Marketing Internship Summer 2026, Full Time / Paid / 12 Weeks

Ace Hardware 2026 Summer Internship Program

Compensation Details : $22.00

Why Should You Join Our Team? We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don't often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

Job Description

Brand Engagement

Ace delivers a unique brand message that combines the three key values of service, convenience and quality. We differentiate in the market by illustrating to our consumer that our associates are knowledgeable, our stores are closer and faster, and we have quality brands and differentiated products that we stand behind.

Work with the Category Marketing team to assist with marketing planning and execution on Famous For 4 categories : BBQ, Power, Paint, and Home Preservation

Drive brand awareness through content development and social media initiatives

National Promotions

As part of our annual marketing plan, Ace will coordinate the national planning, ordering and execution of 4 consumer experience driven national events and 10 national sales.

Review and contribute creative feedback on print ads and promotional offers

Drive planning and execution of the consumer experience driven national events

Participate in creating promotional strategies for key categories & brands

Local Marketing

Drive best practices, brand consistency, speed to market and customization that make each individual store stronger in their local market.

Develop hyper local media assets (print ads, digital, email, social, direct mail)

Enhance retailer best practices guide (social media & turnkey in-store events)

Plan and execute grand opening celebrations

The Ideal Intern Will Possess The Following :

Working towards a bachelor's degree in the following area(s) : Marketing and / or Business Administration

Entering Senior year of college (Graduating Dec '26 or May '27)

Solid understanding of key financials and operations of a small business

Retail / customer service experience (Sales, visual merchandising, retail pricing a plus)

Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel Power Point)

Strong oral and written communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Adaptability and ability to learn quickly in high-pressure environments

Ambitious self-starter who has demonstrated the ability to contribute as an effective team member

Excellent time management and organizational skills

Demonstrated motivation and initiative to succeed

Knowledge and interest in Ace Hardware Corporation

Ability to work 40 hours per week, Monday -Friday for 12 weeks

Willingness and ability to give presentations to colleagues, managers and directors

Why Ace?

Ace Hardware (headquartered in Oak Brook, IL) is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated stores in approximately 60 countries. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks. Ace has retained its #5 position in the annual Franchise Times Top 400 List in 2023. Unmatched customer service is a cornerstone of the Ace Hardware brand. We are a 100-year-old retailer that supports its owners with programs that leverage their local expertise, giving them a distinct advantage over their big box competitors and has resulted in Ace retailers being named by J.D. Power #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retailers, 16 out of 18 years. The Helpful Spirit transcends the enterprise with Ace Hardware Corporation consistently ranking amongst the top workplaces in Chicagoland.

Location Description

Ace Hardware corporate headquarters is about 20 miles west of Chicago and you'll get the very best of city and suburban life prestigious shopping, dining, recreation, performing arts and historical neighborhoods. Our brand-new corporate facility opened in September 2023 and has state of the amenities such as a work-out facility, underground parking and upscale cafeteria. We work in the office the majority of the week and enjoy everything our new facility has to offer together as a team.

2026 Summer Internship Program Overview

The Ace Internship program allows you to apply skills and knowledge you're learning in college today, while contributing in a hands-on environment to fit your career objectives, complement your academic work and enhance your learning. Here's what you will take away from your experience :

Real hands-on experience in your assigned department / function with day-to-day projects, responsibilities, accountabilities and deadlines.

Opportunity to display your skills during your "Final Pitch" presentation

Q & A with Ace's CEO and Senior Leadership team

Resume Workshop to help you prepare for future opportunities

Opportunity to volunteer through the Ace Hardware Foundation

Teambuilding activities

Hourly competitive compensation

12-week full time program

Your internship experience at Ace will give you the knowledge and skills future employers will look for!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state / local laws.

Disclaimer

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual's education, training and experience, the position's work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires. Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Ace position description for the accurate starting pay range information and feel free to discuss this with a Talent Acquisition professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview. This written "Position Description" is not intended to cover all aspects of the position listed. It is meant to cover the basic / general essential job functions of a particular position. Ace Hardware Corporation reserves the right to change job duties, including essential job functions, according to business necessity. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitln Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com .