Marketing Activation Intern

Are you passionate about sandals, boots, and everything in between? Do you live and breathe sustainability? Do you have a creative eye, a hunger to learn, and a KEEN interest in the outdoor industry? If you said yes to any of the above, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Position: Marketing Activation Intern
Location: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site)
Duration: 10 weeks
Compensation: $22/hour
Program Duration: Monday, June 15th – Friday, August 21st

What You'll Do

As an Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands-on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN.

The Marketing Activation Intern aids in the development of trail running strategies and playbooks to grow the brand, sell thru product, and reach business objectives by supporting the U.S. marketing team and larger trail running team. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Support the U.S. trail running marketing strategy by partnering closely with the U.S. Marketing Activation manager and larger trail running team.   
• Plan and execute local community events and marketing activations with run clubs, at trail races and run specialty retailers. 
• Create engagement strategies for trail runners across IRL, digital, social, and wholesale channels.  
• Support the KEEN trail running ambassador program. 
• Conduct competitor research and analysis and provide reporting on trail running throughout various marketing channels. 
• Coordinate product seeding. 
• Develop content strategy around trail running events and activations.  

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking someone who embodies our passion for creativity, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Our ideal KEENtern is:

• Passionate: Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, committed to sustainability, or fascinated by footwear trends and innovation, you’re excited to engage with the world around you.
• Creatively Minded: You’re detail-oriented, love bringing fresh ideas to life, and have a knack for solving problems.
• A Strong Communicator: Whether it’s collaborating with a team or presenting ideas, you know how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
• Proactive & Eager to Learn: You’re curious, ready to ask questions, take initiative, and dive into new challenges with enthusiasm.

Why Intern with Us?

Being a KEENtern means you’re not just an intern—you’re a valued part of our KEEN community. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Meaningful Work: Tackle real-world projects that make an impact, gaining valuable hands-on experience at a globally recognized brand.
• Collaborative Environment: Partner with talented teammates and work on in a group project with other KEENterns.
• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with industry experts and mentors who can help shape your career.
• Perks & Benefits: Enjoy product discounts, a subsidized cafeteria, and an inspiring workspace.
• Outdoor Adventures: Immerse yourself in Portland – a vibrant city nestled between the mountains and the coast – a hub for all things outdoors, such as hiking, biking, rafting, camping, and climbing.

Program Requirements:

To qualify for this internship, you must:

• Be a Junior, Senior, or Graduate student working toward a degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. 
• Commit to a 10-week program from mid-June through mid-August 
• Dedicate 40 hours per week during standard M-F, PST working hours 
• All roles are located in Portland, OR. Must be able to move to Portland during the duration of the internship if you are not already living here. 
• Plan no more than four total days of vacation during the internship 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint 
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new software and tools. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. 
• Strong attention to detail in preparation of presentations, reports, and materials. 
• Ability to occasionally work nights and/or weekends throughout the duration of the internship, as determined by the activation calendar.  
• Interest or experience in running preferred.  
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate with a team. 
• Comfortable sitting at a desk and using a computer for extended periods of time. 
• Knowledge of the footwear industry, fashion trends, and consumer insights is a plus. 

Travel Requirement: Occasional travel in and around the larger Portland area to support activations.  

Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to take your passions to the next level and be part of a world-class team, please apply.

Other Requirements

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Fuerst Group, KEEN and Chrome are equal opportunity employers.  We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.