Marketing Communications Specialist

Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced PR/Communications Specialist to join our marketing team. This role involves managing our public relations and communications efforts, enhancing our brand image, creating and delivering timely, engaging content across our media partners and digital platforms. The ideal candidate will ensure effective communication with leadership, be passionate about storytelling, proficient in journalism and social media strategy.

About W.S. Darley & Co: Founded in 1908, W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) remains a family owned and operated business, supplying the highest quality equipment solutions to its military and first responder customers. With origins in the equipment distribution and Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a family of leading innovate emergency equipment brands and innovative solutions. Darley prides itself on delivering the highest quality solutions and services from its corporate headquarters in Itasca, IL and its’ ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing operations in Chippewa Falls, WI and Janesville, IA. Darley also maintains offices is six countries worldwide.

Requirements

Social Media Strategy & Management

• Lead the development, execution, and optimization of Darley's social media strategy across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and emerging platforms.
• Grow audience engagement, brand awareness, and community interaction through compelling content and innovative campaigns.
• Stay current with industry trends, platform updates, AI-driven tools, and social media best practices to continuously improve performance and maximize reach.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on social media metrics, using data-driven insights to refine strategies and increase share of voice within our target markets.

Public Relations & Brand Visibility

• Manage and expand Darley's public relations efforts to strengthen brand reputation and increase visibility across the military, first responder, public safety, and industrial sectors.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry publications, media outlets, influencers, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and secure opportunities for earned media coverage, thought leadership, awards, speaking engagements, and strategic partnerships.
• Track and improve the company's share of voice and media presence against competitors and industry benchmarks.

Email Marketing & Digital Communications

• Create, execute, and optimize robust email marketing and digital communication campaigns that support lead generation, customer engagement, product launches, events, and brand initiatives.
• Develop engaging content and messaging for newsletters, promotional campaigns, nurture sequences, and customer communications.
• Manage campaign calendars and distribution schedules to ensure consistent communication cadences across multiple audiences and business units.
• Analyze campaign performance, including open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and engagement metrics, and recommend improvements to maximize effectiveness.

Content Creation & Corporate Communications

• Research, write, edit, and distribute a wide variety of content, including press releases, articles, customer success stories, executive communications, social media content, website copy, and internal communications.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, product, and leadership teams to ensure messaging is aligned with business goals and brand standards.
• Support corporate storytelling initiatives that reinforce Darley's mission, values, innovation, and industry leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Proven experience in PR, communications, social media or a similar role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in social media strategy, platforms and digital communication tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices in PR and communications.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of content creation experience.

Preferred Technical Qualifications

• Previous experience with digital media and analytics tools including HubSpot, SalesForce, Google Analytics, LinkedIn & Meta Insights, and WordPress a plus.
• Excellent computer skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong understanding of SEO and content best practices.

Benefits Offered

• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health & Wellness Reimbursement
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability
• HSA with Darley contribution
• FSA
• 401K/Roth with match and profit sharing
• Darley paid life insurance

AAP/EEO Statement

Darley is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.