Head of VM

schuh London Office – Management Level
Oxford Circus
London

Permanent
Full-Time NEW!

About the role

Job Title: Head of Visual Merchandising

Reports To: Chief Marketing Office

Accountable For: Leading and executing the visual merchandising strategy for our retail estate. This is a visionary and strategic role where you will collaborate cross-functionally to create world-class customer experiences that enhance our brand positioning. Ownership of the store design strategy for both our adult and kids businesses sits within this role. This is also a managerial role, supporting and developing of our growing VM team, while maximising efficiencies in all areas.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver the overall VM Strategy outlining commercial ambitions and focus for the department – quarterly and annually
• Manage the existing VM Team – from projects, to mentorship and personal development
• Manage the VM department budget whilst maximising efficiency and creative impact. Ensure all costs are managed within budget
• Drive the taste level and ‘wow factor’ across the store in relation to styling direction and creative installations.
• Create and ensure a cohesive shopping experience for our customers by understanding
  and ensuring correct product and brand adjacencies, as well as fixturing layout, in line with store vision
• Understand the customer journey and ensure the store is easy to navigate, while providing moments of discovery and delight.
• Work with the Head of Marketing to manage the Production Calendar to schedule all content, requirements and required meetings in advance to ensure delivery to deadline and within budget.
• Work closely with the brand partnerships team to strategise and execute in store ‘branded’ experiences, ensuring strong levels of taste and brand respect, along with budget and time considerations.
• Act as Brand Guardian to ensure VM inclusive of overall store design, store window, in store campaigns and merchandising is aspirational, on brand and innovative
• Responsible for all-store VM communications – review and reform as necessary
• Build and maintain strong relationships with other departments including wider Marketing, PR and Ecommerce with particular emphasis on Retail to ensure awareness of all campaign and content requirements
• Work with the wider VM Team to manage the production and delivery of all POS support and pricing equipment for in store seasonal promotions as well as full price campaigns, to deadline and budget.
• Deliver VM strategy and support, as required, for corporate brand events including the annual brand conference
• Ensure the schuh brand positioning and identity are understood across the organisation and consistently executed across stores. Communicating this confidently and clearly across all areas of the business.
• Produce campaign results decks to measure ROI and provide actionable insights where applicable
• Consistently monitor competitor and industry activity and provide wash up reports where relevant for major campaigns
• Be an Ambassador for schuh communicating our brand DNA confidently to third parties
• Be adept in presenting creative plans to the Leadership Team.
• Push sustainable practices and improve sustainable solutions.
• Ensure your team is fully compliant at all times with trading standards legislation, health & safety legislation and security standards.
• Be a collaborative and inspiring leader, unlocking creative potential in your team.

The Ideal Candidate

• At least 10 years experience in Visual Merchandising.
• Proven track record in building highly efficient and capable teams.
• Proven experience in balancing commercial focus with creative integrity.
• Extensive experience in directing teams and developing creative projects on time and to budget.
• Collaborative and inspiring leader
• Ability to build positive relationships and influence with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Organised and efficient with good communication skills
• Driven by creativity
• Degree level qualification in the arts or related creative field.

N.B The role will be based in London however there is a fundamental requirement to be ‘in field’ and regularly visit stores across the UK and ROI

About the location

Central London – Oxford Circus

What we will offer you:

Our culture

You do you, and we do shoes.

Sure we’re all about shoes and sneakers but we’re also about the people wearing them.

Our vision is People.Purpose.Progress and central to this is our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. We welcome applications from underrepresented communities and want you to express yourself everyday, no matter your ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, age, family or parental status, beliefs, nationalities, religions or otherwise.

A destination for self-expression for over 40 years. Be part of it.

To support an inclusive environment, our purpose groups – racial equality, LGBTQ+ equality, disability equality, mental wellness and sustainability are employee led and give different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds to fuel innovation and celebrate diverse voices. Find out more here Our Purpose | schuh

Perks of the job

• Up to 40% product discount for those amazing sneaks you want. You can also share this with your loved ones.
• 34 days holiday (including bank holidays) – flexibility to buy and sell holiday
• Your birthday off to celebrate you
• Flexible working hours, hybrid and remote working options depending on your role
• Perk platform for hundreds of discounts
• Stream your wages as you earn them to get paid your way
• Employee assistance programme with the retail trust to support your wellbeing
• Auto-enrolled pension scheme to help you save for the future