About West Marine We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations. We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo. We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you. So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pure pursuit of more water and less hassle. If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 220 Stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community. Job Summary The Training & Communications Specialist will drive Crew Member engagement and learning by blending innovative instructional design and strategic internal communication programs. This role partners with cross-functional teams to design impactful training materials and internal messaging, fostering a culture of excellence aligned with West Marine’s key initiatives, values, and mission. Primary Responsibilities Internal Communications + Develop and execute internal communication strategies to support Crew Member engagement and organizational goals. + Create content for weekly messages to stores, intranet updates, executive messages, and other communication channels. + Serve as an internal communications expert, advising teams on effective approaches to reach diverse audiences. Training Development & Delivery + Partner with subject matter experts to identify training needs and learning objectives. + Design and develop engaging instructional materials such as e-learning courses, videos, manuals, and job aids + Leverage adult learning principles to create effective content that optimizes knowledge transfer. + Continuously refine training programs based on feedback and evolving organizational needs. + Evaluate program effectiveness by measuring ROI and tracking training outcomes. Program Alignment & Collaboration + Align training and communication plans with broader business and branding strategies. + Act as a liaison between Store Operations and other departments to ensure cohesive messaging and training delivery. Education, Experience, Technical Skills Education & Experience + Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Instructional Design, or a related field preferred; exceptional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree + 4+ years in internal communications and/or instructional design, preferably within retail, hospitality, or related industries. + Boating, fishing, or water sports industry familiarity. Technical Skills + Proficiency in course authoring tools (e.g., Articulate, TechSmith, Vyond). + Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (including SharePoint), and Adobe Creative Cloud + Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g. Axonify), graphic design principles, and basic HTML. + Familiarity with communication tools (e.g. Zebra Reflexis) + Overall strong writing and editing skills across multiple media formats.