🔹 Job Title: Director of Marketing
🔹 Company: CTS Corporation
🔹 Location: Lisle, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing/Corporate Leadership
CTS Corporation is seeking a Director of Corporate Marketing to lead the global marketing strategy for a $550 million manufacturer focused on growth. This senior leadership position will oversee a team of two and be responsible for product marketing, digital marketing, content creation, brand management, and internal messaging. The role reports directly to the Vice President of Corporate Development and Marketing, working closely with sales and product management VPs across CTS' business units to translate complex technical solutions into compelling commercial narratives.
ASSUMPTION: The job category is listed as "Marketing/Corporate Leadership" based on the seniority of the role and its positioning within the corporate structure. The job type is assumed to be full-time given the level of responsibility and lack of indication that it's part-time or contract.
✅ Manage the communication calendar and schedule product messages via email (Pardot), social (LinkedIn), and other sales channels to specific target segments
✅ Lead content development by writing and editing materials including articles, presentations, white papers, videos, and technical collateral
✅ Develop and implement a new SEO strategy to raise CTS product awareness
✅ Leverage digital media strategies (email automation, social media, content management systems) to influence target audiences
✅ Create and execute email marketing content for lead generation and prospect nurturing within Pardot and Salesforce
✅ Own the social media calendar, including content ideas and graphic development
✅ Analyze marketing data, determine conclusions, and problem-solve to improve external communications efforts and KPIs
✅ Prepare reports on marketing efforts and adjust strategies accordingly
✅ Stay current on best practices and emerging trends in external communications
✅ Ensure the newly launched CTS website has ongoing new technical content designed for SEO that drives leads to the sales teams
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, engineering, management, or a related field; MBA preferred
Experience: 10+ years of experience in a marketing role, ideally including engineering or technical manufacturing organizations
Skills:
Salary Range: Not specified
Benefits: Not specified
Industry Comparison: Director-level marketing positions in the manufacturing sector in the Chicago metropolitan area typically offer competitive compensation packages reflective of the senior leadership responsibilities.
ASSUMPTION: While specific compensation details are not provided, marketing director roles in the manufacturing sector in the Chicago area typically range from $150,000-$200,000 annually plus benefits, based on industry standards for a $550 million company. This is a general industry estimate only.
Industry Position: CTS is a $550 million corporation that designs and manufactures electronic components, actuators, and sensors for OEMs in the automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial, and computer markets.
Company Size: 4,000+ employees
Company Stage: Established manufacturer (founded in 1896) with global operations across North America, Europe, and Asia
Career Level: Senior leadership/Director level
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Vice President of Corporate Development and Marketing
Team Size/Composition: Leads a direct team of two marketing professionals
Growth Opportunities: Potential path to VP level marketing positions, with exposure to cross-functional leadership across global business units
ASSUMPTION: Growth opportunities are inferred based on the senior nature of the role and the company's global presence. The leadership experience gained would likely position candidates well for future VP-level roles either within CTS or at similar manufacturing organizations.
Office Type: Not explicitly specified, likely in-office or hybrid given the collaborative nature described
Geographic Context: Located in Lisle, IL, which is part of the western Chicago suburbs with good access to the metropolitan area
Work Schedule: Not specified, likely standard business hours with potential flexibility
Regional Considerations: Chicago area is a major manufacturing hub with strong transportation infrastructure; winter weather considerations apply
ASSUMPTION: While the work arrangement is not explicitly stated, the collaborative nature of the role and interactions with cross-functional teams suggest at least some in-office presence would be expected. The Chicago area offers a high concentration of manufacturing companies, potentially providing good industry networking opportunities.
Typical Process: For director-level marketing positions, expect multiple rounds including initial screening, panel interviews with marketing leadership, and possibly presentations of marketing plans or case studies
Key Assessment Areas: Strategic marketing vision, leadership abilities, technical marketing knowledge, content development skills, analytical capabilities, cross-functional collaboration experience
Application Tips: Highlight experience with technical product marketing, CRM/marketing automation tools (especially Pardot/Salesforce), SEO strategy implementation, and content development for technical audiences
ATS Keywords: Pardot, Salesforce, SEO, B2B marketing, technical marketing, content strategy, Adobe Creative Suite, manufacturing, digital marketing, marketing automation, lead generation
ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard practices for director-level marketing positions in manufacturing industries and the specific requirements mentioned in the listing.
ASSUMPTION: While specific SEO and CMS tools aren't named, proficiency with standard industry tools such as SEMrush, Ahrefs, WordPress, or similar platforms would likely be valuable based on the responsibilities.
Company Values: Focus on innovation, technical excellence, and growth in specialized markets
Work Style: Collaborative cross-functional environment requiring strong relationship-building skills with technical teams (engineers, product managers)
Self-Assessment: Candidates should consider:
ASSUMPTION: These cultural elements are inferred from the company description, the cross-functional nature of the role, and the technical focus of the products. The company appears to value both technical expertise and effective communication/marketing skills.
The role requires balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, as the director will lead a small team (two direct reports) while also being expected to create content and manage campaigns directly. This suggests a need for both leadership abilities and willingness to be directly involved in tactical execution.
The position requires translating complex technical products into compelling marketing materials, which demands both technical understanding and strong communication skills - a combination that can be challenging to find.
Working across multiple business units and with various stakeholders (sales, product management, engineers) will require strong relationship management and influencing skills without direct authority.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inferred based on the team size, breadth of responsibilities, and cross-functional nature described in the job listing.
This Director of Marketing role differs from typical marketing director positions in its focus on technical B2B marketing within manufacturing. Unlike consumer-focused marketing roles, this position requires deep understanding of technical products and B2B sales cycles.
Compared to marketing director roles at larger corporations, this position appears more hands-on, requiring both strategic leadership and direct execution of marketing tactics with a small team.
The role shares similarities with Content Marketing Directors and Technical Marketing Directors in other industries, but with specific focus on manufacturing and industrial contexts.
ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry patterns for director-level marketing positions across manufacturing and B2B sectors.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative examples based on the responsibilities outlined in the job description and represent typical initiatives for this type of role.
ASSUMPTION: These questions are suggested based on the role description and industry context, and should be adapted based on the specific interview situation and the applicant's particular interests.
⚠️ This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience with technical B2B marketing, content development, SEO strategy, and Pardot/Salesforce expertise.
2. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect key keywords from the job description, as the company actively uses this platform and will likely review your presence there.
3. Prepare portfolio examples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex technical products into compelling marketing narratives.
4. Research CTS Corporation's products and markets through their website and industry publications to demonstrate knowledge of their business during interviews.
5. Be prepared to discuss specific marketing campaigns you've led that drove measurable business results, particularly in technical B2B contexts.
6. Consider how your experience aligns with the specific industries CTS serves (automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial, and computer markets).
7. Note that the company specifically states they do not accept agency submissions or unsolicited resumes, so apply directly through their official channels.