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Youth Nonprofit Thought Leadership Writer

$30 - $35/hr

This writer will partner closely with internal thought leaders and communications stakeholders to create high-quality thought leadership content, case studies, annual report content, and strategic ...

Vizient

AVP, Thought Leadership

Chicago, IL · On-site

$156K - $290K/yr

The thought leadership function at Kaufman Hall develops content on a wide range of healthcare ... Leading a team of writers/podcast editors and other content developers to ensure the development of ...

AirOps

Research & Thought Leadership Lead

New York, NY · On-site +1

You're not waiting for someone to tell you what stories to write, you're deeply curious and have a ... Turn insights and thought leadership content into cross-channel campaigns and brand awareness. Work ...

New

Cloudbeds

$140K - $160K/yr

How You'll Make an Impact: We're looking for a Global Thought Leadership Director to own the ... You write like someone who has actually been inside a hotel. You understand what RevPAR pressure ...

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How much do thought leadership writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for thought leadership writer in the United States is $24.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Thought Leadership Writer typically collaborate with subject matter experts and executives?

As a Thought Leadership Writer, you will regularly work with subject matter experts (SMEs) and executives to capture their insights and translate them into compelling content. This collaboration often involves conducting interviews, participating in brainstorming sessions, and reviewing drafts together to ensure accuracy and alignment with business goals. Building strong relationships and understanding your stakeholders’ communication styles are key to gathering nuanced perspectives. Clear communication and project management skills are essential, as you will often be coordinating feedback from multiple busy leaders within tight deadlines.

What is the difference between Thought Leadership Writer vs Content Writer?

AspectThought Leadership WriterContent Writer
Primary FocusCreating authoritative, innovative content that positions the individual or organization as an industry leaderProducing engaging, informative content for various purposes like marketing, blogs, or websites
CredentialsOften requires expertise in the industry, strong writing skills, and sometimes advanced degrees or certificationsTypically requires strong writing skills; formal credentials vary
Work EnvironmentUsually within corporate, consulting, or thought leadership agenciesWidely in marketing agencies, media companies, or in-house marketing teams

While both roles involve writing, Thought Leadership Writers focus on establishing authority and industry influence through strategic, high-level content. Content Writers produce a broader range of content aimed at engagement and information dissemination. The key difference lies in purpose and depth of expertise.

What is a Thought Leadership Writer?

A Thought Leadership Writer is a professional who creates content that showcases an individual’s or organization’s expertise and unique perspectives in their field. Their work includes articles, blogs, white papers, and speeches designed to position clients as industry leaders. They often collaborate closely with subject matter experts to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging, and influential content. The goal is to build credibility, foster trust, and drive conversations within a target audience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Thought Leadership Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Thought Leadership Writer, you need advanced writing and research skills, expertise in a relevant industry, and often a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems, SEO tools, and analytics platforms is typically required. Creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively with subject matter experts are essential soft skills. These capabilities are crucial for producing influential, insightful content that positions clients or organizations as industry leaders and drives engagement.
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Infographic showing various Thought Leadership Writer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,519 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Thought Leadership Writer/Copywriter

RS Hughes Co., Inc.

Carol Stream, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

R.S. Hughes rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 415 rated retail wholesalers

Job description

Founded in 1954, R.S. Hughes is a 100% employee-owned specialty distributor of adhesives, tapes and advanced materials. Our team provides deep technical expertise across the industries we serve, helping OEMs solve complex challenges from design through production.
What truly sets us apart is our culture. As an employee-owned company, every person here has a real stake in our success-and in yours. We're driven by a relentless commitment to serve our customers, support each other and do the right thing, always. If you're looking for a place where your work genuinely matters and ownership isn't just a title, you've found it.
We'd love for you to join The Team Behind Every Build.
Job Summary
The Thought Leadership Writer/Copywriter will be responsible for elevating the company's intellectual footprint. This individual will educate the market by addressing pressing industry issues, showcasing unique methodologies, and answering complex problems. This individual will also act as the bridge between internal subject matter experts (SMEs) and the outside world writing, editing, and developing concepts for marketing materials that connect with key audiences through multiple channels.
Specifically, this role will ideate and develop written materials, including long and short-form editorial and promotional content. It requires daily collaboration with our Marketing Team and cross-functionally to craft engaging messaging and produce thought leadership content that sparks interest and creates impact in the market. This individual is expected to proactively pitch story angles and content ideas, not solely execute against existing briefs. This role is expected to adhere to all company policies and safety protocols.
Core Responsibilities
  • Subject Matter Extraction: Conduct in-depth interviews with internal experts, distilling raw, highly technical ideas into clear, compelling, and accessible narratives
  • Content Ecosystem Consideration: Partner with Marketing and C ommunications eams to ensure pieces land effectively across various digital channels
  • Ghostwriting & Voice Matching: Write bylined articles, op-eds, white papers, and long-form LinkedIn posts on behalf of C-suite executives and senior leaders.
  • Research & Data Synthesis: Analyze market trends, survey data, and industry signals to support your arguments with credible evidence.
  • Interpret creative direction & adapt points from creative briefs into persuasive copy concepts.
  • Editorial Excellence: Maintain the highest standards of research, factchecking, narrative structure, and tone. Produce error-free content that adheres to the company's style guidelines.
  • Craft copy for product marketing campaigns that create opportunities & impact revenue.
  • Write and edit a variety of editorial, marketing and promotional material .
  • Organize & manage a high volume of collateral under tight deadlines.
  • Collaborate with team members cross-functional partners and leaders to develop a variety of content marketing materials.
  • Other job duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in content marketing or copywriting, preferably on the B2B side.
  • Must have a portfolio showcasing thought leadership writing samples.

What Success Looks Like in this Role
Success is measured not by lead generation directly, but by:
  • Consistency of publishing cadence against an editorial calendar
  • Visibility of brand in top-tier trade or business media aligned to core markets
  • Overall enhancement of company reputation
  • SME participation rate
  • Key metric measurement on executive and brand thought leadership posts

This role requires excellent writing and editing skills for both short- and long-form content, as well as expertise in developing customer-focused messaging that drives action. Proven experience working within an editorial process, ensuring content consistency and quality, and a strong understanding of content marketing principles and SEO best practices
Ability to collaborate on strategic content plans and demonstrate successful outcomes from content initiatives Additionally, strong project management skill with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Excellent collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams, and the ability to provide clear, constructive feedback to peers and stakeholders. Finally, strong adaptability and a willingness to learn new concepts and skills, with a commitment to supporting team efforts and contributing to shared goals.
Skills That Will Make You Successful
  • Fosters psychological safety: Understands how strong relational skills build trust and empower teams
  • Journalistic Curiosity: Thinks critically to challenge the status quo synthesizing information to present a provocative, fresh perspective
  • Adaptability: Easily and quickly pivots with new direction and/or expectations.
  • Proactive Ownership: Manages workload independently, anticipates needs, and brings solutions without waiting to be directed.
  • Accountability: Stands behind their work, acknowledges when something isn't landing, and iterates without ego.
  • Cross-Functional Relationship Building: Knows how to earn trust across leaders and within departments.
  • Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to define an argument, capturing and helping shape original industry perspectives.
  • Interviewing Skills: Ability to ask incisive questions to quickly grasp unfamiliar sectors and surface distinctive insights from busy executives.
  • Stakeholder Management: Comfort interacting with senior stakeholders, gracefully pushing back on ideas when needed, while maintaining trust
  • Long-form writing and editing experience, with an emphasis on B2B or professional services.
  • Social Media Writing: Proven ability to translate long-form ideas into concise, high-impact social copy across platforms, with a strong grasp of LinkedIn best practices for B2B audiences.
  • Editorial Planning: Experience managing and contributing to an editorial calendar, including pitching ideas, tracking deadlines, and maintaining a consistent publishing cadence across channels.

Our merit-based salary/bonus program offers exceptional growth opportunities. Target compensation range for this Exempt role is up to $74,000
This is a Full-Time position, eligible to participate in the Company's benefit plans including: Paid Time off; major medical, dental, vision; Company paid short-term and long-term disability; paid parental leave; various supplemental benefit plans; and 12% Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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