Marketing Specialist in Ladson, South Carolina at Keel

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

As a Marketing Specialist at Keel, you'll help plan, coordinate and execute marketing initiatives that support our business, our brand and our people.

You'll work across the organization with Business Development, Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Human Resources, leadership and our production teams.

You'll also work with outside vendors and partners throughout the Charleston area.

One day you might be coordinating a trade show. The next, you might be working with a local photographer or printer. Later that afternoon, you could be walking through the plant photographing a piece of equipment or talking with an employee about an exciting project.

No two days will look exactly the same—and that's intentional.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

Manage Multiple Projects

• Manage multiple marketing projects simultaneously from concept through completion.
• Establish timelines, coordinate deadlines, track deliverables and keep stakeholders informed.
• Balance competing priorities while maintaining quality and attention to detail.
• Follow up on open items and keep projects moving without needing constant direction.
• Coordinate projects across multiple internal departments.
• Maintain organized project files, marketing assets, schedules and vendor information.

Coordinate Events & Experiences

• Plan and coordinate trade shows, conferences, customer visits, company events, employee events and other marketing activities.
• Coordinate event logistics, promotional materials, signage, shipping, vendors and on-site needs.
• Work with internal teams and outside partners to ensure events are professional and successful.
• Assist with event setup, execution and breakdown when needed.
• Capture photos and content during events for future marketing and communications.

Build Vendor Relationships

• Develop and maintain relationships with Charleston-area marketing, advertising, event and production vendors.
• Work with printers, promotional product suppliers, photographers, signage companies, media partners, event venues and other service providers.
• Obtain quotes, coordinate schedules, review proofs and manage vendor deliverables.
• Ensure vendors meet Keel's expectations for quality, timing and brand standards.
• Resolve issues and proactively communicate potential problems.

Capture the Keel Story

• Take professional-quality photographs and work with vendors on videos of Keel's people, equipment, facilities, events and manufacturing activities.
• Look for interesting stories and opportunities to showcase what our employees and teams are accomplishing.
• Build and maintain an organized library of photographs and digital assets.
• Create content for social media, the company website, presentations, internal communications and other marketing channels.
• Turn complex technical or manufacturing information into clear, interesting and engaging content.

Work Across Keel

• Build strong working relationships with employees and leaders throughout the organization.
• Work directly with production, engineering, operations, business development, program management and human resources.
• Learn enough about Keel's products, capabilities and manufacturing processes to tell authentic stories about our work.
• Help showcase the people, equipment, technology and capabilities that make Keel different.

Support Marketing & Business Development

• Create and coordinate presentations, sales sheets, brochures, digital communications and other marketing materials.
• Support business development initiatives with content, graphics, presentations and other resources.
• Support LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, email and website content.
• Assist with market and competitive research as needed.
• Maintain consistent Keel branding across marketing and communications.
• Support proposal and business development activities as needed.

Mission Readiness:

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in marketing, communications, event coordination, project coordination or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership and follow through.
• Ability to work effectively with employees and leaders at all levels of an organization.
• Strong relationship-building and vendor-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• Experience with social media platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in or supporting a manufacturing, industrial, defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, construction, engineering or technical environment.
• Existing familiarity with the Charleston, South Carolina business and vendor community.
• Previous experience working with Charleston-area marketing, event, advertising, printing, promotional product, photography or media vendors.
• Experience planning and executing trade shows, conferences, customer visits or company events.
• Strong photography and/or videography skills.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva or similar design tools.
• Experience creating content for websites, social media and digital communications.
• Experience translating technical or complex information into compelling stories.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel may be required for trade shows, conferences, customer visits, company events and other business activities.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to regularly walk through manufacturing and production environments.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events and while working throughout Keel facilities.
• Ability to safely navigate manufacturing environments while following required safety procedures and PPE requirements.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds at times, including marketing materials, event supplies and equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with production team members, leadership, vendors, customers and visitors.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email talent@keelusa.com with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.