Head of Visual Merchandising - Fashion

Job description

Job Purpose The Head of Visual Merchandising is responsible for defining and executing the overall VM strategy for the Fashion Division in China, ensuring the Chanel Difference is well expressed through Fashion creation and unique brand image. This role is to elevate the brand through exceptional visual storytelling, ensuring every VM initiative embodies the brand’s values, aesthetics, and unique presence in the luxury fashion landscape. The Head of VM will lead and develop expert teams, foster collaboration, and ensure agility and vitality in VM operations to support business growth and strategic cycles. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES VM Strategy, Planning & Implementation Define and drive overall VM strategy for China, integrating brand & image, storytelling, people and market dynamics. Champion the brand's image and push forward fashion energy across all VM touchpoints. Drive innovation in VM concepts and execution, ensuring vitality, agility, and a forward-thinking approach. Oversee the execution of VM plans in boutiques and across the collection journey, ensuring consistency and high standards. Manage VM agility to respond rapidly to market trends and business needs. Oversee VM production teams to deliver innovative, high-quality, and brand-driven visual merchandising solutions. Lead annual budget planning, T&E planning, VM buy process to align with VM goals. Business Partnership & Synergies Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including retail, marketing, merchandising, styling, to create cohesive and impactful VM solutions from upstream to downstream & beyond. Strike balance between brand image and business growth, ensuring VM initiatives enhance the client journey and support business sensibility. Optimize SOH presentation, BNWN opportunities, and KEM actions for business effectiveness. Establish and maintain strong connections with global and regional VM counterparts to ensure consistent brand execution. Provide support to realize 3 regions, city-based & OBOS synergies & initiatives. Expertise & Capability Development Elevate the VM team's expertise in luxury fashion, creative storytelling, and brand & client centric approaches. Drive continuous improvement in creative capability and agility to anticipate and respond to current & prevailing context. Support collaboration and insightful exchanges that enhance the brand’s visual identity across the organization. Leadership and Team Development Continuously refine & upgrade VM organization to adapt to new challenges. Identify, Develop and nurture team managers with robust capabilities. Build strong talent pipeline for VM communities in different layers to sustain talent supply. Establish a team culture that emphasizes learning, active listening, and sharing, fostering a strong sense of team spirit. Maintain significant influence among other teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless project management and safeguard client experience. KEY REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES (what you can bring to the team) Passionate about Luxury & Fashion: Deep understanding and enthusiasm for luxury fashion and brand heritage, with a commitment to staying ahead of creative trends. Brand advocacy: Serve as the champion of the brand’s image, ensuring all VM initiatives reflect and amplify its singularity and emotional appeal. Sense of Aesthetics: Exceptional ability to harmonize color, detail, and spatial design, consistently delivering visually impactful and brand-aligned presentations Strong Leadership: Proven ability to inspire and develop creative teams dedicated to brand excellence. Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a clear vision for VM’s future direction and long-term goals. Orchestration & Connecting the dots: Identify and leverage connections between different aspects of the business to create cohesive strategies. Find synergies across departments to enhance overall performance & make impact. Agility & Open-minded: Be innovative and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to swiftly adapt to clients' demands and market changes. Influencing Stakeholders: Ability to effectively influence and engage with key stakeholders to align their support and drive strategic initiatives. #LI-RM1