POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT (defines the major functions/purpose of the position)

The Director Visual Merchandising is responsible for articulating and executing creative vision, visual window concepts and installations for boutiques and showrooms ensuring a stimulating environment that enhances the customer store experience and promotes brand consistency.

This role is responsible for elevating brand awareness and positioning through unique and inspiring visual display and creative elements for window interiors and client facing spaces. Success here will be measured by increased traffic in our retail shops and positive reception in our market appointments.

The Director works closely with the corporate retail and marketing teams. This role directly supervises the visual merchandising staff to assure the visual presentation is consistent with the corporate message. The Visual Director leads by example; ensuring all members of the visual team (corporate and field) are aligned to the larger strategic goals of the organization around elevating and engaging current and future clients.
The Director trains and collaborates with international and wholesale teams on merchandising standards; creating global brand consistency for trade shows and client events.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Sets direction and design of all visual merchandising and display presentations of boutique interiors and exterior window environments to drive Brand awareness, traffic and conversion.
• Designs, develops and presents seasonal window concepts and interior display elements for approval to EVP-Chief Merchant in line with quarterly and annual budgets.
• Initiates merchandising techniques for Visual Merchandising Directives and sets timeline for completion and execution.
• Designs and orchestrates direction for in-store events, showroom set up and other corporate initiatives.
• Creates seasonal merchandising visualization plans and directives for all product launches; including fixtures, and window displays across all formats.
• Institutes visual merchandising standards and best practices.
• Communicates effectively and with a global perspective; develops and maintains professional relationships with internal and external business partners and vendors.
• Provides and ensures that a high standard of creativity and execution is consistently delivered to all internal and external clients.
• Operates with a global, strategic and tactical perspective in setting and achieving expectations.
• Promotes and cultivates strong interpersonal relationships through effective communication and collaboration, from a strategic global perspective.
• Manages corporate and field visual team, including Regional Visual Managers and corporate based visual team.
• Partners with Merchandising, Marketing, and Buying to ensure brand consistency while addressing product assortment variances.
• Builds constructive and effective relationships with industry vendors.
• Collaborates with international and wholesale partners on visual initiatives.
• Provides training and visual direction to Retail, International and Wholesale partners.
• Creates and maintains visual travel and visual retail yearly budget.
• Collaborates with Merchandising and Marketing to adapt seasonal advertising campaigns for use in boutiques (i.e. Light boxes and framed photography).
• Directs and Manages new store opening visual merchandising process.
• Partners with Store Construction making recommendations on store fixturing and layout and on production of visual displays.
• Collaborates with Event Planning to visually support event initiatives.
• Collaborates with EVP-Chief Merchant on showroom sales meeting presentations.
• Partners with Human Resources regarding personnel: recruiting, hiring, training, succession planning, employee relations, staffing requirements, work environment, etc.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBLITIES:
• Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management
• Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance
• Ability to work varied hours, nights, days and weekends to support the business needs
• Some domestic and International travel; approximately (10%) percent of time

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Adheres to all Company Policies & Procedures and Safety Regulations
• Adhere to local, state and federal laws

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Directly manages the Visual Merchandising Team.
• Provides coaching, direction, develops and empowers direct reports
• Ensures work flow and processes function to maximum efficiencies for business necessity and
within fiscal budget.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
• Interacts with all levels throughout organization including employees as well as outside vendors


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The following are the minimum qualifications needed in order to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

COMPETENCIES:
• Creative Innovator
• Strong Executor
• Extremely Organized
• Adaptable
• Embraces Change
• Demonstrates Initiative
• Strong Communicator
• Detail and Results Oriented
• Strong Time Management Skills
• Decisive
• Strong Leadership Skills
• Motivator and Teamwork focused

Education/Experience:
• 10- 20 years relevant experience in a multi-unit retail luxury environment
• Degree preferred in Visual Merchandising/Interior Design/Fashion Merchandising
• Competent Microsoft program user with Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Proficient in Mac programs
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift
• Ability to climb ladders or stairs
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with employees and customers
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms