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The Event Content Manager drives the strategy and execution of Ace Hardware’s premier meetings and events. This role guides creative production and content development, including event themes, agendas, video and PowerPoint creation, visual identity, set design, speaker and entertainment selection, and overall planning. Collaborating with Executive Leadership, cross-functional teams, and agency partners, this role delivers events, content, and communications that align with business goals and engages Ace Retailers and Corporate Employees.

Responsibilities:

• Strategize, develop, and lead high-profile live and virtual company events, including General Sessions, Leadership Conferences, internal employee events, and Town Halls.

• Own end-to-end programming, from concept to execution, including agenda development, PowerPoint creation, video and content scripting, speaker sourcing, vendor coordination, and budget management to deliver “meeting excellence”.

• Partner with the Director of Events & Internal Communications, executive leadership, and key business partners to translate complex business objectives into impactful experiences for internal and external audiences.

• Manage and execute communications projects to support key business initiatives with responsibility for developing strategies and tactics to communicate to a broad range of internal audiences (retailer and employee).

• Work collaboratively with in-house teams: Communications, PR/Media Relations, Travel/Conventions Team, Indirect Procurement, Marketing/Sales, etc. to prepare and manage event communications and planning.

• Lead various aspects of event planning: speaker recruitment & management, vendor & speaker booking, budgeting, contract negotiation, meeting logistics, staffing coordination, presentation and materials support, on-site event management, and pre- & post-event communications, surveys and reporting.

• Maintain a master calendar of key events to ensure adequate planning and optimal scheduling; identify and manage conflicts and timing issues; create event timelines for everyone involved and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a job-related area

• Min 7 years of communications, marketing, public relations or event planning experience.

• Experience guiding strategy and overseeing execution of corporate communications.

• Thorough knowledge of corporate communication, marketing and branding principles.

• Knowledge of planning various types of events and professionally working with high-profile speakers, industry best-practices, and managing service providers, with a proven track record of producing high-quality events.

• Understanding of creative workflow process including project initiation and kickoff, execution, approvals, production, proofing, tracking and archiving.

• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to identify communication opportunities.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with keen eye for detail.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and leverage relationships; effectively influence and negotiate with internal partners.

• Understanding of design principles and ability to partner with and inspire artists and copywriters. Collaborative attitude.

• Experience with speech writing and speech coaching.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• High level of professionalism, maturity, emotional intelligence and relationship building skills.

• Willing and able to travel as needed for events, venue site visits, and video production shoots.

• Ability to work in-person at the Ace Corporate office at least three days a week and for priority meetings with key stakeholders.

Compensation Details:

$117900 - $147100 per year

Why should you join our team?

We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

In addition to providing our employees a great culture, Ace also offers competitive benefits* that address life’s necessities and perks, many of which expand and improve year after year, including:

• Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)

• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met). Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 9.6% of total eligible compensation

• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short-term disability and long-term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents

• 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire

• Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions

• Your career at Ace is more than just a job. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. We help locally-owned businesses thrive and make an impact in their communities – and we support our employees in doing the same by offering an annual Ace Cares Week, 20 hours off work per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice, opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation

• Ace invests in every employee we hire, with a key focus on development and coaching. We offer on-site classes, facilitator-led courses, and a generous tuition assistance program, plus a performance management approach that goes beyond the typical annual review

• We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales

• We bring them to you! Services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling and more!

• Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), travel, fitness, computers and thousands more

• Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off

• Adoption cost reimbursement

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events

• Identity theft protection

* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable plans and policies.

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We want to hear from you!

When most people think of career opportunities with Ace Hardware, they often think of the helpful cashiers and sales associates at their local store. However, have you also considered the people behind the scenes who select, promote, ship and process the invoices for more than 75,000 products? Maybe you haven't, but we'd like you to. Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Come find out why a career with the Ace Hardware Corporation is one of America's best kept secrets.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Disclaimer

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual’s education, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Ace position description for the accurate starting pay range information and feel free to discuss this with a Talent Acquisition professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview.

This written “Position Description” is not intended to cover all aspects of the position listed. It is meant to cover the basic/general essential job functions of a particular position. Ace Hardware Corporation reserves the right to change job duties, including essential job functions, according to business necessity.

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.