📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Community Marketing Senior Associate
🔹 Company: Wayfair
🔹 Location: Wilmette, IL
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (On-site Mon-Thu, Remote Fri)
🔹 Category: Retail & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 20, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site preferred)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing community marketing strategies to drive traffic to Wayfair's first large-format store in Wilmette, IL
- Collaborating cross-functionally with field and home office teams to deliver results against strategic objectives
- Proactively identifying and recommending local opportunities to drive business growth
- Managing in-store events, local partnerships, and social media strategies
- Analyzing data to forecast impact, manipulate results, and make strategic recommendations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit, with a focus on driving results and collaborating effectively within a matrixed environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Community Marketing Strategy: Develop and deliver community marketing roadmap, playbook, seasonal strategies, and execution. Proactively identify, vet, and recommend local opportunities that drive business objectives forward. Develop and execute local social media strategy and content calendar in partnership with home office channel leads. Analyze and recap activities, inclusive of results, learnings, strategic recommendations, customer feedback, etc.
✅ In-Store Programming: Partner with home office and local field management to develop an in-store event calendar that balances brand priorities with local community nuances. Provide on-location support to execute in-store events, property activations, installations, and ad hoc opportunities.
✅ Community Engagement: Identify and develop relationships with key community partners to generate awareness of Wayfair’s new store and suite of products. Source and strategically participate in local events to build Wayfair’s presence within the community. Plan and execute community outreach to drive awareness of key promotions and initiatives. Support local hiring initiatives and community outreach efforts.
✅ “Always On” Activities: Partner with home office marketing and creative teams to manage the store’s Instagram account, including capturing and posting content. Manage the store’s local online presence, including Google, Yelp, Bing listings, and website pages. Manage budget, report, and forecast. Manage inventory of in-store marketing materials. Support new store openings and ad hoc projects as required.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and balance the needs of various stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years in field marketing, experiential marketing, or communications; retail experience a plus
Required Skills:
- Proven success developing and executing community marketing strategies
- Excellent project and time management skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders
- Connection to local community and a pulse on what’s relevant for customers
- Excellent communication skills and comfort with media appearances, representing the brand, contacting community leaders, hosting events, etc.
- Ability to transport and set-up materials that support community activations
- Budget management and forecasting
Preferred Skills:
- Working knowledge of Google Suite tools (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Calendar) or its equivalent
- Working knowledge (or an appetite to learn) reporting tools like Looker
- Working knowledge of retail math and customer marketing metrics
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in community marketing and a proven track record of driving results are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $79,325 - $87,875 (USD) per year, depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
Benefits:
- Medical
- Financial
- Restricted Stock Units
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with schedule flexibility to attend on-site activations outside of core working hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The actual offer may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Wayfair is a leading online destination for the home, offering a wide and deep selection of items for every space, style, and budget. The company operates in a competitive e-commerce landscape, focusing on customer experience, technology, and creative problem-solving.
Company Size: Wayfair has 10,001+ employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Wayfair was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices and warehouses across the United States and internationally.
Company Description:
- Wayfair is committed to industry-leading technology and creative problem-solving to provide an unparalleled shopping experience for customers
- The company offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits to support employees' well-being and professional development
- Wayfair is an equal opportunity employer, valuing and relying on the collective voices of its employees, customers, community, and suppliers to build a better company and world for all
Company Specialties:
- E-Commerce
- Technology
- Online Retail
- Internet Marketing
- Software Engineering
- Customer Service
- Sales
- Inbound Sales
- Interior Design
- Engineering
- Talent Acquisition
- Data Analytics
Company Website: http://aboutwayfair.com/careers
ASSUMPTION: Wayfair's large employee base and diverse range of specialties offer numerous opportunities for collaboration, learning, and career growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring significant experience and expertise in community marketing and related fields.
Reporting Structure: The Community Marketing Senior Associate will report to the Home Office Physical Retail Marketing team in Boston and collaborate cross-functionally with field teams and other home office departments.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with employees expected to work on-site Monday through Thursday and have the option to work from home on Fridays, depending on in-store or off-site event schedules.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and responsibilities as the company grows and opens new stores
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from experienced professionals across various departments
- Possibility to transition into a management or leadership role as the company and team expand
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of career advancement and the impact the candidate can make on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Wayfair's Wilmette, IL office is a large-format store, serving as the company's first physical retail location in the area.
