Strategic Communications Specialist

Otter Tail Corporation; Fergus Falls (MN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plans

Stock options

Retirement plan with employer match

Health, disability and life insurance

Training & development

Career development

Vacation & sick leave

Job summary

Otter Tail Power Company in Fergus Falls, MN seeks a Communications Specialist to transform complex priorities into clear, actionable communications for diverse stakeholders.

You will develop and execute plans, collaborate with leaders, and create audience‑focused content while tracking impact and ensuring consistency with brand standards. Some travel and occasional nonstandard hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in communications, PR, communication planning, community engagement, or related area.
• Ability to develop communication plans, identify audience needs, select messages and channels, and prepare clear materials.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, organizational, and project‑management skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple plans, deliverables, deadlines, details, and stakeholder relationships from start to finish.
• Experience coordinating multi‑step communication projects, meetings, events, or stakeholder‑engagement initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal and customer‑service skills, with ability to work with leaders, coworkers, and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail, judgment, adaptability, follow‑through, and commitment to quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn communication and project‑management tools, including AI‑enabled tools.
• Ability to travel as needed and work evenings or nonstandard hours to support meetings or events.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive communication plans identifying stakeholder groups, objectives, information needs, key messages, messengers, timing, channels, responsibilities, dependencies, and success measures.
• Partner with leaders and subject‑matter experts to understand priorities and information needs before recommending an approach.
• Translate business strategy into coordinated action with practical communication methods, channels, formats, and sequencing.
• Create and adapt audience‑focused content including updates, presentations, FAQs, talking points, invitations, newsletters, and digital materials.
• Turn complex information into clear materials for intended audiences.
• Manage communication projects end‑to‑end from intake to closeout, including review and measurement.
• Maintain organized documentation with plans, schedules, logs, and knowledge sharing.
• Coordinate meetings, public sessions, events, sponsorships, tours, and other activities.

Skills

Communication plans

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Strong writing

Microsoft 365

Event coordination

Public relations

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications

Tools

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Otter Tail Power Company in Fergus Falls, MN seeks a Communications Specialist to transform complex priorities into clear, actionable communications for diverse stakeholders.

You will develop and execute plans, collaborate with leaders, and create audience‑focused content while tracking impact and ensuring consistency with brand standards. Some travel and occasional nonstandard hours may be required.