Associate Director, Global Visual Merchandising

The position will report to the Director, Global Visual Merchandising.

Role Overview

This role will support the Global Visual Merchandising team, reporting to the Director, Global Visual Merchandising. This individual is expected to develop and lead the maintenance of our Global Visual Merchandising initiatives aligned with our forward-thinking brand goals. They will partner closely with the Global Creative team, Global Consumer Engagement, and regional VM partners to consistently elevate our in-store presence. 

This individual must be a self-starter with deep knowledge of Visual Merchandising best practices and brand storytelling and be able to introduce and execute design ideas as the Sol de Janeiro business grows. They will be a critical liaison for our regional teams, ensuring all projects are in line with the Global brand vision while maintaining open and strong lines of communication with team members. They must also have a keen understanding of the importance of messaging hierarchies to ensure the consumer is being served up the right information at the right time.

Global VM Responsibilities:

• Manage the design development of our Global VM guidelines and Go to Market retail initiatives supporting our New Product Launches (NPL) and Tentpole Marketing Campaigns. Develop work to the highest possible standards, ensuring that deliverables are aligned to across all stakeholders.
• Create high level design concepts through sketches and 3D renderings that drive the VM guideline development.
• Deep dive into Marketing and Creative briefs to lead VM team to effective ideas and concepts that highlight product strategies and maximize consumer engagement opportunities.
• In partnership with ACD 2D Brand and VM Designers, ensure guidelines are current with campaign assets, communication hierarchy, and clear VM design direction for effectively scaling across regional executions.
• Liaise with Regional VM leads to ensure that Global VM guidelines meet regional business needs and that visual standards are continuously followed and elevated.
• Support the Director, Global VM with in-store initiatives that are strategically aligned with the Global brand vision.

Leadership Functions:

• Mentor and inspire design direct report(s) to perform at the top of their abilities and foster growth and creativity in the collective ability of the team.
• Streamline communication and VM processes throughout the VM design process. Lead the internal review processes that follow appropriate timeline milestones.
• Foster a highly collaborative environment where design work and output is in lock step with Global Brand while adequately meeting needs of Commercial Business Objectives.
• Champion creative problem solving and develop a reputation for being a collaborative and solutions-oriented team.
• Meet all timelines and ensure delivery of executions for stakeholder review. Manage expectations cross-functionally when timelines are not favorable to proper processes and executional standards.
• Manage various fast-paced workstreams with confidence.

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in relevant industry. Some beauty experience preferred.
• Experience in leading and growing direct reports.
• Background in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Visual Merchandising Design or related field.
• Software Requirements: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Rhino and/or Sketchup, Keyshot
• Expertise in concept development, planogramming and knowledge of 3D dimensional structures and spaces.
• Strong understanding of branding and graphic storytelling within the retail environment.
• Career track record that shows the candidate has a strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and to meet deadlines using excellent organizational skills, quality execution and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills with ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely – ability to provide and receive constructive feedback that is necessary to improve designs.
• Must be highly collaborative with ability to understand the objectives of all cross-functional partners and work toward a design that meets that need and upholds the creative integrity of the brand.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast-paced environment.