Cdi - Director Visual Merchandising Emea (F/H)

The Director of VM will provide tactical and strategic support focusing on the needs of the region, adapting global guidelines to best support the region and market nuances.

The Director will be responsible for overseeing the display standards, creative installations, analyzing business needs by market and store, managing the VM budget for region, and local creative production needs of all locations within the region. Be able to interpret a creative brief and execute to a high standard at the same time offering ideas to evolve to market needs. Work on the creative implementation of all in-store activations and out-of-home events based within the region. Creating feedback to HQ on any strategic and non-strategic information or ideas.

**Communication and Execution**
- Partner with the HQ team on the successful order and execution of windows, vitrines, in-store displays and caseline presentations. At the same time evolving and expanding upon tools provided to offer regional specific ideas to support needs of business. Ensure product selection is best suited for regional and market nuances.
- Be a key point person for the VM network for any regional based in-store activations and out-of-home events. Working within a budget to ensure proper execution within given time frame.
- Cross-functional collaboration with regional stakeholders from merchandising to marketing to store planning is key, ensuring product launches, new store openings and activations are executed to brand standard and drive the business.
- Provide regular feedback to the HQ team on any strategic ideas or information to grow the business within the region.

**Training and Development**
- Manage and develop an effective and responsive VM team within region.
- Mentor and monitor VM team members to ensure creative standards and operational effectiveness is being delivered across region.
- Educate/support the market VM leaders to ensure they work with the visual partners in region to ensure that current caseline merchandising/creative presentations are to standard. This includes partnership with regional/market leadership to ensure that the teams are making decisions from a business point of view not only creative.
- Conduct annual performance reviews.

**Operations**
- Management of department expense and capital expense budget, working closely with regional and market stakeholders.
- Ensure a regional T&E travel strategy that offers regional coverage where current projects are maintained at all times.
- Lead vendor management initiatives, including sourcing new vendors and maintaining, vetting existing network and partnering with procurement and finance on projects, where appropriate.
- Support cross-functional partners to ensure successful new store openings, minor works projects, HQ and regional initiatives and other activities that impact the in-store experience.

**Operations**
- Management of department expense and capital expense budget, working closely with regional and market stakeholders.
- Ensure a regional T&E travel strategy that offers regional coverage where current projects are maintained at all times.
- Lead vendor management initiatives, including sourcing new vendors and maintaining, vetting existing network and partnering with procurement and finance on projects, where appropriate.
- Support cross-functional partners to ensure successful new store openings, minor works projects, HQ and regional initiatives and other activities that impact the in-store experience.

**Presentation**

Responsible for the overall appearance of the stores within each region. Give appropriate feedback to Store Design or the Central Creative Team any regional issues with new store openings or interior décor. Work closely with store directors and regional PR and Marketing Teams to ensure the store environment and VM component are always of the highest standard.

**Profile**:
Required:

- 10 years management experience in merchandising, visual display, styling, or related areas - preferably luxury retail. Including the management of a sizable field team.
- Experience of both jewelry and non-jewelry visual merchandising
- Organized with experience with managing a regional budget and spend.
- History of analyzing regional business reports and floor maps to ensure business needs are met.
- Ambitious, flexible, innovative, strategic & enthusiastic. Excellent communication skills with a comfort level in communicating with all levels of global corporate leadership.
- Ability to work with a variety of disciplines and personalities within a range of departments such as Retail, Creative & VM, PR, and Support Functions
- Able to take creative direction, evolve/elevate and then execute to a very high standard.

Preferred:

- Fluent in French
- Experience with editorial styling.
- Vocal with the ability to present ideas and information in a group situation.
- Knowledge of local vendor sources for display supplies, hardware, props, furniture, & flowers.
- Network