Community Events Specialist

Location: Wilmette, Illinois, United States

Department: Physical Retail In-Store

Team: Physical Retail

About the Role

The Community Events Specialist role at Wayfair's Physical Retail In-Store department in Wilmette, Illinois, focuses on leveraging logistics and operations expertise to execute community-focused events that enhance brand visibility and drive store traffic. Reporting to the Sr. Manager of People Operations, this position involves leading event logistics from supplier demos to large gatherings, ensuring efficient staffing, and maintaining seamless in-store operations. It emphasizes warehouse-adjacent retail logistics, such as coordinating physical setups and merchandising to create inviting store environments. Key to this warehouse and logistics-oriented role is managing the end-to-end execution of events, including external community activations that align with Wayfair's supply chain strengths. The specialist supports broader operations by handling promotions, visual merchandising, and traffic-driving initiatives, owning the connection between Wayfair's operational capabilities and local customer experiences. This position offers a unique blend of event management and physical retail logistics in a fast-paced store setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead event execution from supplier demos to community gatherings
• Manage seamless logistics for in-store and external events
• Coordinate staffing for events and promotions
• Support in-store promotions and visual merchandising
• Drive customer traffic and local brand awareness
• Ensure store environment remains fresh and inviting
• Report to Sr. Manager of People Operations on event outcomes
• Handle logistics management for physical retail operations

Required Qualifications

• Experience in event planning and execution in retail or logistics environments
• Strong organizational skills for managing logistics and supplier coordination
• Ability to handle in-store operations and staffing for events
• Knowledge of physical retail store operations
• Customer service experience in high-traffic environments
• Proficiency in coordinating external community logistics
• Availability for flexible scheduling including events

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in warehouse-adjacent retail events
• Familiarity with Wayfair's supply chain and merchandising
• Background in people operations or store management

Required Skills

• Event planning and execution
• Logistics coordination
• Staffing management
• Customer engagement
• Visual merchandising
• Brand promotion
• Organizational skills
• Community outreach
• Supplier management
• Foot traffic analysis
• Store operations
• People operations support
• Time management
• Creative problem-solving

Benefits

• Competitive pay in dynamic retail environment
• Career growth in Wayfair's physical retail expansion
• Flexible scheduling with event-based opportunities
• Team support from People Operations
• Hands-on experience in community engagement
• Exposure to logistics and merchandising operations
• Wayfair employee perks including store discounts

Wayfair is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.