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-class commercial and residential customer experience.

Why Guitar Center? Here’s just some of the rewards:

For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave—take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Guitar Center offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options.

Pay Rate: $116,200- $150,000 depending on background and experience. 

This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance. The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by calling 1‐818-735-8800 ext. 2862 or by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.

Why Join Us?

With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music.

Love this gig and want to apply?

Send your resume and cover letter today along with salary expectations!

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.