The role—what you’ll do
Barr is seeking an experienced senior proposal writer to join our Corporate Communications team. In this hybrid role, you will support the Corporate Communications group and use your strong project management and exceptional writing and editing skills to develop strategic and persuasive proposals and presentations in collaboration with engineers, scientists, and fellow business development and communications specialists. You’ll also get to work on other exciting projects, such as project examples, marketing brochures, website content, blog posts, social media updates, news stories, newsletter features, and internal communications.
A successful person in this role will be detail- and deadline-oriented and passionate about serving as a proposal manager and strategic communications advisor. They enjoy working independently and collaboratively as part of a team, using their project management expertise and technical writing skills to help differentiate Barr’s message, advance understanding of Barr’s services and value proposition, and deliver high-caliber proposals on time. They serve as a mentor to less experienced proposal writers and consistently demonstrate and advocate for proposal and marketing best practices. They are also flexible in working with project teams and are willing to occasionally modify schedules to meet project deadlines and/or client needs.
Your impact—key responsibilities
Proposal development, management, and strategy: lead the creation of compelling proposals and presentations by guiding and collaborating with technical teams to craft persuasive messaging that highlights Barr’s services and value. Develop proposal strategies and drive proposal development to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.
Content writing and editing: write, edit, and design a variety of content—from proposals to feature articles—focusing on clarity, engagement, and impact. Maintain a consistent tone and message across materials to strengthen Barr’s brand.
Marketing and communications initiatives support: contribute to marketing campaigns by developing blog posts, social media content, news stories, and thought-leadership pieces that raise Barr’s visibility and credibility in the market.
Event and media coordination: support the planning and execution of webinars, videos, and conference presentations, as well as the development of promotional and informational materials to extend Barr’s outreach and client engagement.
About the opportunity
Compensation: anticipated range of $78,000–95,000 annually. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position can be based out of Barr's Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota; Bismarck, North Dakota; or Ann Arbor, Michigan, offices.
About you—required core competencies
Education: bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, writing, or a related field.
Experience: 10 or more years of relevant experience:
Managing proposals or other complex projects to meet strict deadlines with the proven ability to lead through influence.
Serving as a strategic proposal and communications advisor.
Writing proposals or other forms of persuasive communications, including technical or complex information.
Developing and employing exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Developing content in multiple formats with working knowledge of graphic- and document-design principles.
Software: proficiency with MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel software.
Communication: superb interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of different people.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future.
Helpful additional experience (not required)
Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; Microsoft Office 365 platforms, including Outlook, SharePoint, and MS Teams; Prezi.
Deltek Vantagepoint or other client and project management systems; Open Asset; and/or MS Project software.
Content management system experience.
Digital marketing experience.
Technical editing experience.
Photography experience.
Ability and willingness to occasionally travel (1–2 times per year) to other Barr offices is preferred.
#LI-Hybrid
Benefits - what we offer
We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.
Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock
Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders
Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities
Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave
Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities
Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.
About us - why choose Barr
At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.
As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.
To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit: https://www.barr.com/Careers/Our-culture
Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Top Skills
What We Do
Barr provides engineering and environmental consulting services to clients across the Midwest, throughout the Americas, and around the world. We have been employee-owned since 1966 and trace our origins to the early 1900s. Working together, our 1,000+ engineers, scientists, and technical specialists help clients develop, manage, and restore natural resources.
Barr’s project teams work with clients in industries such as power, refining, mining, and manufacturing as well as attorneys, government agencies, and natural-resource-management organizations. Our project sites range from iron-ore mines in South America to wind-power farms in South Dakota, from manufacturing facilities in California to oil-sands fields in western Canada.
Barr is an EEO employer. For more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.barr.com
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