Free People EU Visual Manager (6 Month FTC)

Free People is a specialty clothing brand featuring the latest trends and vintage collections for people who live free through fashion, art, music and travel. The eclectic look consists of quality apparel, shoes, and accessories that invoke attributes of femininity, spirit, and creativity with its design. Free People is distributed globally via direct channels such as the Free People US & Free People UK sites, as well as specialty boutiques, top department stores, and the brand’s own free standing retail locations in the US and Canada. 

Free People are seeking an experienced Visual Manager to enhance visual merchandising and support sales in our wholesale stores and showrooms across Europe. This role involves frequent travel, staff training, and collaboration with sales teams to drive our brand's presence.

Stores/Sales:

• Visit department prospective stores to support with merchandising, display, stock and selling
• Communicate weekly with floor managers to stay informed on floor moves/events/new opportunities/customer profile
• Request images of stores and feedback to individual stores with visual/commercial support
• Manage brand staff in stores and train and support to drive sales and achieve targets
• Stock/inventory/stockroom support for stores
• Host training seminars in stores/showroom and create/distribute product training packs monthly for each new delivery
• Launch store initiatives/incentives and support in-store events to drive sales
• Work with the sales team to create monthly reorder proposals and product packages
• Support in buying appointments, bringing commercial/customer knowledge and visual support for selections
• Log/report selling and bestsellers to team, with weekly recaps for key accounts to be sent weekly on major accounts

Store Projects

• Coordinate all wholesale shop-in-shops and in-store events for prospective stores
• Propose opportunities for pop up/in store events to management team

Showrooms

• Responsible for overseeing market appointment prep and keeping the showroom and market standards aligned with NY.
• Ensure market catering and presentation is kept on brand and interesting, bringing new ideas and relaying to showroom coordinator.
• Support with EU partners:
  • Communicate monthly to support with collection launches
  • Send showroom directives/store VM directives
  • Coordinate orders for VM elements for both stores and showrooms
  • Support partners with store launches/tradeshows/staff training
  • Source, and distribute visual merchandising props (fixture packages, logos, display, furnishings, etc.) for showrooms or any additional special projects as needed
• Manage collection launches monthly, ensuring all aspects of the showroom are set for market
• Work with sample team on launching deliveries timely each month
• Manage any visual updates; dressing/outfitting showroom mannequins for new deliveries, special events or appointments, communicating this monthly to EU showrooms
• Responsible for perfect presentation of samples in showroom reflecting appropriate collections/OTS

• Proven experience in visual merchandising, retail management, or a related field.
• A passion for Free People and understanding of the brand.
• Strong understanding of merchandising, display techniques, and stock management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train and motivate store staff.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Creative flair and attention to detail in visual presentation.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate events and initiatives.
• Flexibility to travel regularly to various stores and showrooms across Europe.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages, specifically French, are a plus.

    • Work-life balance:
-Flexible start and finish times
-Bring your dog to work
• Wellbeing:
-Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health
-Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships
-Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Discount:
-Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands
• Community:
-One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice
• Travel:
-Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan
• Continued Development:
-We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development 

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.