Retail Director

Founded in 1994, Assouline transformed the illustrated book market into a cornerstone of the luxury lifestyle. Today, we are more than a publishing house; we are the "first brand of luxury culture." From our curated boutiques to our presence in the world’s most prestigious wholesalers, Assouline provides a world of intellect and good taste.

Assouline is seeking a Director of Retail to lead and elevate our global boutique network, including our flagship locations featuring bars and restaurant concepts.

This role is responsible for driving commercial performance while preserving the brand’s distinctive identity — where retail, culture, and hospitality intersect. The Director will oversee 10 boutiques across the globe along with operations, client experience, hospitality standards, and team leadership to ensure every Assouline space operates as a destination, not simply a store. This position reports to President.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RETAIL LEADERSHIP & COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE

• Lead global retail strategy across all boutiques and locations
• Drive sales performance, profitability, and KPI achievement across the network
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis
• Identify opportunities for growth, expansion, and operational optimization

HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS (BARS & RESTAURANT CONCEPTS)

• Oversee hospitality operations in designated locations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and positioning
• Ensure exceptional service execution across bar and restaurant environments
• Partner with culinary and beverage leadership on quality integrity, programming, guest experience, and cultural alignment
• Monitor food and beverage cost controls, labor efficiency, and regulatory compliance

CLIENT EXPERIENCE & BRAND STANDARDS

• Champion an elevated, seamless client journey across retail and hospitality touchpoints
• Support the development of service standards reflective of the brand's luxury positioning and cultural mission
• Ensure boutique environments remain immersive, culturally rich, intellectually engaging destinations
• Oversee client relationship management strategy and support event programming and cultural initiatives

TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

• Lead and develop Store Leaders and Hospitality Managers
• Build a culture of accountability, refinement, entrepreneurial ownership, and shared stewardship of the brand
• Partner with HR on recruitment, succession planning, and performance management
• Ensure training programs reinforce both luxury retail excellence and hospitality sophistication

EXPANSION & NEW OPENINGS

• Support boutique launches and international expansion initiatives
• Oversee retail and hospitality operational setup for new locations
• Collaborate with Store Planning and Interiors to ensure operational functionality meets design vision and brand standards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years of senior leadership experience in luxury retail environments
• Preferred experience overseeing hospitality concepts (restaurant, bar, or cafe environments)
• Proven ability to manage multi-unit operations across multiple regions
• Strong financial acumen and P&L ownership
• Deep understanding of luxury clienteling and experiential retail
• Exceptional leadership presence and communication skills
• Global mindset and demonstrated comfort working across international regions
• Ability to balance commercial rigor with cultural and aesthetic integrity

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• The ideal candidate is both commercially sharp and culturally attuned, someone who understands that these boutiques function as intellectual salons as much as retail environments. They bring operational rigor and financial discipline while preserving aesthetic and experiential integrity.
• They are equally comfortable reviewing P&L statements as they are walking a floor, refining service posture, hosting a VIP client evening, or discussing the cultural significance of a new programming initiative. They see retail not as transactional but as relational a platform for deepening connections with a discerning clientele.
• They understand the business of luxury culture and are committed to stewarding a brand with a distinctive point of view.

Salary Range $170,000 - $200,000 plus bonus

Assouline is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law