District Director-Outlet Mid West

Position Summary:

At Talbots, we help our customers to look and feel their best. The Talbots District Director leads a team in creating a hospitable environment for store associates and customers alike. The District Director is responsible for developing the strategic leadership and business acumen skills in Store Leaders to maximize store performance and profitability. They are a role model for creating memorable customer experiences and building enduring relationships with both Talbots internal and external customer. The District Director reinforces consistent selling, technology and operational standards through leading, coaching, and accountability.

Principal Account abilities & Requirements:

Strategic Leadership:

• Embodies the leadership and interpersonal savvy needed to attract, develop and retain a high performance team and build future bench
• In partnership with RVP and business partners, executes key company initiatives to ensure consistency across the organization relating to brand expression, selling culture, operations and technology
• Demonstrates strategic and collaborative leadership; is an influencer who takes smart risks and an innovative approach
• Driven to create, build and cultivate relationships with customers, amongst all levels and across all business units within the organization, particularly among peer group, sharing ideas and supporting each other for the betterment of the company as a whole
• Cultivates an environment that encourages self-accountability and drives their own professional development
• Teaches and develops skills with Store leaders to enable/empower them to be entrepreneurial business leaders
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, a high level of integrity, fiscal responsibility, critical thinking, and leadership courage
• Has strong prioritization, organizational skills and has the ability to multi-task in a fast paced, ever-changing environment

• Demonstrates elevated Strategic Business Planning skills by understanding and utilizing all company tools and resources
• Has the ability to utilize reporting to maximize efficiencies within the district and apply appropriate solves/strategies/action plans
• Stays current with the trends of the retail competitive landscape and brings innovative ideas and solutions to the business
• Ability to read and analyze Profit/Loss reports
• Entrepreneurial, innovative and creative in developing new ways to improve business opportunity

• Strive to deliver consistent incremental business results by focusing on creating experiences and deepening relationships with our customers
• Maintains a deep understanding and a clear and strategic view of our selling culture and concierge functionality (Order from store, Clienteling and communications)
• Inspire teams to make decisions that are in alignment with company events and objectives and always in the best interest of our customer
• Ability to develop and execute strategies that support new customer acquisition and builds relationships with the local community
• Leverage customer feedback and insights to develop strategies to influence our selling culture and enhance the customer experience
• Understands and leads the evolution of an omni-channel retailing environment in stores
• Consistently communicates and collaborates with Store Programs around selling culture tools, resources and activities

• Ensures store leaders are leading and embracing the technology evolution through current and future systems (Ex. Concierge, Dayforce, Workday etc.)
• In conjunction with our Store Operations and Store Support teams, ensures that stores maintain a solid foundation of operational excellence to maximize sales and profit and to minimize loss
• Ensure consistent expense management and payroll control

• Minimum of five years of multi-store leadership experience within specialty retail preferred
• Ability to have oversight to approximately 25 stores in a decentralized environment, and lead an average of 25 direct reports
• Experience and proven success as a multi-unit leader is preferred
• An essential function of the job is the ability to move about in a store including standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, climbing ladders, using stairs, carrying, bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with the body, arms, or legs, pulling and lifting objects up to 40 pounds. Sometimes these movements are made quickly and repeatedly.
• Knowledge in the latest organizational technology and the ability to adapt, role model and teach
• Flexible to frequent travel
• Open to relocating
• College degree preferred