Brand Experience Manager

NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP

Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) has been the premier destination for luxury fashion and goods, superior service, and an elevated retail experience for more than a century. Today, 9,000 associates contribute to the success of NMG’s brands: Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, and Horchow. There are 38 full-line Neiman Marcus stores in cosmopolitan markets across the United States and a sophisticated digital platform that attracts shoppers worldwide. Bergdorf Goodman operates two stores in landmark locations on Fifth Avenue in New York City and BergdorfGoodman.com, catering to loyal luxury customers globally. NMG also owns five Last Call stores and Horchow.com, an e-commerce site that offers premium furniture and home decor.

As an organization, NMG is on a transformational journey to become the preeminent luxury customer platform. NMG continues to deliver the best integrated customer experience and has evolved the business to succeed in the ever-changing retail landscape. NMG is a relationship business. What differentiates the organization from other luxury retailers are its unique assets: a strong store footprint, the most knowledgeable associates, an engaging online experience, solid brand partnerships, innovative digital and in-store experiences, the most loyal luxury customer base, and a strong balance sheet.

Our customers will always be at the center of everything NMG does. The company continues to reinvest in new technologies that enhance the customer experience. NMG meets customers where they are. NMG’s goal is to offer customers a seamless experience across its stores, online, and remote digital selling.

NMG’s priority is to develop a highly engaged and high-performing team where everyone belongs. The business attracts and retains best-in-class talent through unique offerings provided to associates in addition to standard employer benefits. These include an innovative way of working, associate discounts on merchandise, tuition reimbursement, associate hardship fund, and paid time off to volunteer, to name a few.

As part of NMG’s Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) work, the organization is focused on driving its core value of being “All Heart.” NMG is also assessing its current environmental and social impact while developing a three-year plan to lead the luxury industry in its commitment and transparency to environmental and social sustainability. NMG strives to become an employer of choice, driven by a culture of Belonging. A dedicated team focuses on this journey, directly impacting how NMG conducts business throughout the workforce, workplace, and marketplace dimensions.

NMG has incredibly passionate and committed corporate and store associates. NMG offers associates an environment where everyone feels welcomed, nurtured, and empowered. Our associates are the heart of NMG. As an organization, NMG leads with love – love for customers, love for associates, and love for brand partners.

Summary Statement: The Brand Experience Manager is responsible for managing all branding and marketing activities at the store level including but not limited to event planning, community engagement, and social media, in order to develop and strengthen the overall Neiman Marcus Brand.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Responsibilities & Duties D evelops detailed action plans for events applicable to stores and manages execution in partnership with Selling Managers, Group Managers, Corporate Special Events, Client Development, and Senior Store Leadership Manages the scheduling, budgeting, internal and external communications, planning, execution, production, breakdown, wrap up, and reporting of each event Identifies, develops, and manages deep community relationships with philanthropic organizations, social groups, and corporate partnership Generates excitement around the NMG Brand by creating inviting and compelling activations and events; balances this with a commercial mindset to help events generate both short- and long-term ROIs with clear selling goals and appropriate Associate follow up Plans seasonal events calendar across Market / Metro Owns Brand Experience budget for store Drives market (and / or home store) teams towards achieving overall store Client Development objectives and selling KPIs in collaboration with Client Development (includes gathering and formalizing best practices) Owns and manages writing copy and production of all invitations, letters, social media, Sales Associate Emails, and evites for store events in support of the Client Development Manager Owns Social Media initiatives and builds engaging and compelling Social Media campaigns Leads the All Heart program in-store and coordinates community service projects for the store team in partnership with HR and other store teams as applicable Manages store communications programs, as applicable (e.g. LYNX e-mail program) Builds recommendations and strategies to develop loyalty initiatives Provides insights on / supports Senior Regional Brand Experience Manager with strategic direction of loyalty programs Collaborates cross-functionally with Merchants, Communications, Marketing, Creative, and brand partners Sets goals for team in alignment with overall Brand Experience and store strategies Owns and maximizes Assistant Brand Experience Manager’s performance and career development Recruits, hires, trains, and develops team, as applicable

Qualifications 4-7 years of relevant experience 4-year degree preferred History of building, leading, motivating, and coaching teams to achieve objectives Advanced business acumen and analytical skills Experience presenting at the executive level Strong attention to detail "Win together" mentality Proficiency with social media Experience with InDesign preferred Basic proficiency with MS Office Product Suite, specifically PowerPoint and Word Certain roles may require standing, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds Associates must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on business need, which will include evenings, weekends, and holidays Travel may be required

Competencies

Passion for People Creates and maintains an environment of trust and collaboration by encouraging team members to share feedback and make recommendations for improvement Resolves conflicts as soon as they arise, finding common ground and settling disputes fairly and with minimal disruption Structures messages in a clear logical manner using the most appropriate communication medium Responsible for the performance and career development of direct reports Actively recruits and hires quality talent to add to team, planning for and creating talent bench Trains and develops quality talent by supporting team members in identifying career development goals and opportunities for growth and exposure Evaluates and calibrates performance fairly and provides feedback with consistent follow-up Assures that rewards are tied to objectives and requirements Promotes a positive environment of achievement, recognition, and celebration Serves as a role model by establishing and adhering to high ethical standards Leads team in appropriately enforcing policies and procedures, ensuring understanding from all Associates Speaks with truth and candor, modeling how to challenge the status quo appropriately Empowers and coaches team to take ownership of internal and external customer problems and resolve them quickly Creates a gracious and welcoming environment for internal and external customers as well as other partners

Passion for Business Stays informed of business drivers, industry trends, and competitors, applying knowledge to identify and pursue new opportunities Establishes well-thought-out plans and manages execution of plans, anticipating and adjusting for risks and roadblocks Tracks progress against departmental strategies to execute properly and successfully Proactively shares information, best practices, and new ideas with team to improve business and performance Demonstrates strong decision-making skills (e.g., problem definition, data analysis, hypothesis testing, asking for input) Uses critical thinking skills to analyze problems and to recommend viable solutions Personally champions change initiatives, explaining benefits and challenges of change to team and others impacted

Passion for Personal Growth Continuously builds skills and knowledge through training, coaching, and career experiences Demonstrates a working knowledge and appreciation of the NMG business and the fashion industry Conveys energy and enthusiasm for NMG and personal work Adapts personal approach in response to diverse situations and people Responds to unexpected changes in work environment with creativity and resilience Establishes and upholds high personal standards for individual work and environment Maintains a customer-centric mentality versus a solely store-centric one

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of duties, responsibilities, or activities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information Posting Date: Jul 17, 2023 Overtime Status: Exempt

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