📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Specialist, Strategic Partnerships
🔹 Company: Holt Renfrew
🔹 Location: 60 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Retail
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Identifying and maintaining strategic partnerships with vendors
- Driving business outcomes through strong relationships and effective communication
- Participating in sales planning and enhancing processes to improve efficiency
- Overseeing strategic partnership programs and ensuring brand representation
- Collaborating with internal and external teams to achieve company vision
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of leadership and individual contribution, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and work with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Actively participate in annual sales and margin planning, including seasonal reforecasting
✅ Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive business outcomes
✅ Support enhancement and tracking of processes for customer experiences, marketing campaigns, and product launches
✅ Lead leased partners in Holt Renfrew sustainability initiatives
✅ Establish priorities and develop strategies to meet financial targets
✅ Build and maintain strong business relationships with vendor management teams and Holts executive teams
✅ Maximize business through potential business partners and opportunities
✅ Ensure Holt Renfrew brand representation in vendor selection, assortment, and customer service
✅ Work with other corporate departments to align goals and achieve company vision
✅ Administer, oversee, and track ongoing maintenance of Strategic Partnerships programs and processes
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking and requires strong organizational skills to manage various projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Post-secondary degree in a related field
Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in strategic partnerships, retail, or a related field
Required Skills:
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Effective communication (written and verbal)
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity
- Self-starter with a willingness to follow-up
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Passion for fashion and luxury retailing
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in luxury retail or a related industry
- Knowledge of the Canadian retail landscape
- Fluency in French (an asset)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in luxury retail or a related industry may be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Specialist role in Toronto, the estimated salary range is CAD 70,000 - CAD 90,000 per year.
Benefits:
- Competitive total compensation
- Generous employee discount
- Pension
- Health & dental benefits
- Tuition assistance
- Continuous learning and development
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility based on business needs
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail, specifically luxury fashion and lifestyle
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment
Founded: 1837, with a rich history and established reputation in the Canadian retail landscape
Company Description:
- Holt Renfrew is Canada’s hub for the world’s best fashion and beauty brands
- Committed to unparalleled retail experiences and empowering self-expression
- Dedicated to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Company Specialties:
- Luxury Retail
- Lifestyle
- Fashion
Company Website: http://www.holtrenfrew.com
ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew's extensive experience and reputation in the luxury retail sector provide a stable and established work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development within the Strategic Partnerships team or related departments
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director, Strategic Partnerships and may have supervisory responsibilities for junior team members
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific tasks or projects
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior or management role within the Strategic Partnerships team
- Expansion into related departments, such as Fashion Office, Marketing, or Operations
- Development of leadership and management skills through mentorship and training programs
ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew's commitment to continuous learning and development provides opportunities for employees to grow and advance their careers within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Upscale, luxury retail environment with a focus on customer experience and brand representation
Office Location(s): 60 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Located in the heart of Toronto's upscale Yorkville neighborhood
- Close proximity to public transportation, shopping, dining, and entertainment options
- Access to various cultural and recreational activities within the city
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility based on business needs, including occasional evenings and weekends for events or special projects
ASSUMPTION: The upscale work environment and central location provide a pleasant and engaging atmosphere for employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Director, Strategic Partnerships
- Background check and reference verification
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership and influencing abilities
- Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity
- Familiarity with the luxury retail industry and Holt Renfrew's brand
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your passion for fashion and luxury retailing in your application materials
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving and leadership skills to discuss during the interview
- Research Holt Renfrew's brand, values, and commitment to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Luxury Retail, Retail Operations, Sales Planning, Process Improvement, Vendor Management, Brand Representation, Customer Experience, Marketing Campaigns, Product Launches, Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Fashion, Luxury, Toronto
ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on their ability to contribute to the company's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Retail-specific software and platforms (e.g., inventory management, point-of-sale systems)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for the retail industry and may vary depending on the specific needs of the Strategic Partnerships team.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Sustainable
Work Style:
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven
- Strong communicator and team player
- Passionate about luxury retail and fashion
- Committed to continuous learning and development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Holt Renfrew's commitment to customer-centricity in your work?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or priorities. How did you handle it?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew's company culture emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and a passion for luxury retail, with a focus on empowering self-expression and driving positive change.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing leadership responsibilities with individual contributor tasks
- Adapting to changes in priorities and work environment
- Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
- Maintaining brand representation and customer experience standards in a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong organizational skills, adaptability, and effective communication, as well as leveraging the support and resources available within Holt Renfrew.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike related roles in other departments, this position focuses specifically on strategic partnerships and vendor management
- In the luxury retail industry, this role is unique in its emphasis on driving business outcomes through strong relationships and effective communication
- Career progression may involve expanding into related departments or advancing to a senior or management role within the Strategic Partnerships team
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique focus on strategic partnerships and vendor management within the luxury retail industry, with opportunities for growth and development within Holt Renfrew.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new process for onboarding leased vendors or conversions
- Collaborating with Fashion Office and vendor marketing teams on seasonal campaigns to drive customer engagement and sales
- Analyzing sales data and providing insights to inform strategic decision-making and improve business outcomes
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and initiatives that the Specialist, Strategic Partnerships may undertake to drive business success and enhance the customer experience.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Strategic Partnerships department?
- How does this role contribute to Holt Renfrew's overall mission and vision for the future?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
- How does Holt Renfrew support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's responsibilities, team dynamics, and growth opportunities, as well as the company's commitment to employee development and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving and leadership skills to discuss during the interview
- Research Holt Renfrew's brand, values, and commitment to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
