Media Relations and Content Strategy Manager at Wheels, Inc. – Schaumburg, Illinois

Wheels, Inc.

Location: Schaumburg, IL | Alpharetta, GA
Posted on: Posted Today
Time Type: Full time
Requisition ID: R5173

Job Description:

The Media Relations and Content Strategy Manager is responsible 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 media, preferably in B2B and/or professional services
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field
• Demonstrated results in growing content engagement, increasing earned media placements and in consistent delivery of thought leadership content aligned to, and consistently delivering thought leadership content aligned with priority services and markets

CORE VALUES

At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth.

• Integrity – Always act with integrity and honesty.
• One Team – Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference.
• Innovation – Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking.
• Customer Success – Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

At Wheels, our culture guides us how we work every day, and we look for team members who show these behaviors:

• Discipline Drives Quality – Plan the Trip: Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.
• Intellectually Curious – Fuel Your Minds: Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.
• Commit and Deliver – Own It: Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.
• Relationships Matter – Share the Ride: Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work Environment: This is a hybrid position (3 days onsite - Tue-Thu) and can be in either, Alpharetta, GA or Schaumburg, IL and operates in a professional office environment.
• Position Type: This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday.
• Travel: Minimal travel might be required.
• Physical Demands: Sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Reach above head to pull paper attachments.

DISCLAIMER

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.

Our Benefits

Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care. Please click here for an overview of the benefits available to you and your family.

Pay Range:

$105,400-$147,500

The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

EEO Statement
Wheels is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening.

Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.

Wheels Is Committed to Making Our Organization One of the Best Places to Work

As one of the largest fleet management companies in North America, Wheels features a portfolio of 900,000+ vehicles under management across the continent, a global alliance in 61 countries, and a client base that consists of some of the best-known businesses in the world. No matter the industry type or business size, we’re proud to work across sales and service fleets, trucks and equipment, and last mile delivery to ensure we power your potential.

The culture at Wheels is the secret to our 80+ years of success. And the reason people choose to join — and stay with — our team.

When you join the team, you'll work with professionals who are passionate, friendly and smart. We foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, combined with the encouragement to continuously learn and grow. From day one, we invest in your long-term development through annual performance goals and reviews, educational and wellness programs, awards and celebrations, and more.

Ready to experience the Wheels culture for yourself?

• 10 years average employee tenure

• 10 times recognized as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

• 50+ health, wellness and engagement benefits

• 2,500+ online learning programs

Wheels is Invested in the Well-being of the Community and the World We Inhabit

Diversity: Wheels deeply values the strength of diversity both in the communities we serve and our own employee base. This includes treating everyone as equal, respecting and valuing diversity, providing equal opportunity and fostering a safe space to work.

Community: We are heavily involved in the communities where we operate. We offer opportunities for employees to make a positive impact through mentorship and tutoring elementary school students, participating in blood drives, donating to United Way and other charitable organizations in the greater Chicagoland and Toronto areas.

Sustainability: Wheels is actively committed to becoming a cleaner fleet management company through recycling programs, public transportation support and more.

We Are Dedicated to the Safety and Health of our Employees

Our employees are critical to delivering on our commitment to client success, which is why we offer a variety of programs focused on the health and wellness of our people.

Wheels Fosters More Than Just Work Relationships

We hire people who have a customer-focused mindset and a strong collaborative nature. Because at Wheels, customer service and teamwork don't just happen in the office. It is during the informal moments when employee trust is strengthened and friendships are made. We value these moments, which is why we host departmental contests, summer gatherings, family events, holiday celebrations and more.

At Wheels, your well-being is our priority. As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we’re proud to offer access to the Advocate Health Care Wellness Portal—a personalized platform designed to help you take charge of your health journey.

The 2026 Wellness Program is designed to support you in achieving your personal health goals. Best of all, it’s flexible and fits into your busy lifestyle.

This program is designed to support your overall well-being—physically, emotionally, and financially—by providing tools and incentives that encourage healthy living.