DTC Retail Marketing Intern

Are you passionate about sandals, boots, and everything in between? Do you live and breathe sustainability? Do you have a creative eye, a hunger to learn, and a KEEN interest in the outdoor industry? If you said yes to any of the above, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Position: DTC Retail Marketing Intern
Location: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site)
Duration: 10 weeks

Compensation: $20/hour
Program Duration: Monday, June 16th – Friday, August 22nd

 

What You'll Do:

As an Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands-on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN.

General Summary

We are seeking a motivated and creative Retail Marketing Intern to assist in creating and executing a dynamic summer activation calendar for our retail locations. In this role, you will help plan and execute key in-store marketing initiatives, with a focus on driving foot traffic, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting brand visibility. You will work closely with the Senior Retail Manager to develop a strategic and engaging series of activations and promotions that will engage our fans, strengthen brand presence, and increase sales throughout the summer months.

This internship will provide hands-on experience in planning large-scale marketing events, coordinating cross-functional teams, and tracking the success of your initiatives to continuously improve future campaigns.

 

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist in the creation of a comprehensive summer activation calendar, identifying key events, promotions, and activations to drive traffic to KEEN retail locations.
• Help develop and execute marketing strategies and campaigns to create buzz around in-store events and seasonal promotions.
• Collaborate with retail store managers and internal teams to ensure successful planning and execution of the activation calendar.
• Support the creation of promotional materials (in-store signage, displays, and geo-targeted emails and social posts) to amplify summer activations.
• Coordinate with external partners, such as vendors or influencers, to support events and activations.
• Track and report on the success of activations by measuring foot traffic, customer engagement, and sales impact.
• Assist in gathering fan feedback and analyzing data to assess the effectiveness of activations and provide insights for future campaigns.
• Brainstorm and develop new and creative ideas for marketing activations that align with KEEN’s brand values and customer interests.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with teams in I&E, KOL, and retail to ensure alignment across all touchpoints.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Marketing, Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives at once.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with a passion for retail and experiential marketing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor brands, retail experiences, and creating impactful customer interactions.

 

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking someone who embodies our passion for creativity, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Our ideal KEENtern is:

• Passionate: Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, committed to sustainability, or fascinated by footwear trends and innovation, you’re excited to engage with the world around you.
• Creatively Minded: You’re detail-oriented, love bringing fresh ideas to life, and have a knack for solving problems.
• A Strong Communicator: Whether it’s collaborating with a team or presenting ideas, you know how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
• Proactive & Eager to Learn: You’re curious, ready to ask questions, take initiative, and dive into new challenges with enthusiasm.

 

Why Intern with Us?

Being a KEENtern means you’re not just an intern—you’re a valued part of our KEEN community. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Meaningful Work: Tackle real-world projects that make an impact, gaining valuable hands-