Chanel Fragrance & Beauty Director, Travel Retail

About Chanel

Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and implement growth strategies for UK & Ireland Travel Retail and South Africa, aligned with CHANEL's long-term vision and regional Fragrance & Beauty strategy
• Lead evolution of operating models across Travel Retail and South Africa to build agility, resilience and effectiveness in a volatile geopolitical and economic context
• Translate market shifts, geopolitical and economic changes into actionable strategies that protect business continuity and unlock future growth
• Set mid-term and yearly plans, budgets and KPIs using performance data, market insights and traveller behaviour to maximize selective growth
• Build senior, trust-based relationships with Travel Retail operators, airport stakeholders and distributor partners to secure strategic locations, visibility and optimal operating terms
• Lead strategic negotiations to align partnerships with CHANEL's commercial ambitions and supply chain requirements
• Shape South Africa's development roadmap to increase brand desirability and strengthen distributor capabilities
• Elevate CHANEL's luxury image across all touchpoints through exceptional retail execution, visual merchandising, service standards and client journeys
• Ensure flawless execution of campaigns, launches and activations across Travel Retail and South Africa in partnership with Marketing, Learning, Visual Merchandising, CRM and Digital teams
• Oversee operations through teams and partners, ensuring strong execution across retail standards, staffing, stock, logistics and efficiency
• Manage distributor planning, inventory and operational performance in South Africa while supporting CHANEL's sustainability ambitions
• Build and develop a high-performing organization capable of delivering growth, operational excellence and transformation
• Set clear objectives and KPIs, creating accountability while empowering teams to lead with agility, ownership and collaboration
• Lead through influence across Global and local teams, operators and partners to ensure alignment and a coherent CHANEL experience

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Travel Retail, duty-free, or distributor-managed markets within luxury, beauty, premium retail or comparable consumer environments
• Proven P&L ownership with strong capability in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and complex negotiations
• Strong understanding of Travel Retail operators, distributor models, retail operations and luxury brand building
• Strategic vision and strong business acumen with ability to translate data and insight into actionable plans
• Transformational mindset with ability to navigate VUCA conditions and build agile, resilient business models
• Inspirational leadership and influencing skills with ability to motivate teams and collaborate across senior stakeholders
• Integrity, ethics and strong judgement in relationships with operators, partners, vendors and internal stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience in Fragrance & Beauty or key account management in luxury sector

Skills

Experience

Significant experience in Travel Retail, duty-free environments, commercial leadership or Fragrance & Beauty key account management, ideally within luxury, beauty, premium retail or a comparable consumer sector. Proven track record of P&L ownership, strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, performance management and complex negotiations. Strong experience managing distributor-led markets and building long-term partnerships with Travel Retail operators.

Education

Not specified

Workplace

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance covering pre-existing medical conditions with ability to add family members; Online GP App with 24/7 appointments available within 24 hours; Cycle Scheme participation for tax-exempt bike and/or accessories; Pension and Life Assurance; Retail Discounts across multiple retailers; Employee Assistance Programmes and Other Support Lines; Arts & Culture Ticket Discounts across major London attractions; CHANEL Product Discounts and Employee Only Sales; Service Awards Programme offering CHANEL Products, Retail Vouchers and Additional Holidays across milestones.

Culture

Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.