Principal Labor and Communications Consultant – CONTRACT – Bloomington, MN

Our healthcare client is seeking a principal-level communications consultant to lead strategic communications related to labor and union activity. This newly approved role will help the organization communicate clearly and thoughtfully during organizing activity, election petitions, strikes, and other sensitive labor events.

This is a senior individual-contributor position for an experienced communications professional who can advise executives, partner closely with labor relations and legal teams, and personally develop the communications needed in fast-moving situations. The strongest candidates will bring direct labor or union communications experience, ideally within healthcare or another large, highly unionized organization.

What You Will Do

Develop and execute communication strategies for union organizing activity, election petitions, strikes, and other labor-related events.

Create proactive employee and culture communications that address workplace concerns and support constructive labor relations.

Provide targeted communication support for employee groups and locations experiencing heightened labor activity.

Partner with labor relations, legal counsel, human resources, operational leaders, and senior executives to align messaging and reduce organizational risk.

Translate complex labor issues and legal considerations into clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications.

Advise leaders on messaging, timing, channels, and communication strategy during rapidly changing situations.

Write and edit executive messages, leader materials, employee communications, frequently asked questions, talking points, and other communication tools.

Use available data and employee insights to shape communication priorities, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust the approach as needed.

Lead cross-functional communication work from strategy through execution while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgment.

Respond quickly and provide onsite communication support when urgent labor situations require it.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or four or more years of equivalent job-related experience.

Seven or more years of communications, public relations, journalism, employee communications, or related experience.

Demonstrated experience developing and executing communications connected to labor relations, union organizing, election petitions, strike preparation, or active labor events.

Exceptional writing and editing skills across executive, leader, and employee audiences.

Experience advising senior leaders and managing communications for complex, sensitive, or rapidly evolving situations.

Ability to distinguish legal, operational, and reputational considerations and work effectively with subject-matter experts.

Strong project leadership, organization, and prioritization skills, including the ability to manage multiple urgent workstreams.

Ability to work independently, influence without formal authority, and move comfortably between strategy and hands-on execution.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

Labor and union communications experience within a large healthcare system.

Experience partnering directly with labor relations, legal counsel, human resources, operational leaders, and executives.

Experience creating proactive culture and employee-engagement communications for high-risk employee groups or workplace hotspots.

Experience supporting both strike planning and communications during an active strike.

Experience in another large, complex, or highly unionized organization when the labor communications work is directly relevant.

Leadership experience in a senior individual-contributor or advisory role without formal people-management responsibility.

Leadership Expectations

The Principal Labor Communications Consultant will not have formal direct reports but will be expected to operate as a senior leader and trusted advisor. This person must be able to set direction, influence senior stakeholders, guide cross-functional partners, and independently lead sensitive work while remaining willing to write, edit, and execute the day-to-day communications.