Director of Retail Brand Experience - Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth

We are seeking a Director of Retail Brand Experience to join our team. In this role, you will develop a hands-on guest experience that represents the Lakeshore brand in an innovative way and helps increase store sales. The position plays a critical role in the conceptualization, coordination and planning of the visual merchandising elements of Lakeshore stores. The role is responsible for enhancing the visual appeal of 60-plus stores along with creating a cohesive brand experience. Applicants should possess the knowledge to build a well-rounded brand strategy that encompasses both long-term strategic plans and short-term tactical initiatives. The ideal candidate has experience with hardline merchandising and space optimization, with a focus on inventory productivity.  

This position requires being on-site full-time, Monday to Friday 

A day on the job looks like this:  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a clear strategy for hands-on guest experiences that reflect brand priorities, customer trends and expectations  
• Partner with key stakeholders to create and drive thoughtful segmentation strategies that provide differentiation in the marketplace  
• Relentlessly drive space-optimization improvements to the in-store experience through strategic vision and direction focused on improving sales and inventory productivity with revenue growth   
• Provide performance feedback on visual merchandising initiatives, identify opportunities for improving results and provide solutions to store-specific visual and merchandising challenges  
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to create retail specific marketing materials. 
• Provide insight and develop strategy on how to amplify retail though brand marketing initiatives. 
• Establish a seasonal brand strategy in partnership with marketing and sales teams to drive overall growth in retail 
• Ensure that the brand experience is consistent across all touchpoints and aligns with overall company vision  
• Communicate the clear articulation of visual merchandising strategies to the organization  
• Drive innovation in visual merchandising techniques and displays to create unique and memorable guest experiences  
• Be a dynamic change agent, a coach and a mentor, a thought leader, a transparent and effective communicator and a trustworthy partner  
• Interface with cross-functional departments to fully understand key product priorities   
• Build and champion strong collaborative working partnerships with Senior Director of Stores, Territory Managers, store leadership teams and home-office partners  
• Support the Retail Executive team with all business and visual-related strategies (e.g., new business initiatives, presentation strategies, product launches, etc.)  
• Provide insight and strategic direction on the best available technologies to improve the in-store experience  
• Ideate and oversee visual merchandising initiatives that increase operational efficiency by understanding the store needs and developing solutions for innovative ways of working   
• Champion new merchandising tests, initiatives and proof-of-concept strategies in which visual expertise is required  
• Provide budget oversight and accountability  

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:  

• 9+ years of demonstrated success in visual brand management, marketing or related field required  
• Excellent understanding of retail trends and consumer behaviors   
• Ability to strategically plan initiatives and execute those initiatives flawlessly   
• Business acumen with analytical, planning and problem-solving skills, plus an outcome-oriented mindset   
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful visual merchandising strategies in a retail environment  
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that can adapt to various audiences  
• Self-motivated and results oriented, with a focus on providing solutions to entrenched issues  
• Skilled at prioritizing, while remaining flexible to changing priorities and assignments  
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD preferred  
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs preferred  

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $157,000-$175,000 with an annual bonus of up to 20%
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy.