📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Event and Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.
🔹 Location: Cambridge, MA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Retail & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Planning and executing innovative events and marketing strategies to engage the Harvard community
- Strengthening relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and local community through strategic initiatives
- Boosting brand visibility and promoting store offerings to increase foot traffic and sales
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to drive alignment, innovation, and business growth
- Analyzing event and marketing campaign effectiveness to drive informed decision-making
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. It is ideal for someone with a background in event planning, marketing, or a related field who is passionate about building community connections.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Conceptualize, plan, and execute trade book events such as author signings, book launches, panel discussions, and community gatherings
✅ Coordinate with authors, publishers, and other stakeholders to bring engaging and impactful events to the store
✅ Ensure the smooth execution of events, including logistics, setup, and onsite support
✅ Develop and maintain a dynamic and strategic events calendar to drive consistent store traffic and engagement
✅ Create and implement marketing campaigns to promote events and drive sales, including Grad Fair, sidewalk sales, and community events
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to produce store marketing materials, such as social media posts, in-store displays, and promotional signage
✅ Act as a representative of the Harvard COOP to strengthen relationships with local organizations, schools, and businesses
✅ Evaluate the effectiveness of events and marketing campaigns by rigorously tracking and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate event schedules.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience highly preferred
Experience: Experience in event planning and marketing, ideally in retail, publishing, or a related industry
Required Skills:
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building community connections
- Creativity and attention to detail in planning and promoting events
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for events
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with data analysis and reporting
- Fluency in Spanish or another language spoken in the local community
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with social media platforms are likely to be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing and events role in the Boston area)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on Barnes & Noble merchandise
- Tuition reimbursement for professional development
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Boston area. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates as a retail partner for colleges and universities, providing retail environments focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 1971
Company Description:
- Barnes & Noble College is a leading operator of college bookstores in the United States, serving nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide
- The company offers a retail environment uniquely focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education
- Barnes & Noble College is committed to delivering services and solutions that help colleges and universities meet and exceed their highest priority goals
Company Specialties:
- Campus bookstore management
- Digital learning
- Textbook rentals
- School spirit apparel
- New & used textbooks
- Convenience foods
- Cafes
- College auxiliary services
- Courseware
- Inclusive access
- And OER courseware
Company Website: http://www.bncollege.com
ASSUMPTION: Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. is a well-established company with a strong presence in the education sector. Applicants can expect a structured and professional work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Store Manager of the Harvard COOP
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Store Manager or Marketing Manager role within the company
- Expanding event planning and marketing skills through on-the-job training and professional development opportunities
- Gaining experience in a dynamic and high-traffic retail environment
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth within the company, as well as the chance to develop and refine event planning and marketing skills in a unique retail environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Historic and iconic retail and community hub serving Harvard University and the broader Cambridge area
Office Location(s): Harvard COOP, 1400 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Geographic Context:
- Cambridge is a city in Massachusetts, located just across the Charles River from Boston
- The city is home to two of the world's most prestigious universities, Harvard University and MIT
- Cambridge offers a vibrant and diverse community with a rich cultural scene
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events
ASSUMPTION: The Harvard COOP is a historic and iconic retail and community hub serving Harvard University and the broader Cambridge area. Applicants can expect a dynamic and fast-paced work environment with a strong focus on community engagement and customer service.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen to assess communication skills and cultural fit
- In-person or virtual interview with the Store Manager and/or other key stakeholders to discuss the role and company culture in more detail
- Final interview with the Store Manager to discuss the role and make a hiring decision
Key Assessment Areas:
- Event planning and execution skills
- Marketing and promotional strategies
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in event planning, marketing, or a related field
- Include specific examples of successful events or marketing campaigns you have planned and executed
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required and preferred qualifications for this role
- Prepare questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the role and company
ATS Keywords: Event Planning, Marketing, Community Engagement, Communication, Organizational Skills, Creativity, Data Analysis, Project Management
ASSUMPTION: Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application get noticed by the system and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Event planning software (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms is likely to be beneficial for this role. Experience with event planning software and data analysis tools is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on community engagement and customer service
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do I have strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively?
- Am I creative and detail-oriented in planning and promoting events?
- Am I comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for events?
- Do I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building community connections?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with the company's values and work style to ensure they are a good match for the role and company culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and events simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
- Working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate event schedules
- Navigating a dynamic and fast-paced retail environment with a strong focus on customer service
- Adapting to changes in event plans or marketing strategies due to unforeseen circumstances
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to manage multiple projects and events simultaneously, work flexible hours, and adapt to changes in event plans or marketing strategies as needed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in that it combines event planning and marketing within a retail environment focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education
- Similar roles may include Event Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, or Retail Marketing Manager, but this role is specific to the unique environment of a college bookstore
- Career progression in this role may lead to Store Manager or Marketing Manager positions within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on event planning and marketing within a college bookstore environment. Applicants should consider how their skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Planning and executing a successful author signing event, including coordinating with the author, publisher, and other stakeholders, promoting the event through marketing channels, and managing event logistics
- Developing and implementing a marketing campaign to promote a store-wide sidewalk sale, including creating promotional materials, coordinating with internal teams, and tracking campaign effectiveness
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a community event by analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) and using data-driven insights to inform future event planning and marketing strategies
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to provide specific examples of successful event planning and marketing projects they have completed in previous roles.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical event calendar for the Harvard COOP, and how this role will contribute to its development and maintenance?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams and stakeholders within the Harvard COOP and Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. to drive alignment, innovation, and business growth?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees, particularly in regards to flexible scheduling for events?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to these initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate their interest in the role and company, and to gain a better understanding of the company culture and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Barnes & Noble Education careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the required and preferred qualifications for this role
- Prepare for the interview by researching the company and role, and practicing common interview questions and your responses
- Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role
- If selected for the role, be prepared to provide references and complete a background check
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
