What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Retail Experience Marketing position at Lids?
About Our Company
Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.
We currently operate 1,300 brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids have built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.
General Position Summary
This position is responsible for shaping and executing the visual merchandising strategy to deliver an inspiring and cohesive customer experience across all Lids retail locations. This role collaborates closely with merchandising, marketing, creative, and planning teams to ensure that in-store displays, window presentations, and product assortments align with brand standards and seasonal priorities. The Manager oversees the production and distribution of print and digital collateral, manages budgets, and supports cross-functional initiatives, including events and partnerships. Success in this position requires strong leadership, project management, and communication skills, as well as a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sales growth in a dynamic, multi-location retail environment.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities
- Create and evolve the Visual Merchandising strategy to maintain an inspiring customer experience in stores.
- Strategize and execute on in-store merchandising updates in partnership with the Merchandising and Brand Marketing teams along with sport seasonal priorities.
- Work with creative team to print and implement window displays, window refreshes, and in-store displays as aligned with merchandising updates and seasonal strategy.
- Collaborate with merchandising team on mannequin styling and storytelling.
- Coordinate with merchandising and planning teams on store assortments.
- Partner with mall marketing, digital, and print team leads to ensure cohesiveness across all marketing platforms.
- Elevate brand visual standards in existing stores and create materials to ensure uniform execution excellence across the fleet.
- Manage signage program and oversee production of collateral.
- Support cross-functional partners such as Events, Popups, Marketing, Wholesale, Store Planning, and Merchandising with brand initiatives when needed.
- Plan and maintain in store print content calendars for all retail concepts and countries
- Collaborate across Marketing team to ensure timely creative delivery
- Work with external/internal translation resources to ensure accuracy
- Work with external Print vendors to ensure all print needs are communicated
- Manage and maintain print distribution lists for all in store print jobs
- Manage budget, approve invoices, maintain financial controls
Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Job Required Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or related field. Certifications in retail management, or customer experience as plus
- 3-5 years of experience in retail management, visual merchandising, or customer experience roles
- Proven track record of leading teams and driving sales growth in multi-location retail environments
- Experience with event planning, marketing campaigns, and partnership development
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); intermediate Excel skills required
- Familiarity with retail management software, POS systems, and inventory management tools
- Ability to analyze sales data to identify market shift/changes and create reports
- Leadership: Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop retail teams
- Customer Service: Commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Organization & Multitasking: Strong prioritization and project management abilities
- Time Management: Able to independently prioritize multiple tasks/projects to meet deadlines and timelines cross-functionally.
- Problem-Solving: Quick thinker, adaptable to changing business needs
- Financial Acumen: Experience with budgeting and cost control
- Visual Merchandising: Understanding of store layout optimization and display strategies
- Digital Proficiency: Comfortable with digital marketing and social media
- Adaptability: Ability to be flexible and pivot on project initiatives in a fast pace work environment.
Preferred Job Required Knowledge & Skills
Education
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