Kate Spade Area Leader

About Kate Spade

Kate Spade is a vibrant American luxury lifestyle brand known for its spirited New York sensibility, joyful color, and polished modern femininity. Founded in 1993, the house has grown from an iconic handbag label into a global name spanning accessories, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, home, and lifestyle. As an employer, Kate Spade offers a creative and collaborative environment where individuality, optimism, and thoughtful design are central to the culture. Part of Tapestry, Inc., the brand provides opportunities across retail, merchandising, design, digital, marketing, and corporate functions, inviting talent to contribute to a distinctive vision that celebrates wit, elegance, and everyday sophistication.

Role & Responsibilities

• Meet and exceed store and area sales plans while controlling expenses and improving key metrics across the multi-store district through leadership, coaching, and personal example
• Partner with store leaders on business-driving initiatives and develop store-specific business plans to optimize sales development
• Communicate and achieve store productivity targets including sales per hour, average daily transactions, units per transaction, and capture rate
• Conduct regular store visits to ensure brand standards are maintained, expectations are met, and action plans are developed to advance business performance
• Model and supervise the selling environment, providing consistent coaching on sales training processes to ensure exceptional client service and sales excellence
• Implement and monitor visual merchandising directives to maintain impeccable brand standards throughout the area
• Act as liaison between stores, corporate partners, buyers, and visual director to ensure merchandise assortments reflect brand strategy and inventory levels meet business needs
• Oversee payroll budgets and weekly schedules to ensure appropriate sales floor coverage and control labor costs
• Lead recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of store team members; develop a leadership talent pool to achieve succession planning goals
• Ensure implementation of store training and development programs including new hire onboarding, clienteling standards, and sales training
• Conduct weekly touchpoints with each store leader to review all business aspects including merchandising, staffing, and operations
• Perform annual performance evaluations for direct reports and provide feedback on leadership and associate reviews
• Oversee coordination of new store openings and renovations including hiring, orientation, and team training
• Maintain inventory control to ensure shrinkage remains below 1% and oversee inventory movement across the area
• Analyze and react to business trends regarding assortment and communicate sell-through, stock levels, and sales opportunities

Qualifications

• Passion for excellence and consistent ability to exceed goals
• Proven track record of developing and retaining top talent
• Demonstrated ability to drive positive year-over-year business results
• Exceptional client service skills and brand ambassador mindset
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Solid retail math and P&L management experience
• Proficiency with retail operating systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Strong problem-solving capabilities and work ethic
• 5+ years of management experience in luxury goods or comparable retail environment with clienteling focus
• Experience with financial management including sales growth, data interpretation, payroll budgeting, and expense control
• Proven leadership in attracting, developing, and motivating talent with ability to navigate change and lead through ambiguity
• Understanding and ability to communicate the Kate Spade New York brand aesthetic, philosophy, and lifestyle

Skills

Experience

5+ years of management experience in luxury goods or a comparable retail environment with a focus on clienteling and financial management

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 98,000 to USD 150,000 per annum.

Benefits

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k), paid paternity and maternity leave, commuter benefits, disability insurance, and tuition assistance

Culture

Kate Spade fosters a workplace culture rooted in optimism, creativity, and a distinctive sense of playful sophistication. As an employer, it encourages collaboration, individuality, and an entrepreneurial spirit, empowering teams to bring joyful, customer-focused storytelling to every aspect of the brand experience.

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.