Media Relations and Content Strategy Manager

Wheels

Schaumburg, Illinois

JOB DETAILS
LOCATION
Schaumburg, Illinois
POSTED
19 days ago
Job Description:

The Media Relations and Content Strategy Manager isresponsible for executing and evolving the company's external communications across owned, earned, paid, and social channels. This hands-on role plays a critical part in shaping and activating content and thought leadership that highlights the company's expertise, services, and market leadership.

Working closely with internal business leaders and external partners, this role ensures consistent messaging that supports brand awareness, demand generation, and reputation-building within a complex B2B services environment. The ideal candidate can balance creativity, strong execution, and strategic instincts - contributing to broader strategy, creating content and supporting external communication programs.

KEY FOCUS AREAS
  • Develop and execute external communications programs across PR, social media, paid media, and owned channels
  • Develop and manage content that supports thought leadership, brand differentiation, and industry credibility
  • Support executive and subject-matter expert visibility through bylines, speaking opportunities, and social amplification
  • Measure performance and optimize content and channel effectiveness

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • External Communications & Media Relations:
    • Build relationships with business and industry media and secure earned coverage.
    • Support executive and subject-matter visibility through bylines, speaking opportunities and industry events.
    • Write and edit content for external communications (press releases, articles, pitches, statements).
    • Ensure all external communications align with brand messaging and tone.
    • Develop and place paid media that effectively communicates the value of Wheels.
  • Social Media Strategy & Execution:
    • Develop and maintain the social media strategy and maintain the calendar.
    • Create, schedule, and publish posts across LinkedIn and other relevant platforms.
    • Monitor engagement and respond to comments/messages in alignment with brand voice.
    • Partner with internal stakeholders to amplify key campaigns, announcements and thought leadership.
  • Content Ideation & Thought Leadership Development:
    • Generate ideas for content such as blogs, articles, thought leadership and other market-facing content.
    • Collaborate with subject-matter experts and other content developers to source insights and support content creation as needed.
    • Help translate complex services, data, and perspectives into completing narratives for external audiences.
  • Social Listening & Competitive Intelligence:
    • Monitor industry conversations, media coverage, social signals, and competitor activity.
    • Provide insights and recommendations that inform content plans, messaging, and channel strategies.
  • Analytics & Optimization:
    • Track and analyze performance metrics to optimize strategies.
    • Use insights to refine strategies and improve engagement.
    • Ensure that all content pieces are current and easily retrievable.
    • Manage timelines, agencies, freelancers, and internal review processes as needed.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
  • This position is an individual contributor and must have strong leadership skills, be comfortable interacting with and presenting to senior leaders.
  • This position will be responsible for working effectively cross-department and cross-functionally to manage and coordinate programs and providing guidance to peers and leaders.

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS
  • Ability to plan and deliver integrated communications across PR, social, digital and owned platforms
  • Strong editorial and writing skills with experience producing insight-driven content
  • Skilled at translating complex services, insights and perspectives into clear, compelling narratives for stakeholders including external audience
  • Working knowledge of social media platforms and management tools, (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social), content distribution, and media engagement best practices
  • Ability to track engagement, reach and effectiveness and apply insights to improve future programs
  • Strategic thinker, with strong business acumen, ability to navigate ambiguity and understand complex topics
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, comfortable managing timelines, agencies, and internal review processes

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, PR, social me

About the Company

W

Wheels