Role
Objective:
The
Director of Stores, as a leader of a client facing team, is responsible for the
management, growth and development of the Stella McCartney retail network
across North America. The Director of Stores, with strong commercial awareness
and entrepreneurial skills, will lead retail strategy and performance in the region,
driving our talent to continued success through their retailing activities and
ensuring a consistent Stella McCartney client experience is delivered across
our boutiques.
As
well as developing talent across our current teams, the Director of Stores will
partner their Store Managers in tailored retail strategies for their locations,
working closely with the other retail functions to maximise opportunities for
success, exceeding defined business targets, with given budgets.
Core Responsibilities:
Sales, Strategy &
Targets
·
Manage & coach Store Managers and teams to exceed set
sales targets.
·
Ensure a strong client base is developed and maintained.
·
Devise and execute strategies for sales generation in
order to meet annual targets.
·
Maintain awareness of local and luxury market trends,
monitoring local competition activity.
·
Initiating changes to improve the business to ensure
stores compete effectively in the local market.
·
Builds and maintains relationships with local & VIP
clients, working closely with Store Managers, PR, and Marketing & Events
teams to coordinate and maximise client reach.
·
Ensures Stella McCartney client experience is consistent
across network and the maintaining of standards.
·
Drives business through initiatives and CRM activities.
·
Collaborates with Buyer and Store Management to tailor
and influence product range and selection to maximise selling opportunities to
local clientele.
·
Analyses product performance with Buyer and Visual
Merchandiser to identify opportunities to drive performance and maximise sales.
·
Attend seasonal shows and collection presentations in
Europe to regroup with retail team to attain in-depth product knowledge and
awareness of new brand developments.
·
Ensure consistent message and regular updates of business
activities to influence sales.
·
Implements and monitors store KPIS.
Leadership & Team Development
·
Direct line management of Store Managers and Retail
Operations Manager, identifying opportunities for development and coaching
direct reports to full potential.
·
Inspires and motivates their direct reports to
successfully lead and develop their teams.
·
Acts as a role model and sets an exceptional example to
others.
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Creates a strong sense of team across the region by
encouraging cooperation and collaboration..
·
Identifies development opportunities across the retail
network and collaborates with relevant teams to devise and deliver impactful
training, such as client experience, product training or selling techniques.
·
Ensures teams are knowledgeable on product, brand values,
production techniques and market awareness.
·
Coaches all retail employees to meet brand expectations,
and implements development plans where necessary.
·
Displays exemplary client relationships and resolves
client situations diplomatically, when escalated.
·
Frequently visits the stores to ensure the maintenance of
the highest standards, and teams are operating at maximum ability, with strong
teamwork creating a successful store environment.
·
Encourage and foster cross selling across the retail
network.
·
Partner’s Human Resources to analyse talent and capitalise
on development opportunities.
·
Leads recruitment for Store teams and pulls together
effective teams for new store openings.
Please note the above tasks are to provide an indication of the expected
tasks but this list is not exhaustive of all activities. As this is a new role
and due to the nature of the role in supporting the structure, there will be
flexibility for additional tasks to be added to this list of duties.
·
Previous experience of leadership and development of
a retail network resulting in success
·
Prior experience of the luxury environment and
building client relationships
·
Ability to be flexible with regular travel and
occasional weekend or evening shifts
·
Experience of delivering & establishing high
standards of service & defining retail strategies
·
Highly organized and has strong attention to detail
·
Analytical and able to see the bigger picture from
data and sales reports
·
Is strategic and able to consider the wider long term
business impact of decisions
·
Highly motivated and is able to work independently or
as part of a team, leading others
·
A highly talented and creatively driven individual
with a successful performance record and a demonstrated ability to deliver
retail excellence
·
Personal style: high level of energy, creativity,
intellectual integrity, openness, directness and resiliency is essential.
·
Ability to quickly establish strong credibility with
team members and external resources
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The ability, drive and desire to deliver outstanding
results
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Confident strong leader, innovative with visionary
business sense and style
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Sound analytical and organisational skills
·
Fluent in English, other languages a plus