📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Specialist
🔹 Company: Smiths Group
🔹 Location: Slough, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term Contract for 12 months (Hybrid)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 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 optimizing content for SEO
- Working effectively across departments 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 for ongoing communication campaigns and launches
✅ Develop 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
✅ Optimize content for SEO and track performance metrics
✅ Collaborate with website optimization lead to ensure content is optimized for SEO and track performance metrics
✅ Work effectively across departments to create and ensure a consistent and unified 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
✅ Excellent copywriting skills and native English speaker required
✅ Strong communication skills and ability to present technical information in a digestible manner
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of creative and strategic tasks, requiring both strong writing skills and the ability to manage projects and stakeholders.
🎯 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 with SEO optimization tools
- Familiarity with content management systems (CMS)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with marketing automation tools may also be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (Estimated based on market research for similar roles in the UK)
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- Employee resource groups (ERGs) for diversity and inclusion
- Annual Smiths Excellence Awards and Smiths Day celebrations
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Hybrid, with flexibility for remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in the UK. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Security and Investigations, with a focus on threat detection and screening technologies
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, with a global presence across multiple countries
Founded: 1851 (as Smiths Group), with the Smiths Detection division founded in 1990
Company Description:
- Smiths Group is a global leader in engineering solutions that contribute to a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world
- Smiths Detection is a division of Smiths Group, specializing in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports, borders, and urban security
- The company operates in over 50 countries, employing 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 Group and its divisions, including Smiths Detection, operate in a highly competitive and dynamic global market, requiring employees to be adaptable and responsive to changing customer needs and industry trends.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development within the marketing and communications department
Reporting Structure: The Content Specialist reports directly to the Senior Manager – Brand & Content
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work, typically Monday to Friday during normal office hours
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior or management role within the marketing and communications department
- Expansion of responsibilities to cover additional regions or product lines
- Development of skills in related areas, such as digital marketing or project management
ASSUMPTION: As a mid-sized company, Smiths Group offers opportunities for career progression and skill development, but may have less structured career paths than larger organizations.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, professional office environment with on-site amenities and collaborative workspaces
Office Location(s): Slough, United Kingdom (with hybrid work arrangements)
Geographic Context:
- Slough is located in the Thames Valley region of the UK, approximately 20 miles west of London
- The area is home to many multinational corporations and offers a mix of urban and suburban living
- Slough has excellent transportation links, with easy access to London and other major cities
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (with flexibility for remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different work preferences and needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- First-round interview with the hiring manager or a member of the marketing team
- Second-round interview, potentially involving a presentation or case study
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication and writing skills
- Understanding of B2B marketing communications
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Smiths Detection's products and services, and the industry in which they operate
- Prepare examples of your writing and project management skills to discuss during the interview
- Research the company and its competitors to show your knowledge of the market and industry trends
ATS Keywords: Content creation, copywriting, SEO optimization, stakeholder management, communication skills, technical writing, brand messaging, content strategy, B2B marketing, project management, collaboration, adaptability, detail orientation, experimentation
ASSUMPTION: As a mid-sized company, Smiths Group may have a more streamlined interview process than larger organizations, but still values thorough candidate assessment and engagement.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Content management systems (CMS)
- SEO optimization tools (e.g., Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the department and team, but strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with marketing automation tools are likely to be beneficial for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Innovation
- One Smiths
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
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 a diverse range of stakeholders and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Do you have a proven track record of creating engaging written and visual content for a variety of audiences?
ASSUMPTION: Smiths Group values employees who are customer-focused, innovative, and committed to delivering high-quality work in a collaborative and adaptable manner.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing the needs and expectations of various stakeholders
- Adapting to a dynamic and evolving work environment
- Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in B2B marketing communications
ASSUMPTION: As a mid-sized company operating in a competitive global market, Smiths Group requires employees to be adaptable, responsive, and proactive in addressing challenges and opportunities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Content Specialist vs. Content Manager: A Content Manager role may involve more strategic planning and team leadership, while a Content Specialist focuses on day-to-day content creation and execution
- B2B Marketing Communications vs. B2C Marketing Communications: B2B marketing communications often requires a stronger focus on technical writing and industry-specific content, while B2C marketing communications may be more consumer-focused and brand-centric
- Mid-sized company vs. Enterprise: Mid-sized companies like Smiths Group may offer more opportunities for growth and development, but may have less structured career paths than larger organizations
ASSUMPTION: While there may be similarities between this role and other content-focused positions, the specific requirements and context of this role make it unique within the broader marketing and communications landscape.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive content strategy for a new product launch, including whitepapers, blog posts, and case studies
- Creating a series of engaging social media posts and graphics to promote an upcoming industry event
- Managing a content calendar for a quarterly newsletter, ensuring a mix of informative, educational, and promotional content
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects and tasks associated with this role may vary depending on the department and team, but will likely involve a mix of creative and strategic content development and management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department?
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for John Crane and Smiths Detection?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Smiths Group support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a hybrid environment, and how does the company address them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and relevant questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company and its culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your writing and project management skills to discuss during the interview
- Research the company and its competitors to show your knowledge of the market and industry trends
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
