📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: AVP, Brand Strategy
🔹 Company: Saks Fifth Avenue
🔹 Location: Remote - New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Retail Apparel and Fashion
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Shaping and executing brand vision for Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman
- Leading a team to develop and implement strategic brand initiatives
- Collaborating cross-functionally to ensure brand strategy integration
- Analyzing market trends and consumer insights to inform brand strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of luxury retail brands and consumer behavior.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and evolve brand vision, purpose, and positioning for Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman
✅ Collaborate with senior leadership to refine and communicate strategic brand direction
✅ Ensure brand positioning is consistently reflected across all consumer touchpoints
✅ Develop and implement brand strategies that drive growth, customer loyalty, and market differentiation
✅ Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two Senior Managers
✅ Identify and drive key brand initiatives that enhance brand position and increase customer engagement
✅ Conduct competitive brand audits to identify opportunities for innovation and market leadership
✅ Partner with senior leaders across Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman to integrate brand strategy into overall business plan
✅ Develop and implement brand performance metrics to measure success of brand strategies and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and team leadership.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
Experience: 8+ years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, or a related field, with significant experience in luxury retail or fashion
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of developing and executing successful brand strategies
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to translate consumer insights and market data into actionable brand strategies
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Deep understanding of luxury retail brands and consumer behavior
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with multiple luxury retail brands
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in luxury retail brand strategy and proven leadership skills are most likely to succeed in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $188,000 - $245,000* per year (based on industry standards for a role of this level and location)
Benefits:
- Medical
- Vision
- Dental
- Employee Discount
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The provided salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including overall experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail Apparel and Fashion
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
Founded: 1924
Company Description:
- Saks Fifth Avenue is the premier destination for luxury fashion, driven by a mission to help customers express themselves through relevant and inspiring fashion.
- The company offers an expertly curated assortment of fashion and highly personalized customer service, combining an emphasis on the digital customer experience with a strong connection to a network of extraordinary stores for seamless, all-channel shopping.
- Saks Fifth Avenue is part of Saks Global’s distinguished portfolio of world-class luxury retailers and real estate assets.
Company Specialties:
- Luxury Retail
- Fashion
- Brand Management
Company Website: http://www.saks.com
ASSUMPTION: Saks Fifth Avenue is a well-established luxury retailer with a strong brand presence and a commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive/Management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the senior-most leader of Portfolio & Brand Strategy
Work Arrangement: Remote, with flexibility for on-site collaboration as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a senior leadership role within the company
- Opportunities to work on high-impact brand initiatives and strategic projects
- Chance to gain experience working with multiple luxury retail brands
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the company's brand strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote, with occasional on-site collaboration
Office Location(s): New York, NY
Geographic Context:
- New York is a major global hub for fashion and luxury retail
- The remote work arrangement offers flexibility and work-life balance
- The company's strong brand presence and reputation provide a supportive work environment
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement allows for a better work-life balance, while occasional on-site collaboration fosters a strong team culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with cross-functional stakeholders
- Final interview with the senior-most leader of Portfolio & Brand Strategy
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand strategy development and execution
- Leadership and team management skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight your experience in luxury retail brand strategy and leadership
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize relevant skills and accomplishments
- Prepare examples of brand initiatives you've led and their outcomes
ATS Keywords: Brand Strategy, Luxury Retail, Leadership, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Team Development, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Analytical Skills, Communication, Presentation Skills
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive and thorough, focusing on the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Brand tracking and analytics tools (e.g., Brand24, YouGov, Kantar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the candidate's preferences and the team's established practices.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Excellence-driven
Work Style:
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay informed about market trends and consumer behavior in the luxury retail sector?
- Describe a time when you led a team through a significant brand initiative. What was the outcome?
- How do you approach cross-functional collaboration and communication to drive brand strategy?
ASSUMPTION: Saks Fifth Avenue values candidates who are passionate about luxury retail, customer-focused, and able to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple luxury retail brands with distinct identities and customer bases
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day tactical execution
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Ensuring consistent brand positioning across all consumer touchpoints
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to navigate these challenges effectively, leveraging their strong leadership skills and strategic mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on shaping and executing brand vision for multiple luxury retail brands within a single organization
- Similar roles in other luxury retail companies may have a narrower focus on a single brand or a specific market
- Career progression in this role could lead to senior leadership positions within Saks Global's portfolio of luxury retailers
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience working with multiple luxury retail brands and drive strategic brand initiatives at a high level.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive brand strategy for Saks Fifth Avenue's digital channels
- Conducting a competitive brand audit and identifying opportunities for innovation and market leadership
- Leading a cross-functional team to execute a high-impact brand campaign for Neiman Marcus
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the AVP, Brand Strategy role at Saks Fifth Avenue.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall brand strategy for Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Saks Fifth Avenue support the growth and development of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to cross-functional collaboration and communication?
- How does Saks Fifth Avenue measure the success of its brand strategies and initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their understanding of the brand strategy landscape at Saks Fifth Avenue.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in luxury retail brand strategy and leadership
- Prepare examples of brand initiatives you've led and their outcomes
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