Office Location(s): Wilmette, IL
Geographic Context:
- Wilmette is a suburb of Chicago, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with a strong sense of community
- The area is home to a diverse range of residents, providing ample opportunities for community engagement and partnership
- The store's location in Wilmette allows it to serve a wide range of customers from the surrounding Chicago metropolitan area
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with schedule flexibility to attend on-site activations outside of core working hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible scheduling allow employees to balance their work and personal lives effectively.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with the director or senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Candidates' understanding of and alignment with Wayfair's brand and values
- Candidates' ability to develop and execute community marketing strategies that drive business growth
- Candidates' interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Candidates' ability to analyze data and make strategic recommendations based on their findings
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio or examples of your past community marketing campaigns and their results
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of the local community and how you plan to engage with it to drive business growth
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role
ATS Keywords: Community Marketing, Event Planning, Local Partnerships, Social Media Strategy, Data Analysis, Collaboration, Customer Engagement, Retail Marketing, Hybrid Work, On-Site Work, Community Engagement, Local Community, Data-Driven Decisions, Strategic Recommendations
ASSUMPTION: Wayfair's application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on driving results and collaboration.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Calendar)
- Looker (or similar reporting tools)
- Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Event planning and management software (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are industry-standard and widely used in marketing and retail settings.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsessed: We put our customers first in all that we do
- Inventive: We embrace a culture of innovation and continuous learning
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals
- Inclusive: We foster an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work
- Accountable: We take ownership of our responsibilities and deliver on our commitments
Work Style:
- Entrepreneurial: This role requires a high level of autonomy and self-motivation
- Data-driven: Decisions are informed by data and analysis, with a focus on driving results
- Collaborative: Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential for success in this role
- Flexible: The ability to adapt to changing priorities and work schedules is crucial
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Wayfair's customer-obsessed culture, and how have you demonstrated this in your past experiences?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in priorities or work schedule. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with key community partners, and how have you demonstrated this in your past experiences?
ASSUMPTION: Wayfair's company values and work style emphasize a customer-focused, data-driven, and collaborative approach to work, with a strong emphasis on accountability and innovation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, with a focus on driving results and meeting deadlines
- Balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including customers, community partners, and internal teams
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement, with a mix of on-site and remote work requirements
- Navigating the complexities of the retail industry and the competitive e-commerce landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as a high level of adaptability and resilience.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Community Marketing Manager (Retail) vs. Community Marketing Senior Associate: The Community Marketing Senior Associate role at Wayfair is more senior-level, requiring more experience and expertise in community marketing and related fields. The Community Marketing Manager role may have more focus on day-to-day management and execution, with less strategic responsibility.
- Community Marketing Manager (Retail) vs. Community Marketing Senior Associate (E-commerce): The Community Marketing Senior Associate role at Wayfair is focused on driving traffic to the company's first large-format store in Wilmette, IL, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and local partnerships. The Community Marketing Manager role in an e-commerce setting may have more focus on digital marketing and customer acquisition strategies.
- Community Marketing Senior Associate vs. Store Manager: The Community Marketing Senior Associate role at Wayfair is more focused on developing and executing community marketing strategies to drive traffic to the company's store. The Store Manager role may have more responsibility for day-to-day store operations, inventory management, and employee supervision.
ASSUMPTION: These roles share some similarities, but each has unique requirements and responsibilities that set it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a community marketing roadmap and playbook for Wayfair's first large-format store in Wilmette, IL
- Identifying and vetting local opportunities to drive business growth, including forecasting and analyzing their impact
- Planning and executing a grand opening event for Wayfair's new store, including local partnerships, media appearances, and community outreach
ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop and execute community marketing strategies that drive business growth and engage with the local community.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's long-term vision for its physical retail presence, and how this role fits into that strategy?
- How does the company support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in senior-level roles like this one?
- Can you provide an example of a successful community marketing campaign that the company has executed in the past, and what made it successful?
- How does the company measure the success of its community marketing efforts, and how are those metrics used to inform future strategies?
- Can you describe the company's approach to work-life balance, particularly for hybrid roles like this one?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the company's long-term vision, growth opportunities, and commitment to employee development and work-life balance.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio or examples of your past community marketing campaigns and their results
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of the local community and how you plan to engage with it to drive business growth
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
