Marketing Communications Strategist

Illinois Tool Works · Appleton

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Job Description:

The Marketing Communications Strategist serves as the strategic communications lead responsible for strengthening ITW Welding's industry voice through proactive public relations, thought leadership, and strategic storytelling. This role builds and maintains trusted relationships with trade publication editors and industry media, positioning Miller as the preferred source for industry expertise, innovation, and customer success stories.

This role serves as the primary point of contact between ITW/Miller and key industry media, developing annual editorial strategies, coordinating public relations activities across business divisions, and translating complex technical information into compelling stories that resonate with customers, industry influencers, and the marketplace.

In addition to leading Public Relations efforts, this individual provides strategic copywriting support for product launches, campaigns, executive communications, and marketing initiatives, ensuring a consistent and compelling voice across all channels.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Public Relations

• Serve as Miller's primary communications contact for trade publications, editors, journalists, and industry media.

• Build long-term relationships with key trade publication editors to strengthen Miller's visibility and reputation within the welding and industrial markets.

• Develop and maintain annual editorial calendars aligned with business priorities, product launches, seasonal themes, and industry trends.

• Proactively identify opportunities for earned media, thought leadership, executive visibility, customer success stories, awards, and speaking engagements.

• Collaborate with Brand, Product Management, Sales, and divisional marketing teams to uncover stories worth telling.

• Coordinate all public relations activities across Miller divisions to ensure a consistent brand voice and maximize editorial opportunities.

• Develop and execute an annual enterprise Public Relations strategy aligned with business priorities, product launches, corporate initiatives, and industry trends.

• Measure and report on PR effectiveness, editorial placements, media engagement, and share of voice.
   

Thought Leadership & Story Development

• Identify emerging industry trends and translate them into thought leadership opportunities.

• Partner with internal technical experts to write press releases, articles, customer stories, and business case studies.

• Position Miller experts as trusted industry voices through proactive media engagement.

• Develop compelling narratives that reinforce Miller's leadership in innovation, safety, automation, and welding expertise.

• Develop relationships with industry associations, trade organizations, and media partners to expand Miller's visibility and influence
   

Copywriting & Marketing Content Development

• Develop compelling messaging that supports product launches, campaigns, digital experiences, executive communications, and customer engagement.

• Ensure a consistent brand voice across all written communications.

• Partner with Creative Services to deliver integrated campaigns across digital, print, social, and video.
   

Technical Product Storytelling

• Learn the products, applications, industry terminology, and competitive differentiators well enough to write about them accurately.

• Turn complex product information into benefit-driven messaging for external and internal audiences.

• Write product-focused content that connects features, benefits, applications, and customer value.

AI, Tools & Process Improvement

• Use AI tools to support ideation, drafting, editing, and research while applying judgement around accuracy, confidentiality, and brand alignment.

• Stay current on emerging AI capabilities and apply them to improve content workflows.

• Manage projects, timelines, feedback loops, and deliverables using project management and marketing technology tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or related field.

• 5+ years of experience in Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Marketing Communications, Journalism, or Content Marketing.

• Strong writing portfolio with examples across marketing copy, campaign messaging, social media, PR writing, or technical product communications.

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.

• Experience writing for multiple channels, including digital, social, print, PR, web, and campaign materials.

• Experience developing and executing Public Relations strategies and building relationships with trade publications, editors, journalists, or industry media strongly preferred.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Experience using AI writing, research, or productivity tools preferred.

• Manufacturing, industrial, B2B, technical product, or skilled trades industry experience a plus.

Key Competencies

• Copywriting and editing skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Technical curiosity and ability to learn complex subject matter

• Brand voice and audience awareness

• Storytelling and message development

• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

• Public relations and media relationship management

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Sound judgment and confidentiality

• Adaptability and continuous learning

• Responsible use of AI and emerging tools

• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities

Reporting Structure

This role sits within Creative Services and reports to the Senior Creative Services Manager. As the organization's strategic communications lead, this position partners closely with Product Management, Engineering, Sales, Brand, Divisional Marketing teams, Leadership, and external partners to develop and execute enterprise communications that strengthen Miller's (ITW Welding, where appropriate) market presence and industry leadership.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  

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