Manager of Visual Merchandising – Programmable and In-Store Activations

About the Role

Responsible for overall visual merchandising strategies and project management for the programmable areas—off-pad spaces dedicated to brand activations and events for the fashion show, collab, power aisle, and front-end spaces. This role drives sales, margin, and turn while providing athletes with a great in-store experience. You will manage brand spaces from concept to execution, lead visual merchandising initiatives, and improve communication and planning processes. Partnering with the Director of Visual Merchandising (DVM), merchants, and PAR, you will strategize and develop documentation to support key merchandising ideas and store-specific initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Partner with external and internal brands to develop rotational activations for Fieldhouse stores within collab and fashion show spaces. Project manage design, merchandise planning, production, and installation.
• Lead the visual team in developing visual merchandising ‘events’ for the Power Aisle and Front End in-store areas from conception to implementation.
• Provide strong creative concepts for each in-store event, partnering with marketing and merchandising to ensure key buys and marketing ideas are incorporated.
• Initiate strategic meetings with merchants (GMM, DMM, Buyers) and the visual team to align on goals, fixture needs, programmable spaces placement, and new initiatives.
• Lead strategy and design discussions for innovation and new store initiatives, addressing needs/risks for Programmable Areas (Collab/Fashion Show/Front End/Power Aisle).
• Provide hands-on visual merchandising support during programmable floor sets in partnership with the DVM.
• Collaborate with internal partners to ensure seamless execution and implementation of product strategies across multiple locations.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in defined categories and for the global department, including documents, workback schedules, presentations, signage, and merchandise opportunities.
• Define team vision and direction, ensuring project deliverables and deadlines are met in partnership with the DVM.
• Manage all Gameplans, updates, and standards for approval by the DVM.
• Develop and communicate planning schedules for walk-throughs, ensuring alignment with global floor sets.
• Analyze merchandise receipts and replenishment for floor sets and sell-through.
• Manage communication to the field organization for kickoff meetings related to power aisle updates.
• Present Gameplan direction to field team members for discussion and idea sharing.
• Manage the programmable calendar with Visual Directors and cross-functional leaders, ensuring consistent and timely communication.
• Oversee the Visual communication process for all areas of responsibility (Gameplans, Planograms, Visual Standards Manual, and updates).
• Manage the creation of Gameplans, including strategies, merchandising details, layouts, instructions, signing, and visual presentation elements.
• Coordinate floor set builds at Lab Stores for product, marketing needs, and overall support.
• Oversee daily workflow and time management for direct reports.
• Train direct reports on file library maintenance protocols.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and collaborative skills to work cross-functionally between departments, external providers, and remote teams.
• Challenge staff for ongoing career development and coach teammates on effective communication and solution-first approaches.
• Provide timely feedback to teammates, ensuring clarity on roles and accountability.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of total experience, with 5+ years in corporate visual merchandising roles or as a District/Regional Visual Manager.
• Strong visual merchandising skills with attention to detail, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Knowledge of apparel merchandising and visual merchandising required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly in writing store directives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe InDesign & Photoshop, CAD, and Space Planning programs (JDA preferred).
• Ability to mentor team members through personal training in office and in-store settings.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with merchants, vendors, and team members in a corporate environment.
• Potential travel up to 25%.

Virtual Requirements

• Cameras must be on during all virtual interviews.
• AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) are not permitted during any part of the interview process.
• Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check, which may include ID verification.