VM Manager

Job Introduction

Are you a skilled VM manager? Could you build a successful department – in every sense? Do you insist on the highest standards?

Then you’re the kind of person we’re looking for.

Role Responsibility

To create visually compelling installations and styling throughout the Division. Ensure merchandising presentation standards, attention to detail & execution is of the highest calibre.

Shop the competition and research trends to ensure that Selfridges is the destination for visual impact.

Manage and develop the team through effective role modelling and influencing skills across the business.

People

• Seek to continuously raise the benchmark and improve standards through ongoing development , coaching and performance management of the team
• Build a close knit functional visual team that will own it & deliver. 
• Ensure all team members are fully briefed on key business messages and communications in a timely and inspirational manner.
• Motivate your team to achieve targets by monitoring performance, giving feedback and addressing any concerns in a timely manner. 
• Oversee a robust recruitment process for all vacancies within the visual team, attracting and recruiting the highest calibre candidates. 
• Identify specialists within the team to create development opportunities and career progression. Support this with training plans and regular follow up
• Promote a positive working environment that maintains team morale and motivation
• Ensure that all team members receive development through their line managers. This should be specific to the individual and reviewed regularly

• Constantly & consistently drive your team to set new standards of presentation

• Store-walk regularly with team and review & drive standards to generate action plans. Set team up with daily priorities and follow up
• Challenge team on communication with sales floor teams to ensure two way communication is in place and all tasks are communicated effectively and all actions are completed
• Involve team in decision making to ensure all team members contribute to creative briefs
• Follow up and ensure that all H&S training is current and complete within the team

Service

• Ownership of the visual merchandising for the Divisions in its entirety
• Work closely with peers and stakeholders to ensure consistency in all installations
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders, to generate ideas on own bought areas and help drive sales
• Influencing key stakeholders to support VM aims and objectives

• Adopts a strategic approach to VM in your Divisions, whilst maintaining consistent delivery of daily VM activity

Product

• Ensure merchandising presentation standards, attention to detail, and execution is of the highest calibre

• Create visually exciting installations with team in line with your own creative briefs & seasonal schemes
• Demonstrates in-depth product knowledge across your Divisions
• Appreciation of the difference between VM in luxury and volume sales areas of the store
• Drive improvement in our visual standards, working cross functionally with other departments to agree the accepted standard
• Research and develop ideas from initial brief, develop mood boards and comp shop to find the most creative solutions
• - Owns Real Estate, review and sign off for all sites ensuring Selfridges Guidelines and store parameters are adhered to.
•  - Strong communication evident between Central Real Estate teams and Senior team member to ensure consistent site approvals and feedback across the business.
• Owner of Pop Up review and sign off process.
• Creating all Pop-Up Guidelines which are aligned in format and details to ensure clarity of parameters.
• Strong Communication skills evident on all pop-up installation schedules across key stakeholders.

Environment

• Shop the competition regularly to understand external brand’s identity

• Walk the store to ensure that VM is maintained & product is merchandised to the highest standard
• Appreciates the pace at which the business operates and can flex VM offer accordingly
• Ensures appropriate standards in all VM Back of House areas
• Can demonstrate & deliver detailed execution of VM offer and influences the team to do likewise

Profit

• Ensure VM team is organised to maintain efficiency

• Constantly review and look for ways to improve the day to day operation of the department
• Ensure all expenses are processed correctly, trackers are kept up to date & there is ongoing visibility on current spend YTD.

The Ideal Candidate

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Experience of managing a diverse team of creative people
• Organised and efficient
• An effective short, medium & long term planner
• Good communication and listening skills
• Ability to manage budgets and expenses
• Resilient
• Good coach and role model
• PC literate
• Flexibility to work non office hours and overnight to support installations

About the Company

Since Harry Gordon Selfridge first opened the doors of Selfridges Oxford Street, London in 1909, Selfridges has been dedicated to surprising, amusing and amazing its customers with astounding moments of retail theatre. Having won The Best Department Store in The World title three times (2010, 2012 and 2014) along with World’s Best Sustainability Campaign by a Department Store in 2016, Selfridges is renowned as being the premier destination for a truly extraordinary customer experience, whether you’re shopping online or in store.

Selfridges