Sr Manager Brand Expression

Ulta Beauty, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Ulta Beauty in Chicago is seeking a Senior Manager, Creative - Brand Expression to lead copy and voice across campaigns, developing narratives from concept to execution. You will translate brand strategy into compelling headlines and guide writers while partnering with designers for a cohesive brand experience.

The role demands 8+ years in brand/editorial/copywriting and leadership of creative teams, with hybrid work and a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in brand, editorial, copywriting, or creative environments.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and manage teams internal and external.
• Degree in Journalism, English, or Creative Writing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead campaign copy, messaging direction, seasonal narratives, and editorial storytelling across the brand.
• Translate brand strategy, product stories, marketing goals, and guest insights into clear, compelling copy and actionable editorial direction.
• Lead and elevate copy across channels including internal presentations and brand communications.
• Build and maintain a consistent brand voice that is culturally relevant, ownable, and emotionally resonant.
• Identify and guide writers, freelancers, agencies, and partners when needed.
• Champion the brand voice and raise quality, consistency, and effectiveness of creative output.
• Move between concepting, copy direction, and hands‑on execution when needed.
• Collaborate with designers to ensure copy and visuals form a cohesive brand experience.
• Inspire a team, fostering strong conceptual thinking and excellence in execution.

Skills

Brand storytelling

Copywriting

Editorial direction

Team leadership

Education

Journalism

English

Creative Writing

Job description

OVERVIEW

Experience the possibilities of our progressive, omnichannel approach to beauty retail. At Ulta Beauty, our Marketing team is applying the latest technologies to personalize the buying experience of true beauty enthusiasts—in ways that surprise and delight. Building love and loyalty, one communication, one experience, one brilliant idea at a time. We represent the perfect blend of strategy and creativity. Of tactics and analytics. To make Ulta Beauty a brand guests will advocate for. Growing share of heart. Delivering with disciplined consistency. Whether your deepest passion is for design or content, strategy or data, or some combination of all things marketing, Ulta Beauty will provide significant latitude to explore your talents and passions, with opportunities to stretch and deepen, to grow and build. Truly, the possibilities are beautiful.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE

The Senior Manager, Creative - Brand Expression is a senior creative leader and close creative partner to Creative Leadership, helping shape how Ulta Beauty expresses itself through voice. They are deeply involved in the development of campaigns from the start, partnering in brainstorms, concept development, and creative exploration to turn brand and business strategy into compelling ideas, narratives, and campaigns. They lead campaign copy, messaging strategy, seasonal narratives, and brand storytelling across the business, including global considerations.

This role moves fluidly between concept and execution, from shaping the big idea, copy strategy, and narrative architecture of a campaign to writing a headline, refining a line, or guiding how the idea comes to life across channels. They connect the dots across campaigns, channels, and seasonal moments to build a distinctive, consistent brand voice that feels culturally relevant, emotionally resonant, and unmistakably Ulta.

Working within the broader creative direction established by Creative Leadership, this role leads the copy and voice point of view for their discipline. They bring an independent creative perspective to the work, challenge and elevate ideas, and provide clear direction to channel teams, agencies, writers, and creative partners. They are equally comfortable contributing to the thinking and rolling up their sleeves to help make the work happen.

The ideal candidate brings a deep passion for words, trends, and pop culture, especially in the beauty and wellness category, along with a strong understanding of brand voice, conceptual development, and creative execution. They are a collaborative and influential leader who can inspire teams, develop talent, and build strong partnerships across the organization while maintaining a high bar for creative quality and strategic integrity.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

• Lead campaign copy, messaging direction, seasonal narratives, and editorial storytelling across the brand
• Translate brand strategy, product stories, marketing goals, and guest insights into clear, compelling copy and actionable editorial direction
• Lead and elevate copy to be used across channels including internal presentations and other brand communications
• Build and maintain a consistent brand voice as the brand evolves, ensuring copy feels ownable, culturally relevant, and emotionally resonant
• Identify and help guide internal and external writers, freelancers, agencies, and partners when needed
• Champion the brand voice and help raise the overall quality, consistency, and effectiveness of the creative output
• Move fluidly between high-level concepting, copy direction, and hands‑on execution when needed
• Collaborate closely with designers and creative partners to ensure copy and visual expression work together as a cohesive, elevated brand experience
• Inspire a team, fostering strong conceptual thinking, creative ambition, and excellence in execution.

THE ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESS

• 8+ years of experience in brand, editorial, copywriting, or creative environments, with demonstrated leadership of writers, creative teams, or external partners. Retail, fashion, beauty, or publishing experience preferred.
• Experience leading, inspiring and managing teams, both internal and external.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize strategic messages into consumer-friendly concepts and copy
• Superior critical thinking and problem‑solving skills and a demonstrated ability to work with cross‑functional teams in marketing and merchandising organizations.
• Degree in Journalism, English, or Creative Writing preferred.
• #LI-JR1
• #LI-Hybrid

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well‑established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full‑service salon in every store featuring - hair, skin, brow, and make‑up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.

The pay range for this position is $106,000.00 - $145,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. 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. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta