Sr Manager Strategic Field Partnerships & Analytics

Ulta Beauty, Inc. • Bolingbrook, IL

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. With new stores coming online on a continual basis and the re-engineering of existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences, we’re not just growing, we’re thriving. Through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to reimagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.
THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE
The Senior Manager, Strategic Field Brand Partnerships & Performance is a leadership role accountable for the enterprise strategy, governance, and execution of Ulta Beauty’s field-based brand partnerships, lifestyle events, and experiential programs. This role owns national-scale initiatives that directly influence revenue growth, guest experience, brand equity, and operational consistency across all Ulta Beauty stores.
Reporting to the Director of National Events and Experiences, this position functions as the architect and owner of the operating model for field brand partnerships and lifestyle events. The Senior Manager leads end-to-end program lifecycle management, including strategic design, budgeting, forecasting, execution governance, visual standards, capability-building workshops, and performance optimization. Partnering closely with senior merchants, brand founders, presidents, and cross-functional executives, this role ensures all programs are scalable, measurable, and financially disciplined.
The ideal candidate will possess exceptional verbal communication, written communication, and presentation skills, with a proven history of managing multiple projects simultaneously, influencing teams, and driving successful results in a retail, operational, or service-related industry.
The Senior Manager serves as an enterprise leader responsible for the strategy, governance, and optimization of Ulta Beauty’s national field brand partnership and lifestyle event portfolio. Operating at the intersection of brand strategy, experiential program management, and performance analytics, this role works closely with brand founders, senior merchants, and executive leadership to shape how brands show up in store and how experiences drive measurable business results.
This position owns the full lifecycle of national event and brand programs, from concept and operating design through execution, measurement, and continuous improvement. The role is accountable for ensuring initiatives are operationally sound, visually consistent, demand-driven, and scalable across the fleet.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail, brand partnerships, or marketing strategy with a strong emphasis on strategic growth and in-store brand building.
• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise-wide growth programs that drive measurable retail performance and brand equity.
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior merchants, brand founders, and multi-level leadership to influence strategic direction and operational outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging data to drive actionable insights and optimize multi-channel retail initiatives.
• Experience leading and developing teams, fostering strategic capabilities and cross-functional collaboration.
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing (or related field), or relevant professional experience.
• 15+ years of event planning, field sales and/or brand partner management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Superior presentation skills, both virtually and in person.
• Proven organizational skills with the analytical ability to problem-solve, multi-task, and prioritize effectively.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and drive to manage a heavy workload continuously and proactively.
• Expert proficiency in data visualization and analytical tools (Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, Tableau, Monday.com etc.) to inform strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with all key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to perform in a deadline-driven and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays up to 50% or as required.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-level brand strategies and lifestyle event programs that drive comp performance, loyalty growth, retail attachment, and guest conversion.
• Drive accountability for achieving event sales targets by leveraging field-informed insights and optimizing key performance metrics
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with merchants, brand leaders, and field executives to align growth priorities and maximize brand presence in stores
• Oversee the development and delivery of brand performance reporting, ensuring actionable insights inform strategic decisions for both internal stakeholders and external brand partners.
• Develop and operationalize field strategies that unlock new brand support opportunities and drive sustainable in-store growth.
• Identify capability gaps and partner with stakeholders to strengthen brand field teams, supporting long-term development and high-impact execution in stores.
• Facilitate senior-level brand roundtables and business reviews to align cross-functional leaders on strategic priorities, performance goals, and future-facing initiatives.
• Establish a framework for strategic brand engagement, ensuring consistent, high-value touchpoints that build long-term partnerships and fuel continuous performance improvement.
• Drive event sales to budget through effective event performance, including metrics such as conversion, loyalty, AT, and UPT, etc.
• Own end-to-end lifecycle management of Ulta Beauty’s lifestyle and experiential event portfolio, including strategy, budgeting, governance, and measurement.
• Serve as a strategic voice in cross-functional planning forums to ensure alignment of event plans with Ulta’s strategic priorities.
• Attract, develop, and retain a high-performing, diverse team, cultivating leadership talent and building a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Coach and empower team members to lead with strategic intent, fostering continuous growth and driving ownership of cross-functional initiatives
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to concept, develop, and optimize event programs and sales-driving initiatives that scale across the organization.
• Act as a senior strategic liaison between Ulta Beauty field leadership and brand field teams, ensuring unified direction, effective communication, and seamless collaboration
• Champion internal alignment across brand and field teams, guiding the integration of feedback and ensuring programs reflect the needs of both brand partners and field operations.
• Shape the strategy and evolution of brand education tools, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver elevated guest experience through consistent field execution
• Host and lead quarterly brand partner leadership summits, aligning SVPs, RVPs, and executive stakeholders on growth strategies, performance insights, and future planning
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to strengthen team engagement and brand representation.
• Lead change management efforts to support teams through strategic pivots and evolving execution models.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and brand partners, influencing decisions that drive enterprise growth.
• Lead the evolution of brand partnership processes, identifying and implementing enterprise-level improvements that enhance store standards, operational efficiency, and guest experience.
• Oversee the strategic communication process for brand events and initiatives, ensuring clarity, timeliness, and alignment across internal teams and external partners
• Provide strategic oversight and guidance to senior leadership through tailored communications, event performance updates, and market-driven insights.
• Develop and scale frameworks and materials for executive briefings, leadership meetings, and business partner sessions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and responsiveness to change.
• Monitor competitive trends and market insights to proactively shape brand strategies and drive continuous innovation across field activations
• Lead change management efforts to support brand partners through strategic pivots, business transformation, and evolving field execution models
• Steer strategic communication with brand partners, ensuring alignment of business priorities, event execution, and mutual growth objectives.
• Oversee governance and optimization of the brand event portal, ensuring it serves as a central, secure, and efficient resource for brand engagement and planning
• Direct weekly event performance communications and feedback synthesis, ensuring visibility, accountability, and timely insights across both internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the development, governance, and continuous improvement of Ulta Beauty’s national Event Visual Toolkit across all stores.
• Establish and enforce visual standards, asset frameworks, refresh cadence, and execution guidelines for all event programs.
• Develop scalable frameworks for brand engagement, performance updates, and post-event analysis.

Benefits

• Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
• Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager