Location: On-site in Grawn, MI

Our Communications & Marketing Specialist will embody Cherryland's mission on-site in Grawn, building member trust through clear, timely, and thoughtful communication. This role isn't about marketing for sales' sake. It's about communicating with purpose - strengthening member trust, supporting operational transparency, and advancing the cooperative mission. You'll translate complex utility operations into meaningful messages that serve 40,000 members safely, reliably, and affordably.

Why Cherryland?

Amazing Team: Work with passionate, high-performing colleagues who care deeply about the mission - To serve our members safely, reliably, and affordably.

Top-Notch Benefits: Enjoy a competitive wage and benefit plan, employer sponsored health insurance for your family, and many other life sustaining benefits including a matching 401(k) and a fully funded pension plan.

We Believe Life Doesn't Begin or End With the Workday: We ask a lot of our employees on a daily basis and treat our work relationships as long-term investments. During a storm (literal or figurative) we give 200%, but we also build flexibility and trust into our culture for the long haul.

What You'll Do

(Generalized - please see full job description for details)

• Write, edit, and manage content across website, email, social media, and print channels.
• Design and produce high-quality print and digital communications using Adobe Creative Suite and other evolving creative and marketing software platforms.
• Develop and facilitate operational communications including planned outage notifications, meter exchanges, service interruptions, and other service-related updates.
• Interpret and distill complex engineering, operational, and regulatory information into clear, transparent messaging.
• Create and execute marketing campaigns and member communications.
• Produce multimedia content including video, audio, and graphic elements.
• Support internal communications strategy in partnership with HR.
• Lead the design and distribution of member surveys and feedback tools.
• Actively participate in emergency communications during outages or severe weather, which may occur outside of normal office hours.
• Contribute bold, tech-forward ideas to a communications team that is energized, creative, and continuously improving.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're energized by meaningful work, high expectations, and a team that shows up when it counts, we encourage you to apply.

Please apply with both resume and cover letter and direct any questions to dcharnes@cherrylandelectric.coop.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Cherryland Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Cherryland are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected.

What We're Really Looking For

We're not just filling a seat. We're looking for a communicator who:

Is fiercely autonomous in information seeking.
When information is incomplete, evolving, or time-sensitive, you don't wait to be handed answers. You ask smart questions. You track down details. You verify before you publish.

Thrives in a high-energy, industry-forward communications environment.
You bring vigor, creativity, and fresh thinking - and you're equally comfortable collaborating and executing independently.

Understands what service really means.
Sometimes storms hit. Sometimes members need answers on a weekend. Sometimes an alert email can't wait until Monday. It's not constant - but when it happens, we need someone who leans in.

Is comfortable working on-site in Grawn, MI.
Presence matters here. Collaboration, real-time communication, and operational awareness are essential.

Has exceptional attention to detail.
Grammar, tone, timing, and accuracy matter. Our members deserve precision.

Is tech-forward and adaptable.
You're comfortable with CMS platforms, email marketing systems, social media management tools, and creative software. You're not intimidated by learning new systems and exploring better solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum two years of marketing communications experience.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Wordpress CMS, email marketing systems, and social platforms.
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple mediums.
• Must live within a 45-minute drive of our headquarters in Grawn, MI.
• Must be willing to submit to a nationwide criminal background check.

About Cherryland Electric Cooperative

Cherryland Electric Cooperative is an electric distribution cooperative serving over 38,000 members across six counties in the greater Traverse City, MI area. We take tremendous pride in keeping the lights on and advocating for the needs of the rural communities we serve. We are agile and innovative, committed to investing in programs and services that meet our members’ evolving expectations. We seek to hire the highest caliber of employees, and their talent and dedication continue to be the reason Cherryland is recognized both locally and nationally as an industry-leading electric cooperative. In recognition of this, we offer a highly competitive wage and benefit plan that includes not only a matching 401k but also a defined-benefit pension plan that is fully funded by the Cooperative.

Connections working at Cherryland Electric Cooperative