Position SummaryReporting to the CMO, the VP, Store Design & Visual Merchandising will focus on marrying commercial viability with desirability and brand presence. This highly collaborative, equal parts creative and operational role will lead concept end-to-end across several store and merchandising types to ensure a cohesive, high-touch, and saleable experience reflecting our brand ethos across every consumer touchpoint.
Responsibilities:
- Evolve and document Westman Atelier's physical footprint in collaboration with relevant cross-functional partners, including Founder, CMO and Head of Sales, ensuring every touchpoint across installations marries shoppability with high-touch luxury aesthetic
- Partner with regions to ensure global brand guidelines and quality standards are executed in a way that protects Westman Atelier's prestige positioning while allowing for local market nuances.
- Partner closely with the Creative & Content teams to design immersive, cohesive consumer journeys that seamlessly translate online brand stories into tangible in-store experiences.
- Design and develop fixtures and modular merchandising systems tailored to revenue objectives. Ensure all installations are optimized for up-selling, high-traffic engagement, increased conversion rates, and profitability.
- Partner with Brand Marketing on high impact print and physical activations such as mailers, collateral, and IRL eventing
- Conduct quarterly competitive analysis across VM types to ensure we stay ahead of the landscape
- Curate and optimize a database of global suppliers and production partners. Focus on maintaining high-quality manufacturing while utilizing value-engineering to ensure scalability and cost-efficiency.
- Manage overall budget and project forecasting. Partner with finance and sales teams on annual budget, reforecasts and to ensure design initiatives are aligned with P & L goals.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing global team across store design, VM, and project management. Foster a culture of creativity, agility, flexibility, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Partner closely with product marketing and events and education to create a brand right toolkit for evergreen and tier a launches.
- Partner closely with Sales to understand store-specific performance data and traffic patterns, adjusting VM and design strategies to maximize the productivity of every square foot.
- Establish an agile design framework that allows the team to pivot quickly in response to shifting global retail landscapes, supply chain disruptions, or localized market opportunities.
- Standardize the project management lifecycle for all installations, ensuring clear communication, streamlined workflows, and accountability across all global regional partners.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Store Design, Visual Merchandising or related creative field; Master's preferred.
- 10-15 years of demonstrated work experience in the luxury/beauty industry
- 5+ years of demonstrated work experience managing teams, building a culture of accountability
- Proven experience managing design & VM operations across multiple global regions (US, EMEA, APAC)
- Demonstrated success in building and scaling high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams. Ability to foster a culture of accountability, mentorship, and creative excellence.
- Proven track record of managing multi-million dollar capex budgets, including vendor contract negotiation, value engineering and project forecasting
- Demonstrated ability to partner with Sales and Finance teams to translate retail performance data into design strategies that drive conversion and traffic.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence C-suite leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
- Expert ability to direct and curate the brand's visual identity across 360-degree environments.
- Deep understanding of architectural and regulatory standards
- A visionary approach to integrating retail technology and sustainability into store design without compromising the luxury aesthetic.
- Demonstrated experience with drafting and structural techniques, engineering, drawing, CAD/graphics, and reading of comprehensive shop drawings
- Ability to lead multiple global projects across disciplines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to travel as required
Westman Atelier offers a holistic total compensation package designed to support employees in all aspects of life, including a robust suite of health benefits, wellness perks, 401k, and paid parental leave. The base salary for this position will range from $200,000-$220,000. Exact compensation may vary based on job related skills, experience, and location.
