Consulting Associate, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

Title: Consulting Associate, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Work Type: Hybrid, Full Time

Job ID: R00029127

Job Description:

Ready to launch your consulting career with meaningful, hands-on work that shapes how communities, companies, and agencies communicate? At ERM, you’ll join a collaborative team where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work helps advance real-world sustainability solutions. If you’re eager to build your career at the intersection of communication, public engagement, and environmental impact—this is your opportunity.

Why This Role Matters

As a Consulting Associate, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement in our Columbus, Ohio office, you’ll play a key role in how our clients communicate with the public, government agencies, and community stakeholders. Your work helps organizations navigate complex sustainability and regulatory challenges while ensuring transparency, trust, and meaningful engagement. This role is ideal for early-career professionals who want to grow quickly, deepen their experience, and contribute to ERM’s mission of shaping a more sustainable future.

What Your Impact Is

You will support project teams in delivering high-quality strategic communications, stakeholder outreach, research, event coordination, and digital engagement services. Your ability to gather insights, craft clear messages, organize information, and connect with diverse audiences will strengthen our client relationships and contribute directly to new work opportunities. With ERM’s world-class sustainability platform behind you, your work will influence decision‑making “from boots to boardroom.”

What You’ll Bring

Required

• BS/BA degree, preferably in Public Affairs, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, English, Political Science, or a related field. Or equivalent experience.

• Interest in public relations/public affairs; relevant internship experience welcomed.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; Spanish fluency a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Professional demeanor with strong organizational and multitasking abilities.

• Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to manage shifting priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to work full time in a hybrid office/home environment; some travel (2–4 weeks per year).

• Experience using social media/digital platforms.

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Experience with Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop (not required).

• Local candidates preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Desktop Monitoring & Analysis: Track traditional and social media using web-based tools to identify trends, risks, and insights that support client objectives.

• Stakeholder Database Management: Research and input stakeholder data (elected officials, agencies, community groups, NGOs, etc.); maintain tracking databases and prepare reports for clients or regulatory purposes.

• Writing & Content Development: Summarize research, draft meeting notes, prepare communication materials, and assist in producing fact sheets, newsletters, and outreach content.

• Event Planning & Coordination: Support logistics for public meetings, including venue selection, scheduling, materials preparation, catering, and on-site needs.

• Project Support: Assist with task tracking, mail merges, proofreading, online research, file maintenance, scheduling, and preparation of client collateral.

• Health & Safety: Follow all project-specific health and safety requirements.

• Cross-Practice Collaboration: Provide support to other ERM practice areas as needed.

For the Consulting Associate, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement position, the anticipated annual base pay is $62,718–$78,182 (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.

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