VM Stylist Coordinator

About the role

As a VM Stylist you will be responsible for ensuring that all regional John Lewis stores' Fashion, Home, beauty and tech styling look strong and exciting to customers at all times. You will need to be able to inspire customers, focussing on both the trend influencer and our typical customers. Demonstrating a balanced view, focusing on both own brand and 3rd party brands to maintain their individual brand strategies' integrity whilst working as a Styling team to support key business goals.

Expected salary up to - £45,000 depending on experience

Contract type - This position is a 12 month Secondment/Fixed Term contract

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs, whilst balancing the needs of the business. Within the Brand and Store Experience team, we believe in the power of connection, which is why our core office days are Monday and Tuesday. We typically aim for around three days a week in the office or visiting shops to allow for collaboration and attendance of key meetings. Some weekends / late nights may also be required.

Location - This role is based at our London Head Office campus in Pimlico. Please note, any cost incurred as a result of travel to the office is the responsibility of the successful candidate. There is also a responsibility to visit our John Lewis branches when necessary and travel costs will be met in line with the travel policy. FYI - Physical activities such as lifting and moving of mannequins is required within this role.

Key responsibilities

• Working with the wider VM team to plan and implement mannequin & lifestyle styling training sessions with the VM team in adhoc branches to develop in store partners.
• Regular branch visits and styling refreshes in stores, working with branches to implement latest styling whilst focusing on partner training.
• Providing information on styling/trend interpretation to share at team level, supporting new window scheme launch, working closely with the Design Managers and Window Stylists.
• Supporting key flagships with new window installations, lifestyle and mannequin advice.
• Attending product meetings and working with Buying/Design teams to gain valuable knowledge and insight on trends and brand seasonal expectations to ensure new trends are delivered well in store.
• Working alongside the Stylists & VM Managers to ensure outfit building and storytelling is executed cohesively.
• Exploring new ways to work with Home, Beauty products, tech and small ticket items within a store environment as required.
• Working closely with the product teams on creative ideation and design to ensure these are allocated in advance.
• Developing style notes on a monthly basis and additional seasonal updates when necessary.
• Supporting creative floor walks with relevant store teams in order to monitor the execution of mannequin styling, creative & lifestyle installations, seasonal launches, product showcases and overall visual appearance of the store.
• Allocating stock ahead of product installations to ensure we are showcasing key newness across all categories.
• Working as a group to come up with new creative solutions following store visits if necessary.
• Supporting other key brand events - press shows, marketing events etc and providing Stylist support.
• Using extensive knowledge from competitive shops, social media and Fashion/ Design weeks to apply to key styling moments and have relevant integral awareness around what is trending from all categories of the business including beauty and tech.
• Working with teams across the business to form product related deals and product placement within windows/internal sites.
• Providing information on styling/trend interpretation to share at team level across all categories of the business, supporting lead stylist on new window schemes launches, working closely with the Design Managers and peers.
• Supporting key flagships with all new installations, lifestyle and mannequin advice.
• Setting up product showcases in Head Office across Fashion, Home and Christmas.
• Proactive with driving own development and enjoys working in a fast paced, high energy environment.
• Preempts the need for, and manages change - supporting teams throughout the process.
• Regularly spend time in shops/office/suppliers as reasonably required to fulfil the job role to drive Creative proposition and enhance Visual opportunities and working collaboratively across both VM and Styling, ensuring the departments are aligned and the teams are working collectively.

Skills

• Styling and creative skills
• Training and coaching skills
• Teamwork
• Ability to organise and manage your own time effectively
• Creative problem solving

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Past styling experience
• Able to demonstrate commercial acumen, an excellent understanding of customer requirements
• Ability to work on own initiative and self-motivated
• Experience building strong relationships with key business stakeholders
• Demonstrate the ability to stay positive under pressure and stay focused on goals
• Outstanding styling skills
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, ability to liaise at all levels
• An innovative approach to support business growth
• Experience creating Styling guidelines

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Working experience in Autocad, Indesign, Sketch up, photoshop or similar
• Experience in training and coaching stylists