Marketing Intern

Are you interested in becoming Ace helpful?

Ace has been named a Top Workplace in Chicago and we’re looking for the best people to help us fulfill our vision of being the best, most helpful hardware stores on the planet. We’re focused on the future, looking for new and better ways to compete in today’s marketplace. At Ace, we like to say that we have a soft heart, a steel spine — and we like to win. People are the foundation of what makes Ace great, and we’re always looking for ways to improve the employment experience for Ace team members. What we can promise you is that you will gain a sense of accountability and ownership by working hard to build Ace’s continued success, and your own. You’ll enjoy a competitive, fast-paced and friendly work environment. And, you’ll take pride in serving our Ace retail stores and their customers in neighborhoods across the country and around the world.

2022 Summer Internship Program

The Ace Internship program allows you to apply skills and knowledge you're learning in College today, while contributing in a hands-on environment to fit your career objectives, complement your academic work and enhance your learning. Here’s what you will take away from your experience this summer:

• Real hands-on experience in your assigned department/function with day-to-day projects, responsibilities, accountabilities and deadlines. 
• Opportunity to partner with other interns over the summer on a Capstone project, presenting your findings and recommendations to Ace’s Leadership Q & A with Ace’s CEO and Senior Leadership team 
• Resume Workshop to help you prepare for future opportunities 
• Opportunity to volunteer through the Ace Hardware Foundation 
• Team building activities and more.

Your internship experience at Ace will give you the knowledge and skills future employers will look for! Want to hear more? Please review our Glassdoor comments from former interns!

Your Responsibilities:

Your primary focus as a Integrated Marketing Intern will be in the following areas:

Brand Engagement

Ace delivers a unique brand message that combines the three key values of service, convenience and quality. We differentiate in the market by illustrating to our consumer that our associates are knowledgeable, our stores are closer and faster, and we have quality brands and differentiated products that we stand behind.

• Work with the Category Marketing teams to assist with marketing planning and execution on Famous For 4 categories: BBQ, Power, Paint, and Home Preservation
• Drive brand awareness through content development and social media initiatives

National Promotions

As part of our annual marketing plan, Ace will coordinate the national planning, ordering and execution of 4 consumer experience driven national events and 10 national sales.

• Review and contribute creative feedback on print ads and promotional offers 
• Drive planning and execution of the consumer experience driven national events 
• Participate in creating promotional strategies for key categories & brands

Local Marketing

Drive best practices, brand consistency, speed to market and customization that makes each individual store stronger in their local market.

• Develop hyper local media assets (print ads, digital, email, social, direct mail) 
• Enhance retailer best practices guide (social media & turnkey in-store events) 
• Plan and execute grand opening celebrations

The ideal intern will possess the following:

• Working towards a bachelor’s degree in the following area(s): Marketing and/or Business Administration 
• Entering Senior year of college 
• Solid understanding of key financials and operations of a small business 
• Retail/customer service experience (Sales, visual merchandising, retail pricing a plus) 
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel Power Point) 
• Strong oral and written communication skills 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Adaptability and ability to learn quickly in high-pressure environments 
• Ambitious self-starter who has demonstrated the ability to contribute as an effective team member 
• Excellent time management and organizational skills 
• Demonstrated motivation and initiative to succeed 
• Knowledge and interest in Ace Hardware Corporation 
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday for 12 weeks 
• Willingness and ability to give presentations to colleagues, managers and directors