Head of Visual Merchandising

Role Responsibility

Selfridges is a brand driven by our vision to reinvent retail. Known as an extraordinary experience that is multi-format, driven by creativity and with our customer at the heart, we are a creative playground that is revealed through curated product, experimental expression and dynamic collisions that release something new. The Head Of Visual Merchandising is a crucial role in achieving this vision, and positioning our brand through bold creative expressions, cutting-edge solutions and impeccable visual merchandising and presentation standards.

The role oversees the in-store VM team in our iconic Oxford St flagship store and provides support and guidance to our regional stores in Manchester and Birmingham. It is a strategic role requiring long-term planning; responding to business and market needs while always pushing the boundaries of the art of retail. It is also a managerial role, requiring the support and development of a world-class VM team, while maximising efficiencies in all areas.
The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with a high taste level. You will be adept at planning, organising and inspiring teams, and comfortable influencing a wide range of stakeholders including brand partners, contractors, and the executive team.

As Head of Visual Merchandising, you will –
• Manage a significant budget while maximising efficiency and creative impact.
• Push sustainable practices and improve sustainable solutions.
• Drive the taste level and ‘wow factor’ across the store in relation to styling direction and creative installations.
• Elevate Visual Merchandising standards to world-class level.
•Understand the customer journey and ensure the store is easy to navigate, while providing moments of discovery and delight.
• 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
• Be adept in presenting creative plans to Fashion and Lifestyle Director, Executive Creative Director and wider Executive Team.
• Be a collaborative and inspiring leader, unlocking creative potential in your team.
• Understand the Selfridges brand principles and guide your team in responding to these principles accordingly.
• Respond to Creative Direction briefs with practical yet creatively brilliant solutions that are on
brand, on budget and within required timelines.
• Ensure your team is fully compliant at all times with trading standards legislation, health & safety legislation and security standards.

The Ideal Candidate

• At least 10 years experience in Visual Merchandising or related field.
• 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.

Personal Attributes/ Behavioural Skills
• Collaborative and inspiring leader
• Solutions focused
• Ability to build positive relationships and influence with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Confident presence who is comfortable voicing opinions and persuading others at a
senior level
• Organised and efficient with good communication skills
• Driven by creativity

Qualifications/ Training
• Degree level qualification in the arts or related creative field.

About the Company

Rewards and benefits 

Here are just a few of our rewards and benefits that help make our team experience that bit more extraordinary. 

• Flexible working options to benefit you, your family and your wellbeing that can include part-time, flexi-time, job sharing or hybrid working

• Generous annual leave that increases with length of service 

• Up to five paid volunteering days – from beach cleans to co-ordinating food and clothing donations 

• Family leave that suits your set up including Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental leave policies 

• Defined pension contribution scheme  

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme  

• Enviable team member discount including sale previews and double discount days 

• Exclusive local discounts on a range of restaurants, bars, beauticians and entertainment 

• Subsidised gym memberships  

• A sustainable car salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility criteria)

• Several internal communities to get involved in from our Diversity Board and Green Warriors who are leading the charge on D,E&I and sustainability, to the Wellbeings who are always thinking of new ways to champion healthy minds, bodies and routines for our team members 

• Workplace Options, our confidential team member assistance programme for when life gets tricky or you need a little guidance 

• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development 

Read on to find out how you can play your part in Reinventing Retail… 

Everyone is welcome 

Selfridges is a place where we want everyone to feel a sense of belonging. We embrace every self and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive working culture. We are leading with purpose to not only increase the visibility and recognition of under-represented talent within our organisation, but the wider industry too. Here at Selfridges, everyone is welcome – irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or disability, we stand by equal opportunities for all.   

To ensure every feels welcome, we offer support at every stage of the application and interview process.  Should you need it, please let your recruitment contact know and they will be more than happy to help.

Our awards cabinet  

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign. We were also recognised as a ‘Best 25 Big Company to Work For 2020’ as awarded by The Sunday Times. 

Selfridges