Kate Spade Store 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

• Lead the store to maximize productivity and profitability by building a high-performing team, elevating the service environment, and driving results through clienteling, omnichannel sales, and operational excellence.
• Model Kate Spade New York service behaviors and selling standards, coaching associates in real time to deliver a premium client experience.
• Drive clienteling and omnichannel strategies through consistent CRM and client-book usage, proactive outreach, thank-you follow-ups, and achievement of KPIs, including conversion, average order value, units per transaction, virtual appointments, ship-from-store, and buy online, pick up in store.
• Empower the team to resolve customer issues promptly and use social-selling programs, including livestream shopping where applicable.
• Collect and share customer feedback and product insights with leadership to inform decisions and improve the overall experience.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and motivate a high-performing team aligned with Kate Spade New York’s brand values.
• Set clear goals and provide ongoing coaching and performance management, including regular check-ins and annual evaluations.
• Recognize and reward strong performance and address underperformance through targeted development plans.
• Build bench strength and foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse culture that supports growth and authenticity.
• Own store financial performance by forecasting, planning, and delivering sales and productivity goals.
• Analyze selling reports and business trends to identify opportunities and implement action plans.
• Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional partners in visual merchandising, operations, human resources, merchandising, and marketing to execute strategies that drive results.
• Communicate Kate Spade New York’s aesthetic, philosophy, and lifestyle to team members and clients.
• Ensure visual directives are executed consistently and store maintenance standards are upheld, creating compelling, brand-right storytelling through displays and windows.
• Oversee operational procedures, including opening and closing routines, cash handling, bank deposits, and facility security.
• Manage scheduling and payroll within budget to maintain optimal sales-floor coverage.
• Protect inventory integrity through accurate processing of markdowns, transfers, damages, shipping, and receiving.
• Ensure compliance with loss-prevention, safety, and policy standards; lead regular store meetings to support alignment and communication.
• Use Microsoft Office and CRM systems to manage reporting, communication, and operational tasks efficiently.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of store leadership experience in retail or service; luxury or premium experience preferred. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Proven sales leadership, coaching and development, stakeholder management, strong communication, conflict mediation, time management, and data-driven decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with CRM and clienteling tools; social media literacy and understanding of live and virtual selling trends.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, peak season, high-traffic retail days, and public holidays.
• Ability to lift at least 25 lbs. regularly and up to 50 lbs. occasionally, and to climb, bend, kneel, and maneuver through the sales floor and stockroom.
• Strong English-language proficiency (for EU).

Skills

Experience

At least 3 years of store leadership experience in retail or service; luxury or premium experience preferred.

Education

A combination of education and experience will be considered.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, 401(k), paid parental leave, commuter benefits, 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.