Manager, Associate Experience & Engagement

Build-A-Bear•St. Louis, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Associate Experience & Engagement leads the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of Build‑A‑Bear’s associate experience across the full employee lifecycle. This role ensures associates feel informed, supported, connected, and valued from onboarding through offboarding. Partnering closely with HR, Field Operations, Communications, and business leaders, the Manager drives engagement, culture, and experience programs that strengthen retention and reinforce Build‑A‑Bear’s values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field
5+ years of experience in HR, employee engagement, communications, or people‑focused roles
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering employee experience or engagement programs
Strong communication skills with the ability to craft clear, compelling messaging
Experience partnering across HR, Operations, and business leaders
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives
High attention to detail, organization, and follow‑through
Ability to navigate sensitive situations with discretion, empathy, and professionalism

Nice To Haves

Experience with engagement platforms, HRIS systems, or survey tools; retail industry experience a plus
Experience developing manager‑facing resources or training
Experience with internal communications or change management

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of associate experience programs, including onboarding, engagement, recognition, communications, and culture‑building initiatives.
Manage the end‑to‑end onboarding experience, ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery across HR, IT, Operations, and hiring managers; maintain Day 1 readiness, orientation content, and new hire resources.
Oversee associate engagement strategies, including surveys, pulse checks, feedback channels, and action planning; analyze results and partner with leaders to drive meaningful improvements.
Develop and maintain associate‑facing communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with company values; manage intranet content, handbooks, and experience guides.
Support culture and recognition programs, including company events, celebrations, and initiatives that reinforce belonging and organizational values.
Identify experience gaps and lead continuous improvement, streamlining processes, reducing friction, and enhancing clarity across the associate lifecycle.
Partner with HR Business Partners and cross‑functional teams to ensure policies, processes, and communications are associate‑centric, compliant, and easy to navigate.
Provide tools, resources, and training for managers to strengthen leadership capability and ensure consistent associate experiences across the organization.
Track and report on associate experience metrics, including engagement, retention, onboarding effectiveness, and feedback trends; use insights to recommend strategic improvements.
Serve as a trusted advisor and escalation point for associate experience matters across the organization.
Other responsibilities as needed.