Director, Visual Merchandising & Store Design

Summary

Lead and elevate Guerlain's visual merchandising and store design across the U.S., partnering with Paris HQ and retail partners to enhance the brand experience. Oversee merchandising strategy, training, and flagship or freestanding store projects while managing a small design and merchandising team from the New York corporate office. Serve as the primary U.S. contact for retailer relationships and coordinate store construction, installation, and post-installation activities. Role requires travel as needed to support field execution and project oversight.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement visual merchandising elements, event and counter animation, and launch tools to elevate the Guerlain image at retail.
• Create and maintain a visual merchandising database with department store and retailer details and key contacts.
• Partner with Paris HQ and VP, Sales to adapt global soft merchandising and obtain retailer approvals.
• Provide training and on-the-job coaching to sales field and store teams on display standards and maintenance.
• Manage store design projects: review design and construction documents, establish timetables, coordinate bids, supervise on-site construction, and manage punch lists.
• Coordinate seasonal updates with marketing and external vendors (including Sephora gondola updates) and ensure proper merchandising elements for installations.
• Lead and supervise direct reports (2 Managers and 1 Coordinator) and liaise with internal departments for project delivery.

Requirements

• 10+ years of visual merchandising and store design experience in a related industry.
• Degree in architecture, industrial design, or interior design required.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD.
• Strong analytical, presentation, organizational, and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, hands-on professional and effective team leader; travel required.