Events and Community Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Local Eclectic

Local Eclectic is a Chicago-based fine jewelry company operating five proprietary brands (Family Gold, For You With Love, Harvest Moon, Carried Jewels, Period Piece), with wholesale partnerships including Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Free People. We're expanding beyond e-commerce with a flagship retail store and café opening at 212 E. Ontario in downtown Chicago — adding an in-person, high-touch dimension to a highly engaged, authentic customer base.

We're looking for someone who can bring the brand to life IRL — through unforgettable events, a thriving community, and a social presence that makes people feel like they belong.

We're hiring an Events & Community Manager to own the full spectrum of Local Eclectic's real-world brand presence — from ticketed and paid marketing events to grassroots community engagement to the social channels that connect it all. This is a builder role for someone who is equal parts creative producer, community organizer, and relentless doer. You'll be one of the key people turning Local Eclectic from a brand people shop into a brand people show up for.

Events & Activations

• Plan, budget, and execute paid marketing events, brand activations, trunk shows and community events
• Lead planning and programming for events at our new flagship store and café at 212 E. Ontario
• Manage event logistics end-to-end from budgets, timelines, staffing, run-of-show, and post-event recaps
• Identify and pursue partnership, sponsorship, and collaboration opportunities that expand reach and align with brand values

Space Rentals

• Own inbound space rental inquiries for the flagship, from first contact through signed agreement — vetting requests and negotiating terms
• Partner with the GM and Retail Director to oversee day-of execution for rentals
• Own booking targets for the space rental channel and report on performance against goal

Community

• Build and nurture an active, engaged community of customers, jewelry collectors, and brand fans through in person community events that bring the neighborhood, Chicago and visitors to our beautiful city together
• Develop community programs (VIP experiences, ambassador/loyalty initiatives, in-store gatherings, trunk shows and more) that deepen loyalty and repeat engagement
• Serve as a visible, on-the-ground presence for the brand — showing up, building relationships, and representing Local Eclectic authentically

Social & Content

• Manage day-to-day social community engagement — comments, DMs, UGC, and real-time interaction across platforms
• Partner with marketing and creative to ensure events and community moments are captured and translated into social content
• Engage with and tap content creators as it relates to events and community partnerships
• Track community sentiment and surface insights back to the broader team and CEO

• 3+ years of experience in events, community management, or experiential marketing (fashion, jewelry, beauty, or lifestyle brands a plus)
• A proven track record of planning and executing paid, ticketed, or sponsored events from concept to completion as well as VIP events and day of event operations
• Space rental management or hospitality experience
• Strong social media fluency and hands-on community management experience
• Excellent organizational skills — you can juggle multiple events and vendors without dropping a ball
• A scrappy, tireless, whatever-it-takes work ethic; comfortable wearing many hats at a growing company
• Warm, outgoing, natural relationship-builder energy — you genuinely like people and it shows
• Willingness to work some evenings/weekends around events, especially during the holidays
• Based in or able to work on-site in Chicago

• Experience opening or supporting a retail flagship or physical brand location
• Existing relationships with Chicago event venues, vendors, or media/influencer community
• Background in jewelry, fashion, or direct-to-consumer retail