The posting
Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) is seeking a Senior Communications & Public Engagement (CPE) Manager to lead strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach efforts supporting a major K-12 capital improvement and bond program in Oakland, California.
B&D is entering an exciting period of growth, creating new opportunities for professionals who are passionate about community impact, strategic communications, and public engagement. We are seeking a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who can help advance the District's vision, strengthen community trust, and support meaningful engagement around school modernization and capital improvement initiatives throughout Oakland.
The Opportunity at a Glance
At Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D), we lead the planning, development, and management of the places that shape and strengthen communities, where people live, learn, work, and play. B&D partners with educational institutions, municipalities, and organizations to shape and deliver complex real estate and capital projects, providing strategic insight and end-to-end advisory services across the full project lifecycle.
B&D recently joined forces with Project Management Advisors, bringing together two nationally recognized leaders in program management and real estate advisory services. Together, the combined firm offers expanded capabilities across industries and throughout the full project lifecycle, from early-stage strategy and planning through execution and beyond.
As a Senior CPE Manager, you will serve as a strategic communications and engagement leader supporting a large K-12 public school district's facilities planning & management division and bond measure program. You will work closely with district leadership, project managers, community stakeholders, and communications partners to advance public awareness, transparency, and community participation throughout the planning and delivery of major capital projects and initiatives.
This role extends far beyond traditional communications. You will help guide engagement strategy, advise client leadership, improve stakeholder processes, support decision-making, and ensure community voices are meaningfully incorporated into project planning and implementation. Success in this role requires equal parts strategic thinking, project management, relationship-building, and hands-on execution.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is energized by complex public-sector work, passionate about serving diverse communities, and motivated by the visible impact of school modernization investments on students, families, educators, and neighborhoods.
The position is fully onsite in Oakland, California.
How You'll Contribute
Strategic Communications & Bond Measure Outreach
- Develop and execute strategic communications plans supporting Bond Measure projects, district initiatives, and special programs.
- Lead communications across websites, microsites, newsletters, email campaigns, presentations, reports, videos, and other communications channels.
- Develop stakeholder-facing communications, including project updates, surveys, construction notices, presentations, reports, infographics, and outreach materials.
- Support and maintain the facilities division's visual identity, branding standards, and public-facing communications.
- Create compelling stories that highlight project milestones, modernization efforts, sustainability initiatives, and program achievements.
- Develop messaging and communications strategies that strengthen public awareness, accountability, and understanding of Bond Measure investments.
- Advise Facilities leadership on communications strategy, stakeholder considerations, public messaging, and engagement opportunities.
Public Engagement & Stakeholder Relations
- Support the implementation of the district's major projects engagement process across capital projects and major initiatives.
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate stakeholder engagement activities, including public meetings, advisory committees, town halls, school-site meetings, workshops, and community events.
- Foster meaningful participation from diverse stakeholder groups, including students, families, educators, neighborhood organizations, community partners, and district leadership.
- Ensure transparent communication and opportunities for stakeholder input throughout the lifecycle of major projects.
- Continuously improve engagement strategies, tools, processes, and reporting metrics.
- Collaborate closely with project managers and district leaders to help navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and community priorities.
Program Reporting & Project Management
- Manage the development, review, and publication of executive communications, reports, and program updates.
- Coordinate project reporting for district leadership, the Board of Education, Facilities Committee, principals, and the Citizen Bond Oversight Committee.
- Track communication and engagement metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Develop presentations and materials that communicate complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Support planning, scheduling, and coordination efforts across multiple concurrent initiatives.
Summer Internship Program
- Coordinate the District's Facilities Bond Measure Summer Internship Program.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, partner coordination, program tracking, and participant engagement.
- Document program outcomes and develop communications that highlight interns' experiences and the program's impact.
Practice Growth & Business Development
- Participate in networking, industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
- Support proposal development, interviews, and pursuit activities.
- Contribute communications and engagement expertise to other client projects as needed.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the West Coast and Southcentral regions to strengthen practice capabilities and share best practices.
How You'll Lead
- Serve as a trusted advisor to facilities leadership on communications, engagement strategy, stakeholder relations, and public messaging.
- Lead through collaboration, influence, and problem-solving in a complex public-sector environment.
- Help clients build structure, improve processes, and successfully execute engagement plans and communication initiatives.
- Balance competing stakeholder interests while maintaining transparency and public trust.
- Supervise and mentor CPE staff assigned to the program.
- Foster strong relationships across district departments, community groups, consultants, contractors, and project teams.
- Represent B&D with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to community-centered engagement.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience leading strategic communications and public engagement initiatives.
- Experience supporting public agencies, K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, capital improvement programs, community-based organizations, or similar environments.
- Experience managing multiple complex projects and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups.
- Experience facilitating public meetings, outreach efforts, stakeholder engagement activities, or community engagement programs.
- Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
- Experience developing reports, executive communications, presentations, and public-facing materials.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to serving diverse communities.
- Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
- Reliable transportation.
Why People Choose B&D
Meaningful Community Impact
Help shape the facilities and learning environments that serve Oakland students, families, and communities.
Challenging & Rewarding Work
Partner with district leaders and stakeholders to advance major school modernization projects that create lasting change.
Growth & Development
Gain exposure to communications strategy, public engagement, capital programs, and client advisement while building your professional expertise.
Collaborative Culture
Work alongside passionate professionals who value curiosity, teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
Robust Benefits
Comprehensive benefits include 100% company-paid medical, dental, and prescription coverage, a targeted 7% employer contribution 401(k), generous PTO, and more.
Apply Today!
To get started, our application process includes a resume, a portfolio or work samples, and an optional cover letter.
This role's target base annual salary range is currently $140,000-160,000. Pay scales are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors unique to each candidate, including, but not limited to, job-related skills, relevant education, experience, certifications, candidate abilities, and pay relative to other team members.
The company benefits listed above are a summary of the benefits. Specific details, availability, and eligibility requirements apply in accordance with company policies.
Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. participates in E-Verify.
