Senior Manager, Retail Communications

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Senior Manager of Retail Communications will define how Guitar Center connects, informs, and inspires our field teams. You’ll set the vision and strategy for communications that empowers 300+ stores to deliver amazing customer experiences, translating enterprise priorities into clear, actionable messages that drive engagement and execution.

 

Through close partnership with cross-functional teams including Retail Operations, Marketing, HR, Merchandising, and Executive Leadership, this leader will design and deliver communication strategies that enhance alignment, engagement, and the overall in-store experience.

 

What you will do:

 

Lead the Strategy

• Own the vision for how Guitar Center communicates with our store teams by building a best-in-class communication strategy that drives clarity, consistency, and connection.
• Partner with Retail Leadership to establish the tone and cadence for how our brand communicates with the field.
• Champion a culture of open, two-way communication that keeps store teams informed, empowered, and inspired.
• Build and maintain communication governance, editorial calendars, and standards that raise the bar on quality and impact.

 

Bring Clarity to Complexity

• Turn big ideas into action by translating business strategies, product launches, and operational updates into clear, compelling messages that motivate store teams.
• Create communication tools that make execution seamless, including playbooks, toolkits, FAQs, and SOPs that support every associate’s success.
• Ensure every message promotes readiness, confidence, and excellence on the sales floor.

 

Guide Change with Confidence

• Lead the communication approach for major enterprise changes such as technology implementations and organizational transformations.
• Serve as a trusted voice during times of change or crisis by partnering with HR, Legal, and leadership to communicate with empathy, clarity, and consistency.

 

Listen, Measure, and Improve

• Build listening channels that keep you connected to field insights and feedback.
• Measure key metrics such as readership, engagement, and execution rates, and use the results to continuously refine communication effectiveness.

Qualifications

What you’ll bring:

Required:

• 4+ years of experience in field or internal communications within multi-unit retail or a complex, fast-paced organization.
• A proven track record of developing and leading impactful communication strategies.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to simplify complex ideas.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of frontline retail operations.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects, teams, and budgets.

 

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or Business.
• Experience with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Poppulo, Staffbase, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with Retail Zipline or other field communication platforms.
• Passion for creating structure from complexity and building scalable communication systems.

 

 

About Guitar Center

The Guitar Center Company embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. Our mission is to develop and nurture lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the joy that comes from creating music. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.

The Guitar Center Company operates through several business divisions. Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment, with more than 290 stores across the United States.  2014 marked the milestone 50th anniversary of the Guitar Center Company as the organization continues to help people make music from coast to coast.   

E-Commerce brands Guitar Center, Musician's Friend and WWBW offer online sales of a broad selection of music products. The Music & Arts division operates more than 220 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students since 1952. AVDG and GCPro headline the enterprise audio-visual integration business, delivering a best-in-c