Senior Director, Visual Merchandising and Buying

We are UMG the Universal Music Group. We are the worlds leading music everything we do we are committed to artistry innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music music publishing merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters and we produce distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

How we LEAD:

The Sr. Director of Visual Merchandising & Buying is a high-impact executive leader responsible for driving exponential retail growth and brand elevation across the NYC store. This role integrates visual storytelling with sophisticated merchant analytics to architect immersive retail environments that maximize revenue and solidify the brands footprint translating the global music culture into a tangible retail experience.

By leveraging UMGs roster of artists and iconic IP the role bridges the gap between trend analysis assortment architecture and physical executionturning the NYC flagship into a stage for exclusive artist collaborations high-fidelity sound integrations and experiences that resonate with the pulse of the music industry. The Sr. Director spearheads this transformation ensuring that the intersection of fashion and the UMG music sphere creates an unparalleled sensory destination for the modern consumer.

How Youll CREATE:

Executive Leadership & Visual Strategy:

• Strategic Market Growth:Architect comprehensive visual merchandising strategies for the NYC location that directly correlate with increased foot traffic conversion rates and YOY sales growth.
• Flagship Excellence:Direct the conceptualization and execution of high-profile NYC window stylings and in-store activations ensuring the store serves as the global benchmark for brand innovation.
• Executive Stakeholder Management:Serve as the primary liaison between labels executive leadership and local/global partners providing high-level feedback on product performance and localized market trends.
• Talent Development:Lead and mentor store leadership teams on advanced visual techniques and brand aesthetics fostering a culture of excellence and obsessive attention to detail.

Assortment Architecture & Merchant Integration:

• KPI-Driven Merchandising:Analyze sell-through data inventory levels and performance reports to pivot visual strategies in real-time optimizing floor layouts for maximum square-footage profitability.
• Assortment Balance & Planning:Ensure the stores assortment is balanced across labels departments seasonality tours and color palettes; identify product gaps and provide competitive insights to inform buying decisions.
• Program & Category Management:Support the management of key programs including carryover styles and new launches ensuring critical product elements are prioritized within the stores floor plan.
• Style Tier Prioritization:Assist in prioritizing high-growth styles within the brand to develop balanced line plans that inform regional buying and merchandising strategies.

Market Intelligence & Trend Analytics:

• Trend Research & Analysis:Identify external marketplace trends and monitor the competitive landscape in NYC to inform product development and visual placement.
• Influencer & Social Media Integration:Track social media trends and influencer partnerships to identify emerging product opportunities ensuring the NYC floor reflects of-the-moment social insights.
• Runway & Designer Documentation:Stay informed on runway trends and fashion week events to identify emerging innovations translating high-fashion concepts into accessible retail displays.
• Competitive Benchmarking:Execute comprehensive marketplace research to ensure brand positioning aligns with the NYC market across style color and price point.

Operational Excellence & Administrative Oversight:

• Operational Optimization:Oversee the stores visual budget and manage administrative workflows ensuring all stores possess premium resources and well-maintained visual collateral.
• Resource Allocation:Partner with key business stakeholders and respective business leaders to ensure the store has all necessary tools to meet brand standards including the maintenance of visual inventory.
• Agile Market Response:Maintain a consistent physical presence providing physical support for high-priority installations overnights and holiday events.

Bring your VIBE:

• Proven track record of scaling retail revenue through visual innovation and merchant strategy in a major metropolitan market.
• Expertise in multi-unit flagship management and data-driven assortment planning.
• Ability to translate runway and social media trends into commercial visual directives.
• Open and flexible availability to oversee high-priority installations including evenings weekends and holidays to meet the demands of the retail cycle.
• Agile Market Response:Remain proactive in identifying shifting consumer behaviors in NYC implementing rapid-response floor moves and signage updates to capitalize on emerging trends.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner with Marketing and Inventory teams to ensure product stories are cohesive across all channels and that physical installations support broader digital and brand campaigns.
• Market Ambassadorship:Represent the brands visual identity at major NYC industry events and off-site installations ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of the retail landscape.
• Executive Presence:Maintain a consistent physical presence across the NYC store providing high-level guidance on complex floor moves and ensuring white-glove standards are met at every touchpoint.

• Expertise in managing high-volume traffic.
• Ability to translate complex data sets into actionable visual merchandising directives.

Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial global organization where authenticity boldness creativity connection drive and insight arent just valuestheyre how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):

• Comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage

• Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services

• Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants

• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes spa treatments meal services travel and so much more (up to $720/year)

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

• 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions plus an additional UMG contribution

A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees

• 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees

• 2-weeks paid Winter Break

• 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)

• Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

• Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Job Category:

Salary Range:

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors which may include as applicable the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position years of relevant experience specific and unique skills level of education attained certifications or other professional licenses held and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. All candidates are encouraged to apply.