Director, Visual Creative Planning - Home

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Visual Creative Planning - Home

🔹 Company: Macy's

🔹 Location: New York, New York, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-30

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving sales and customer experience through visual strategies
• Leading a team to create compelling in-store presentations
• Collaborating with various departments to align on fashion and trend initiatives
• Managing multiple projects and resources effectively
• Fostering a growth mindset and mentoring team members

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in visual merchandising and leadership experience to effectively drive sales and customer experience through visual strategies.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the team through the creative process to conceptualize and design all visual merchandising components for a specific family of business

✅ Partner with merchants to provide monthly and seasonal fashion and style inspiration

✅ Support field teams by delivering coaching, training, and feedback to ensure product knowledge, visual execution, and standards align with Macy’s brand expectations

✅ Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal cross-functional partners and external business stakeholders

✅ Communicate and manage all project timelines, deliveries, and installations

✅ Manage budgets for each project, ensuring cost controls are maintained

✅ Champion a growth mindset by mentoring and coaching team members

✅ Foster career development and growth for direct reports

✅ Guide direct reports and cross-functional partners in prioritizing initiatives and allocating resources

✅ Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships

✅ In addition to the essential duties mentioned above, other duties may be assigned

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of creative, strategic, and operational tasks, requiring strong leadership and project management skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field

Experience: 5-7 years of relevant experience and 5+ years of leadership experience

Required Skills:

• Visual Merchandising Expertise
• Fashion & Trend Awareness
• Innovative Thinking
• People Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Project Management
• Resource Allocation & Prioritization
• Vendor Management
• Design Software Proficiency
• Communication
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Retail Market Understanding
• Financial Acumen

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, SketchUp, and Excel

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in visual merchandising, leadership experience, and proficiency in relevant design software are well-suited for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for this role and experience level)

Benefits:

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-Based Incentives
• Annual Merit Review
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Director-level role in retail with the given experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, qualifications, and market conditions.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically department stores and omnichannel retailing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees, with a large retail footprint and extensive e-commerce presence

Founded: 1858, with a rich history and iconic status in American retail

Company Description:

• Macy's is America’s store for life, offering quality fashion at affordable prices
• Operates approximately 640 locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam
• Known for iconic events like the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Committed to community involvement and giving back through various charitable initiatives

Company Specialties:

• Retail
• Omnichannel retailing
• Department store operations
• E-commerce
• Visual merchandising

Company Website: http://www.macysjobs.com?rx_source=linkedincompanypage

ASSUMPTION: Macy's is a well-established retailer with a strong brand and extensive retail presence, offering applicants a stable and reputable work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Director-level, with significant leadership responsibilities and strategic decision-making

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the General Merchandise Manager (GMM) or Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM) for a designated family of business

Work Arrangement: On-site, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to senior leadership roles within the visual merchandising or broader retail organization
• Expansion of responsibilities to oversee additional families of business or geographic regions
• Development of skills in strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and vendor management

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the visual merchandising and broader retail organization at Macy's.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment, with opportunities for on-site work at retail stores

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States

Geographic Context:

• New York City is a major global hub for fashion, retail, and entertainment
• The corporate office is located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to public transportation and various amenities
• The role may require travel to retail stores and other locations within the region

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible schedule based on department and company needs

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Macy's corporate office is dynamic and fast-paced, with opportunities for collaboration and growth within the retail industry.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Visual merchandising expertise and creativity
• Leadership and team management skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Alignment with Macy's brand and company culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your visual merchandising experience, leadership skills, and relevant achievements
• Prepare examples of your visual merchandising work and be ready to discuss your creative process and decision-making
• Research Macy's brand, company culture, and recent initiatives to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the organization

ATS Keywords: Visual Merchandising, Retail, Leadership, Fashion, Trend Awareness, Project Management, Resource Allocation, Vendor Management, Design Software, Communication, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, Retail Market Understanding, Financial Acumen

ASSUMPTION: The application process at Macy's is competitive, and candidates with strong visual merchandising portfolios, relevant experience, and a passion for retail will have the best chances of success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• InDesign
• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• SketchUp
• Excel

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant design software is essential for this role, as it is used to create visual merchandising concepts and presentations.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer First
• Integrity
• Respect
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality customer experiences
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you incorporate customer feedback and insights into your visual merchandising strategies?
• Describe a time when you had to manage a tight deadline and multiple projects simultaneously. How did you prioritize your workload and ensure successful delivery?
• How do you foster a culture of acceptance and respect within your team, and how have you handled conflicts or disagreements in the past?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Macy's company values and work style, and can demonstrate their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, will be well-suited for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing business opportunities, architectural considerations, traffic flow, and the intersection of art and science in visual merchandising strategies
• Adapting to changes in fashion trends, customer preferences, and retail market dynamics
• Collaborating effectively with various internal and external stakeholders
• Managing budgets and ensuring cost controls are maintained

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth, requiring strong leadership, project management, and adaptability skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other visual merchandising roles, this position offers more strategic decision-making and leadership responsibilities
• Macy's is a well-established retailer with a strong brand and extensive retail presence, providing applicants with a stable and reputable work environment
• Career progression in visual merchandising or retail roles at Macy's may involve expanding responsibilities, overseeing additional families of business, or moving into senior leadership positions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and development within the visual merchandising and broader retail organization at Macy's.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive visual merchandising strategy for a new product launch, including concept design, prop sourcing, and installation planning
• Creating a seasonal fashion trend report and corresponding in-store visual merchandising concepts to drive sales and customer engagement
• Managing a team to execute a large-scale visual merchandising event, such as a holiday campaign or promotional sale

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, creative, and operational aspects of the Director, Visual Creative Planning role at Macy's.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the most challenging visual merchandising project you've managed, and how you overcame any obstacles you faced?
• How does the visual merchandising team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and merchandising, to ensure consistent branding and messaging across channels?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the visual merchandising and broader retail organization at Macy's?
• How does Macy's support work-life balance for employees in this role?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in the retail market or customer preferences, and how you responded to maintain business success?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, company culture, and long-term career prospects at Macy's.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your visual merchandising experience, leadership skills, and relevant achievements
• Prepare examples of your visual merchandising work and be ready to discuss your creative process and decision-making
• Research Macy's brand, company culture, and recent initiatives to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.