Principal Jobs in Ohio
Principal jobs in Ohio are consistently active, with demand concentrated in K-12 public school districts, charter school networks, and private and parochial schools across the state, with openings ranging from assistant principal through district-level leadership roles. The heaviest hiring is in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, where large employers such as Columbus City Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Cincinnati Public Schools maintain ongoing recruitment pipelines. The most in-demand specializations include elementary school leadership, urban school turnaround, and special education administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 70+ Principal jobs
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
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
See All 70 Principal Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal JobsPrincipal Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- American Electric Power10
- Northrop Grumman8
- Toole Design4
- American Honda Motor4
- AMS2
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Human Resources
- Technology & Software
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal jobs across Ohio.
- Active Ohio Principal License issued by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce required
- Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or a closely related field
- Minimum of three years of licensed teaching experience in an accredited school setting
- Experience with Ohio's school improvement frameworks, state accountability systems, and OTES evaluations
- Demonstrated ability to lead instructional staff, manage budgets, and implement curriculum standards
- Strong record of family and community engagement within diverse Ohio school communities
Principal Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal in Ohio?
To become a principal in Ohio, you must earn an Ohio Principal License through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. This requires completing an approved educational leadership preparation program at an Ohio university, holding or completing a valid Ohio teaching license, and accumulating at least three years of licensed teaching experience. Most candidates complete a master's or specialist degree in educational leadership before applying for licensure through the department's online educator licensure system.
Which companies hire principals in Ohio?
Employers hiring principals in Ohio right now include American Electric Power, Northrop Grumman, and Toole Design, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Ohio's mix of large urban districts, suburban systems, and a well-established charter school sector means openings appear across a wide range of school types and organizational sizes throughout the state.
Which Ohio cities have the most principal jobs?
The Ohio cities with the most principal openings are Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Columbus leads as the state's largest and fastest-growing urban district, while Cleveland and Cincinnati anchor significant public and charter school hiring in their respective regions, and suburban districts surrounding each metro consistently post openings as enrollment and leadership turnover create demand.
Are there remote principal jobs in Ohio?
Yes, but they're rare. Principal work is fundamentally on-site, requiring daily presence in school buildings to lead staff, support students, and manage operations. About 70% of principal openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings typically involve virtual school programs or district-level administrative roles rather than traditional building leadership positions.
How can I get hired as a principal in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant principal role while completing an Ohio-approved educational leadership preparation program. Large Ohio districts such as Columbus City Schools and Cleveland Metropolitan School District regularly recruit aspiring administrators through grow-your-own leadership pipelines and residency programs aimed at experienced teachers pursuing their first administrative role. Holding a current Ohio teaching license and completing your principal licensure coursework before applying gives you a clear edge over candidates who have not yet started the credentialing process.
Where can I find and apply to principal jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to principal jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings from school districts, charter networks, and private schools across the state. Find the roles that fit your experience level and location preference and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 70 Principal Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Jobs