📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Specialist
🔹 Company: Smiths Group
🔹 Location: Slough, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Creating engaging written and visual content for John Crane, a business of Smiths Group
- Collaborating with various teams to improve content quality and volume for internal and external audiences
- Ensuring content aligns with brand messaging, industry trends, and customer needs
- Managing content calendars and delivery, optimizing content for SEO, and tracking performance metrics
- Cross-departmental collaboration to maintain a consistent brand voice across all channels
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of B2B marketing communications and the ability to adapt to a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Create product and service descriptions, whitepapers, blog posts, and case studies with industry and company experts
✅ Ensure content aligns with brand messaging, industry trends, and customer needs
✅ Manage content calendars and related delivery, optimizing content for SEO and tracking performance metrics
✅ Collaborate with the website optimization lead and other departments to create a consistent brand voice across all channels
✅ Experiment with new content formats and marketing tactics to deliver more effective communications
✅ Cross-edit and proofread material prepared internally and externally
ASSUMPTION: This role requires excellent copywriting skills, a native English speaker, and the ability to present technical information in a digestible manner.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Media, Marketing, or related discipline.
Experience: Minimum three years of experience within a relevant field, with a preference for B2B marketing communications experience.
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to implement at speed and be detail-oriented
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a dynamic and flexible environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in B2B marketing communications
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong academic background and relevant work experience to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £28,000 - £35,000 per annum (based on experience level and industry standards for the UK)
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- Employee resource groups (ERGs) for diversity and inclusion
- Annual Smiths Excellence Awards and global Smiths Day celebrations
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Content Specialist role in the UK, with consideration for the candidate's experience level.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Security and Investigations, with a focus on threat detection and screening technologies
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: 1851, with a rich history and experience across more than 70 years at the frontline of threat detection and screening
Company Description:
- Smiths Group is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies, making the world a safer place every minute of every day
- The company's experience and history enable it to deliver solutions to protect society from the threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics
- Smiths Detection operates in over 50 countries, with a global network of more than 200 sites and employs more than 6,000 people worldwide
Company Specialties:
- X-ray inspection
- Chemical agent identification
- Explosives trace detection
- Security screening
- Checkpoint security
- Air cargo screening
- Aviation security
- Force protection
- Biological agent identification
- Homeland security
- Border security
- Port security
- Biological threat
- Cargo screening
- Mailroom screening
- Open architecture
Company Website: www.smithsdetection.com
ASSUMPTION: Smiths Detection is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a focus on innovation in threat detection and screening technologies.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development within the marketing and communications department
Reporting Structure: The Content Specialist will report to the Senior Manager – Brand & Content
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a flexible work arrangement that combines on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression within the marketing and communications department, such as moving into a senior or management role
- Expanding skills and expertise in content creation, SEO, and project management
- Potential opportunities to work on international projects and collaborate with global teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for candidates looking to advance their careers in content creation and marketing communications.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work
Office Location(s): Slough, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Slough is a town in Berkshire, England, located near London, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
- The area has a diverse range of amenities, including shopping, dining, and recreational facilities
- Slough is well-connected by road and rail, with easy access to London and other major cities
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and a member of the marketing team
- Final interview with the senior manager or director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to present technical information clearly
- Understanding of brand messaging and industry trends
- Project management skills and ability to manage content calendars
- Cultural fit and alignment with Smiths Group's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Provide examples of your content creation and copywriting work, demonstrating your ability to create engaging and informative content
- Prepare for interview questions that assess your communication skills, industry knowledge, and cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Content creation, copywriting, SEO, stakeholder management, communication skills, technical writing, brand messaging, content strategy, proofreading, cross-department collaboration, B2B marketing, content optimization, engagement strategies, project management, analytical skills, adaptability
ASSUMPTION: Smiths Detection uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can improve your chances of being shortlisted.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- SEO tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant content management, SEO, project management, and design tools is beneficial for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety: Our top priority is the safety of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve
- Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our interactions
- Responsibility: We take personal responsibility for our actions and their impact on others
- Innovation: We foster a culture of continuous improvement and creativity
- Collaboration: We work together, sharing knowledge and supporting each other to achieve our goals
Work Style:
- Dynamic and flexible, with a focus on cross-departmental collaboration
- Results-driven, with a focus on delivering high-quality content and achieving measurable outcomes
- Adaptable, with the ability to work in a fast-paced and changing environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong understanding of B2B marketing communications and the ability to adapt to a dynamic, cross-functional environment?
- Are you comfortable working with technical information and presenting it in a digestible manner?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment and enjoy working with diverse teams?
ASSUMPTION: Smiths Detection values candidates who align with their core values and are comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple content projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with technical subject matter and ensuring content is accessible to non-expert audiences
- Balancing the need for creativity and innovation with brand guidelines and messaging consistency
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining effective communication with remote team members
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, clear communication, and a focus on collaboration and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Content Specialist vs. Content Strategist: While both roles focus on content creation, a Content Strategist is more focused on developing and implementing content strategies, while a Content Specialist is more focused on day-to-day content creation and management
- B2B vs. B2C Marketing: B2B marketing, as in this role, focuses on business-to-business relationships, while B2C marketing focuses on business-to-consumer interactions. The target audience, messaging, and content approach differ between the two
- Content Specialist vs. Technical Writer: While both roles involve creating technical content, a Technical Writer is more focused on creating user manuals, API documentation, and other technical support materials, while a Content Specialist creates a broader range of content, including marketing materials, blog posts, and case studies
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the differences between these related roles can help candidates determine if the Content Specialist role is the best fit for their skills and career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a series of blog posts on industry trends and best practices in threat detection and screening technologies
- Creating a whitepaper on the benefits of investing in advanced threat detection solutions for airports and other high-risk environments
- Managing a content calendar for a quarter, ensuring a mix of evergreen, seasonal, and promotional content is published on time and on brand
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of content creation and management tasks involved in the Content Specialist role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits into the broader marketing and communications department?
- How does Smiths Detection support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Smiths Detection approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a hybrid environment, and how does Smiths Detection support its employees in overcoming these challenges?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for interview questions that assess your communication skills, industry knowledge, and cultural fit
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to provide examples of your content creation and copywriting work
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
