Manager of Store Experience & Marketing

"At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive."

Position Purpose

Responsible to drive in partnership with marketing the overall store experience and channel marketing of our stores through industry leading service initiatives, targeted marketing strategies, in-store events/activations, and the planning and execution grand openings and grand re-openings. The role acts as the strategic liaison between the store’s division and marketing while being a key member of the stores division leadership team driving amazing experiences, traffic, new buyers and retail store growth. This home office-based role requires a dynamic individual with a strong background in store experience, retail marketing and event management that is capable of developing and implementing effective innovative and creatively compelling strategies to enhance customer engagement, drive an extraordinary selling culture, attract new buyers, expand into new markets and drive conversion.

This position is based in and sits in our beautiful HQ located in Freeport, Maine and is not a remote role.

Responsibilities

In-Store Events & Activations

• Plan and oversee the execution of in-store events aimed at attracting and engaging customers at our Flagship Campus and across the regional store footprint (ie Freeport Concert Series, Summer in the Park, Northern Lights)
• Coordinate with district and store managers to ensure events are effectively promoted and seamlessly integrated into store operations while achieving budget targets.
• Measure and analyze the success of events, making recommendations for future improvements.

New Store Openings, Grand Re-openings & Store Awareness

• Lead the planning and execution of all new store openings and grand re-openings.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to build excitement and awareness around new and remodeled stores.
• Develops and leads in partnership with marketing on-going efforts that sustains traffic and awareness in year two and beyond maintaining YOY annual growth.
• Works closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations and visual merchandising, to ensure successful store launches.

Marketing

• In partnership with Marketing and Creative to develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns to drive retail traffic and boost sales through traffic + conversion.
• Collaboratively create and manage channel specific promotional activities, special offers, and loyalty programs.
• Collaborate with the marketing and direct mail / catalog team to design compelling advertising and digital marketing content tailored to new markets and buyer segments while leveraging mobile selling and pop up opportunities when appropriate.
• Assist and support marketing analytics team in market research and analysis to understand consumer trends and preferences to inform experience strategies, marketing plans, promotions and traffic driving initiatives.

Traffic Analysis and Reporting

• Monitor and analyze retail traffic patterns and customer behaviors.
• Provide regular reports on traffic trends and the effectiveness of marketing and promotional activities.
• Use data insights to refine and optimize marketing strategies.

Store Experience

• Assist in creation, training, and launch of immersive selling initiative elevating in-store customer experience to extraordinary level.
• Partner with Home Office, Field Leaders and Learning & Communications to develop compelling product knowledge programs and initiatives that combine exceptional knowledge with selling expertise.

Budgeting & Expense Management

• Effectively develops and manages the budget that supports store experience, marketing, openings and events.
• Drives for high levels of productivity and efficiency to achieve goals and ROI of programs.

Proven Leadership and Development Experience

• Models L.L.Bean’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring practices.
• Fosters an inclusive work environment by seeking team members’ perspectives, actively listening to others' opinions and experiences, and modeling and encouraging respectful communication among the team.
• Works collaboratively and respectfully with team members and customers from different backgrounds and cultures.

Health and Safety Requirement
Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Education Level: 4-Year Bachelors Degree

Years of Experience: 5 years plus

Skills and Qualifications

• Lives within a commutable distance to Freeport Maine for this in-office role based in our HQ in Freeport, Maine.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of experience
• Experience with retail marketing events and/or store experience
• Experience in a retail company or setting
• Has experience recruiting, implementing, and practicing diversity, equity and inclusion in their store environment.
• Demonstrated capacity for collaborative work in a retail environment, is adept at serving customers from diverse backgrounds.

"If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!   At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us.  We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability."