Head of Retail at Velvet by Graham & Spencer

About Velvet by Graham & Spencer

Velvet by Graham & Spencer is a reflection of the laid-back, elevated California lifestyle. Beginning in 1997 as an aspiration to create the perfect tee, we have evolved into a global contemporary fashion brand known for our meticulous craftsmanship, soft fabrics, and timeless style. We are seeking a strategic leader who embodies our values of quality and sophistication to guide our retail division into its next phase of growth.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Head of Retail Operations to serve as the Department Head for our retail business. In this pivotal role, you will own the top and bottom line of the department, balancing high-level strategic growth with day-to-day operational excellence.

You will lead a unique organizational structure where you are the primary touchpoint for the field. You will directly manage our fleet of Store Managers, while simultaneously guiding two specialized Senior Managers (Retail Experience and Retail Operations) to execute your vision. You will be the architect of our store profitability, the driver of our omnichannel integration, and the lead on fleet expansion and optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Financial Management

• P&L Ownership: Take full responsibility for the retail department’s top and bottom line. Develop and manage departmental budgets, labor modeling, and expense controls to maximize profitability without compromising the customer experience.
• Fleet Strategy: Lead all initiatives regarding the physical footprint of the brand. This includes building the strategy for new store openings and assessing market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Omnichannel Integration: define and execute a cohesive strategy that blurs the lines between our e-commerce and brick-and-mortar channels, ensuring a seamless customer journey (BOPIS, endless aisle, ship-from-store).

Operational Excellence & Infrastructure

• Tech & Procurement: Oversee the evaluation, procurement, and management of the retail tech stack (POS, workforce management, traffic counters).
• Supply Chain & Inventory: Lead inventory management strategies to ensure optimal stock levels across the stores. Handle all supply negotiation and management to ensure stores are equipped efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Process Improvement: continuously assess and refine back-of-house operations, creating SOPs that allow store teams to focus less on administration and more on selling.

Team Leadership & Organizational Structure

• Direct Store Management: Serve as the direct reporting line for all Store Managers. You will be the primary bridge between HQ and the field, fostering a culture of accountability, open communication, and brand passion.
• Senior Management Leadership: Manage and mentor two direct reports who will support the execution of your day-to-day strategy:
• Senior Manager – Retail Experience: Focusing on visual merchandising, styling, clienteling, and in-store culture.
• Senior Manager – Retail Operations: Focusing on logistics, policies, compliance, and facilities.
• Talent Development: Coach and mentor your direct reports and store leaders, building a pipeline of talent and maintaining high employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5 years of retail management experience with contemporary brands, with at least 3 years in a Director or Head of Retail capacity within the contemporary fashion or luxury sector.
• Travel: Comfortable with travel and in person work 5 days a week
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to manage complex P&Ls, draft budgets, and drive profitability. You must be comfortable analyzing financial reports and taking decisive action based on data.
• Operational Expertise: Proven experience with inventory control, tech stack implementation, and vendor negotiation.
• Leadership: A unique ability to manage a wide span of control (managing both corporate managers and field leaders simultaneously). You are a player-coach who is not afraid to visit stores and get hands-on.
• Omnichannel Mindset: A deep understanding of how digital and physical retail intersect and experience implementing tools that support this.
• Communication: Clear, concise, and transparent communication style. You can translate complex corporate goals into actionable directives for store teams.
• Cultural Fit: You understand and represent the Velvet aesthetic—sophisticated, relaxed, and quality-obsessed—and can act as a brand ambassador.

Salary: $130,000 - $150,000