Communications Specialist

Our client is located in Minneapolis, MN and looking to add a Graphic Designer/Creative Writer to their team on a 6 month contract basis, potential for extension. Target pay is $40-60/hr. 1099 basis. Application Requirements Must submit a portfolio or work samples that demonstrate both writing and design capabilities, including examples of print, digital, presentation, campaign, or customer-facing communications materials. The Graphic Designer / Creative Writer is a hybrid creative role responsible for developing compelling written content and high-quality visual communications that support customer, community, employee, and stakeholder engagement for a regulated utility. This position will translate complex utility, regulatory, operational, and customer information into clear, accurate, accessible, and brand-aligned materials across print, digital, social, presentation, and campaign channels. The ideal candidate is a strong storyteller and versatile designer who can balance creativity with precision, compliance awareness, and customer empathy. This role requires close collaboration with marketing, communications, energy efficiency, customer experience, regulatory, operations, legal, and external agency partners to produce materials that are visually engaging, easy to understand, and appropriate for a highly regulated environment. Key Responsibilities Write, edit, and proofread marketing and communications content for customer campaigns, employee communications, newsletters, bill inserts, website updates, social media, email, brochures, fact sheets, presentations, event materials, signage, and other collateral. Design creative assets for print and digital channels, including flyers, infographics, social graphics, presentations, display materials, ads, reports, templates, and branded campaign elements. Translate technical, regulatory, operational, and customer service information into clear, concise, audience-appropriate communications. Maintain consistency with brand standards, tone of voice, accessibility expectations, plain-language principles, and approved messaging. Collaborate with subject matter experts to gather information, clarify objectives, and develop creative concepts that support business goals and customer understanding. Support integrated marketing and communications campaigns from concept through execution, including creative briefs, copy development, layout, design, revisions, and final production. Develop visual storytelling tools, such as infographics, one-page summaries, process visuals, maps, timelines, and executive-ready presentation materials. Review creative work for accuracy, grammar, visual quality, brand consistency, and alignment with regulatory, legal, and operational requirements. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and respond effectively to feedback from internal stakeholders. Maintain organized creative files, templates, source materials, and final assets to support efficient reuse and version control. Stay current on design trends, communication best practices, utility industry issues, accessibility standards, and emerging creative tools. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, communications, marketing, journalism, English, visual communications, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. Demonstrated experience creating both written content and visual designs for business, marketing, communications, or public-facing materials. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout, typography, and visual communication skills. Ability to simplify complex information while maintaining accuracy, credibility, and appropriate tone. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow brand, legal, regulatory, and accessibility guidelines. Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Portfolio or work samples demonstrating both design and writing capabilities. Experience in a regulated industry, utility, energy company, public sector organization, requiring careful review and compliance-sensitive communications. Experience developing customer-facing communications related to billing, safety, reliability, infrastructure, energy efficiency, outage preparedness, community programs, or public awareness campaigns. Experience creating executive presentations, infographics, campaign toolkits, social media assets, and multi‑channel marketing materials. Knowledge of accessibility best practices, plain-language writing, AP Style, brand governance, and print production processes. Basic photography, video editing, animation, web content, or email marketing experience is a plus. Work Environment This role operates in a collaborative marketing communications environment and may support both planned campaigns and time-sensitive communications needs. The position may require coordination with internal business units, field operations, regulatory or legal reviewers, agency partners, printers, and digital channel owners. Some work outside normal business hours may be required during major events, storms, service disruptions, emergency communications, or high-priority business needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Virtual Bench