Special Projects Manager, Brand Image EMEA

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.

The Brand Image Manager oversees the development and execution of special projects across full price stores across EMEA. They are responsible for conceptualizing, designing, sourcing, managing production and supervising installations for key product initiatives and events, focusing on enhancing the brand's visual presence and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate needs to have a strong Visual Merchandising/Creative design background and have great attention to detail, creativity, understanding of magic/logic balance, strategic thinking, and people skills. Responsibilities include:

• Translating product and sales objectives into creative strategies/briefs that adhere to all standards of the Ralph Lauren brand.
• Managing calendar of special projects, planning and overseeing all installations to activate the balance of ‘magic and logic’.
• Compiling a creative brief and managing a “to-do” list per project.
• Partnering with key business counterparts to ensure implementation on time, on budget and with a clear roadmap for all parties to understand progress.
• Managing Capital/expense budget associated with all projects.
• Liaising with Marketing teams for all Special projects and initiatives.
• Handling projects from design to execution.
• Managing the procurement and compilation of creative and aesthetic elements for each project.
• Researching, identifying and utilizing multiple vendors and resources for props, decorative elements and set building.
• Managing schedule and coordinating the different vendors/counterparts to ensure efficient use of time/resources and minimum store disruption during trading hours.
• Staying up to date with product delivery/install dates, regional budgets, new marketing events/initiatives and key EMEA projects across other creative channels.
• Helping compile images and information for BI decks to share with the business.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong visual merchandising and creative design with a luxury goods retailer.
• Strong project leader.
• Strategic, extremely creative yet business savvy.
• Proactive, resourceful, can-do attitude.
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Great ability to build effective relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to balance planning, installations, and maintenance on a rolling calendar, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent project/budgetary management and organizational skills.
• General computer proficiency to include Design software’s, such as Sketch-up and Photoshop.
• Ability to conduct installations outside of standard working and retail store hours (e.g. evenings and weekends).
• Ability to manage & travel to multiple stores/locations across the EMEA.
• Passion and affinity for the Ralph Lauren Brand.