Communications & Events Intern – Summer 2025, Full Time (Paid/13 Weeks); HYBRID

Compensation Details:

$22.00 per hour

Why should you join our team?

We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

Job Description:

About this Role:
If you have a passion for Communications and Events, a curious mind and a helpful spirit, join us in Summer 2025!

As the Communications and Events Intern, you will support several key projects in the Corporate Communications department, allowing you to get hands-on experience with editorial and creative content development and event management.

What You’ll Do:

• Write and edit intranet articles, landing pages, email newsletters and more communication outlets for a range of the Corporate Communication department’s key audiences including retailers, corporate and warehouse employees
• Brainstorm creative campaigns and new ways to communicate initiatives to retailers
• Collaborate with other departments to develop and execute integrated communication and marketing plans for corporate projects and events
• Video project ideation and script writing
• Measure intranet readership metrics, interpret results and make recommendations
• Support planning efforts for a variety of corporate events including quarterly Leadership Meetings and Ace’s Fall Convention General Session (keynote event)
• Research keynote speakers, entertainment and other potential talent for events
• Partner with event vendors, including creative production agencies and AV companies
• Support event project management needs, including developing PowerPoint presentations, meeting agendas, recaps, submitting and tracking invoices, project status reports and timelines
• Compile and organize graphic and image assets
   

Qualifications:

• Working toward a bachelor’s degree as a rising senior or graduating senior
• Coursework and/or work experience in any of the following areas is preferred: strategic communication, marketing, journalism and events
• Strong writing and editing skills; knowledge of AP Style a plus
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to organize complex topics into clear and concise language

• Organizational skills and the ability to balance and adapt to new assignments and deadlines
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams
• Strong research skills
• Demonstrated creative thinker
• Self-starter who takes initiative to identify areas of opportunity and takes action
• Proficient in MS Office with high abilities in PowerPoint

Why Ace?

Ace Hardware (headquartered in Oak Brook, IL) is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated stores in approximately 60 countries.  Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks.

Ace has retained its #5 position in the annual Franchise Times Top 400 List in 2023.  Unmatched customer service is a cornerstone of the Ace Hardware brand. We are a 100-year-old retailer that supports its owners with programs that leverage their local expertise, giving them a distinct advantage over their big box competitors and has resulted in Ace retailers being named by JD Powers #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retailers, 16 out of 18 years.  The Helpful Spirit transcends the enterprise with Ace Hardware Corporation consistently ranking amongst the top workplaces in Chicagoland.

Location Description
Ace Hardware corporate headquarters is about 20 miles west of Chicago and you’ll get the very best of city and suburban life – prestigious shopping, dining, recreation, performing arts and historical neighborhoods. Our brand new corporate facility opened in September 2023 and has state of the amenities such as a work-out facility, underground parking and upscale cafeteria.  We work in the office the majority of the week and enjoy everything our new facility has to offer together as a team.

2025 Summer Internship Program Overview

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:

• Real hands-on experience in your assigned department/function with day-to-day projects, responsibilities,