Strategic Marketing Director

Strategic Marketing Director

Location: Wilmington, NC Anticipated Start Date: As Soon As Possible Position Type: Full-Time, In-Office Eligibility: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Full Transparency: We Work a Little Differently Around Here.

This isn't just another marketing leadership position.

At Protocase and 45Drives, we believe the best marketing starts long before a campaign is launched. It begins with curiosity. It begins with listening. It begins with asking better questions than anyone else.

We're looking for someone who doesn't simply execute strategy—they help create it.

If you're energized by innovation, love learning from customers, enjoy connecting ideas across engineering, sales, and leadership, and want a genuine opportunity to influence the direction of a growing technology company, this may be your dream role.

You'll have a seat at the table.

Not because of your title—but because of your ideas.

About Us

Protocase manufactures rapid custom sheet metal enclosures, panels, and parts for engineers around the world. 45Drives designs open-source enterprise storage and infrastructure solutions trusted by organizations across research, higher education, government, aerospace, defense, media, healthcare, and enterprise IT.

Together, we're building technologies that solve complex problems for customers around the globe.

As our Wilmington campus continues to grow, we're looking for leaders who aren't afraid to challenge conventional thinking and help shape what's next.

Learn more about our culture

👉 https://workdifferently.info/

Help Shape the Future

This is not a traditional project management role.

You won't spend your day tracking timelines or assigning tasks.

Instead, you'll spend your time discovering opportunities.

You'll meet with customers.

You'll ask questions.

You'll identify patterns.

You'll work alongside engineering, product development, sales, leadership, and marketing to turn customer insights into business strategy.

Some of your best ideas may become new products.

Others may redefine how we tell our story.

Either way, your influence will extend far beyond marketing.

What You'll Do

As our Strategic Marketing Director, you will

• Develop marketing strategies that support long-term business growth across Protocase and 45Drives.
• Build a deep understanding of our customers by actively engaging in customer conversations and uncovering unmet needs.
• Transform customer insights into product positioning, messaging, campaigns, and future opportunities.
• Identify emerging technologies, industries, and market trends that influence company strategy.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, engineering, sales, product development, and customer-facing teams.
• Challenge conventional thinking and encourage innovation across the organization.
• Guide strategic marketing initiatives while empowering your team to execute exceptional work.
• Strengthen our brand presence and help shape how customers experience both companies.
• Evaluate new ideas with equal parts creativity and business discipline.
• Foster a culture built on curiosity, continuous learning, experimentation, and measurable results.

Who You Are

You're someone who naturally asks

"What if?"

"Why?"

"What are we missing?"

You enjoy solving difficult problems and don't wait for someone else to hand you the answers.

You love talking with customers—not because you're selling, but because you're learning.

You thrive when you have the freedom to think strategically while remaining connected to the day-to-day realities of the business.

You're confident enough to challenge ideas and humble enough to seek feedback.

Most importantly, you enjoy helping others bring great ideas to life.

What We're Looking For

We're less interested in checking every box than finding someone with exceptional curiosity, strategic thinking, and a passion for innovation.

Experience that will help you succeed includes

• Strategic B2B marketing experience within technology, manufacturing, engineering, enterprise software, infrastructure, or other complex industries.
• Experience developing market positioning, product messaging, go-to-market strategies, and growth initiatives.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to connect customer needs with business opportunities.
• Outstanding communication and storytelling skills.
• The ability to simplify complex technical concepts into compelling customer value.
• Experience collaborating across multiple disciplines and influencing without relying solely on authority.
• A customer-first mindset and genuine interest in understanding how people solve problems.

A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Communications, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience will absolutely be considered.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role isn't measured by the number of campaigns you launch.

It's measured by the impact you have on the business.

You'll be successful when

• Customers influence our strategy because you took the time to truly listen.
• Marketing helps shape future products—not just promote existing ones.
• New ideas become opportunities.
• Teams seek your perspective because of your strategic thinking.
• Your work helps Protocase and 45Drives continue growing into globally recognized technology leaders.

Why You'll Love Working Here

💰 Competitive Compensation: $180,000–205,000 USD, including performance incentive compensation.

🚀 Influence: Help shape the direction of two growing global technology companies.

💡 Innovation: Work where curiosity, creativity, and experimentation are encouraged every day.

🤝 Collaboration: Partner directly with executives, engineers, product developers, sales professionals, and customers.

📈 Growth: Join a company that values learning, ownership, and continuous improvement.

🏥 Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and Group Insurance available after 60 days of full-time employment.

🏖 Paid Time Off: Two weeks of vacation to start, increasing with tenure.

🏋️ Wellness: Gym membership and wellness initiatives.

🎉 Culture: Team lunches, celebrations, and a workplace that genuinely enjoys working together.

🌊 Location: Build your career while enjoying everything Wilmington, North Carolina has to offer.

Ready to Build What's Next?

If you're looking for a traditional marketing leadership role, this probably isn't it.

If you're energized by innovation, inspired by customers, and excited about helping shape the future of growing technology companies, we'd love to meet you.

Bring your curiosity.

Bring your ideas.

We'll build the future together.