affairs, PR, communications, or related field (consulting or agency preferred)
Proven experience managing projects, client relationships, budgets, and teams
Strong facilitation and presentation skills across diverse audiences
Expertise in stakeholder engagement, public consultation programs, and communications strategy
Exceptional writing and editing skills (AP style proficiency preferred)
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Willingness and ability to travel
Preferred
8+ years of relevant experience
Background in energy, environmental, or infrastructure sectors
Experience with social risk analysis, monitoring, and reporting
Media relations and crisis communications experience
Exposure to Environmental Justice initiatives
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Key Responsibilities:
Lead strategic communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives from planning through execution
Manage client relationships, project teams, budgets, and timelines
Design and implement public consultation programs (in-person and virtual)
Develop integrated communication materials (fact sheets, websites, newsletters, reports, etc.)
Drive media relations strategy and execution
Analyze stakeholder insights and trends to inform client strategies
Facilitate meetings, workshops, and community engagement events
Oversee social risk assessments tied to capital projects, M&A, and permitting efforts
Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative, technology-enabled communication solutions
Support business development through proposals, networking, and industry engagement
Coordinate subcontractors and internal resources to ensure seamless project delivery
For the Principal Consultant, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement position, the anticipated annual base pay is $121,500–$150,800 (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 subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.
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!
#LI-Hybrid
Skills Required
- 6-8+ years of experience in public affairs, public relations, communications, or a related field
- Consulting or agency experience
- Experience managing projects, client relationships, budgets, and teams
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills across diverse audiences
- Expertise in stakeholder engagement, public consultation programs, and communications strategy
- Exceptional writing and editing skills
- AP style proficiency
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Willingness and ability to travel
- 8+ years of relevant experience
- Background in energy, environmental, or infrastructure sectors
- Experience with social risk analysis, monitoring, and reporting
- Media relations and crisis communications experience
- Exposure to Environmental Justice initiatives
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience
What We Do
Sustainability is our business. As the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. This approach helps clients to accelerate the integration of sustainability at every level of their business. With more than 50 years of experience, ERM’s diverse team of 8000+ experts in 40 countries and territories helps clients create innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges, unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations
