Marketing Content Strategist

About the role

The Performance Coatings Group (PCG) Content Strategist is part of the PCG Creative Services team, supporting and collaborating with all industrial divisions and internal shared service teams to bring marketing concepts to life. This role operates as the lead content strategist and communications partner within the PCG Creative Services organization, connecting customer insights, business priorities, audience needs, and customer journeys to craft scalable content programs that drive commercial growth across a full funnel experience.

This position works closely with copywriters, designers, project managers, videographers, channel marketers, and division marketing teams to design content systems and strategies that support customer journeys while also taking an active role in writing and editing content for both internal and external audiences. The role requires up to 10% travel and is based at Sherwin-Williams Cleveland Global Headquarters in Cleveland, OH. This is not a remote or hybrid position.

This position is eligible for bonus, commissions, and long-term incentive compensation awards based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Creative Services team and internal division teams (e.g., marketing communications, sales, market segment directors, product marketing, R&D, Corporate Communications, executive leadership) to develop strategic content strategies aligned to customer journeys, personas, buying stages, and commercial priorities.
• Lead modular content strategy and messaging framework development, translating audience insights, customer journey needs, and business objectives into personalized, scalable content experiences across channels.
• Develop and manage integrated marketing content strategies across both digital and print channels, ensuring brand consistency, audience relevance, and business impact.
• Partner cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and product leaders to define messaging frameworks, content architectures, and customer journey strategies that build scalable content assets, balancing short-term marketing needs with long-term objectives around customer education, lead nurturing, digital discoverability, and sales enablement.
• Write and develop engaging and informative content adhering to AP style and brand guidelines for various audiences within PCG divisions across more than 40 business segments. Examples include:
  • Marketing materials such as brochures, sell sheets, print ads, trade show materials, taglines, banners, sales presentations, and direct mail.
  • Video script development and on-screen graphics, including technical and how-to demonstrations and customer interviews.
  • Digital storytelling, including website content optimized for SEO/GEO/AEO, social media (organic and paid), and Marketo emails.
  • Articles, case studies, white papers, and press releases.
• Serve as content and communications lead for select sales meetings and commercial initiatives, shaping narratives, executive messaging, presentation content, and supporting communications (e.g., pre- and post-event messaging, sales-facing communications) to drive clarity, alignment, and action.
• Act as a content thought leader, advising stakeholders on modern content approaches across earned, owned, and paid channels, storytelling techniques, and best practices to advance brand, product, and commercial priorities.
• Leverage emerging technologies (including AI-enabled tools) to improve content development, quality, workflow efficiency, and scalability while maintaining brand and quality standards.
• Edit and revise division marketing materials to ensure brand and copy guidelines are upheld; discuss recommended changes in content, style, organization, brand standards, and legal requirements with authors and stakeholders.
• Research the evolving performance coatings landscape, bringing forward innovative ideas and solutions aligned with PCG’s content, marketing, and sales enablement goals.
• Ideate and recommend measurement opportunities within cross-channel performance based on overall impact on reputation and applications.
• Participate in meetings and presentations to discuss marketing content performance, interpret data, and identify actionable plans based on findings.
• Maintain and update the PCG Copy Style Guide and lexicon annually.
• Identify and present new opportunities for marketing content to improve audience favorability.
• Lead or co-lead creative brainstorming, ideation, concepting, and critique meetings.
• Lead a creative content team of two specialists as part of PCG Creative Services across all online and offline content needs.
• Mentor and train the copywriting team on best practices across content, partner relations, and project management.
• Develop employees through experience, continuing education, and new content opportunities.
• Collaborate with Corporate, GAM, and PCG teams on content development for external-facing, enterprise-wide initiatives.

Requirements

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for an employment work visa now or in the future.
• Must be willing to travel up to 10% as required by the position.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Must have at least five (5) years of strategic content planning, content management, and writing experience in corporate or agency environments.
• Must have experience providing strategic content and messaging guidance to senior stakeholders, including marketing, sales, and executive leaders.
• Must have experience balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Must have experience learning new tools, including AI-assisted content or workflow technologies, to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Must have strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving, and communications skills.
• Must be trained in AP style.
• Must have experience in research, interviewing subject matter experts, and writing content tailored to target industrial audiences and business segments, with a portfolio of completed examples.
• Must have experience developing and working with content style guides.
• Must have experience balancing numerous projects while maintaining attention to detail, priorities, and deadlines.
• Must have experience giving presentations.
• Must have at least one (1) year of experience with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Must have experience working cross-functionally, especially across marketing, sales, product teams, and subject matter experts.
• Must have experience with web content, keyword placement, and SEO/GEO/AEO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or business.
• At least eight (8) years of strategic B2B content planning, content management, and writing experience in corporate or agency environments.
• Experience working with executives to create impactful presentations from a business perspective.
• A strong creative portfolio, available online.
• Experience leading integrated campaigns from concept to completion.
• At least three (3) years of experience in mentorship or leadership.
• Experience with Workfront or another project management platform.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suites/basic graphic design knowledge.
• Industrial coatings knowledge or experience.

About Us

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings, and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent, and passion make it possible to live this purpose and achieve great results for customers and our business.

Sherwin-Williams invests in its employees through rewards, benefits, and flexibility to enhance health and well-being, career growth, and connection with an inclusive team. Benefits may include retirement, healthcare, total well-being support, and commuter benefits. A general description of benefits can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/ (see "Candidates" for details).