Alaïa Regional VIC & Client Development Manager

About Alaïa

Alaïa is a Parisian couture house defined by sculptural elegance, exacting craftsmanship, and an enduring devotion to the female form. Founded by Azzedine Alaïa, the Maison continues to unite architectural design, exceptional materials, and atelier savoir-faire within a culture that values precision, intimacy, and creative integrity. As an employer, Alaïa offers the rare opportunity to contribute to a house where heritage is not preserved as nostalgia, but advanced through innovation, discipline, and collaboration. Its teams are encouraged to cultivate excellence across design, craftsmanship, retail, communications, and operations, while upholding the discreet, uncompromising spirit that has made Alaïa a singular name in luxury fashion.

Richemont seeks a senior client development specialist to lead VIC and high-end client strategy across a regional retail network, overseeing relationship cultivation, store team alignment, and commercial activation for Alaïa. The role encompasses regional client segmentation and recruitment, training and coaching of Client Advisors across multiple doors, orchestration of flagship events and previews, and comprehensive data analysis of client performance metrics. The candidate will operate strategically alongside HQ leadership whilst maintaining deep operational engagement with store teams, serving as the primary bridge between corporate client development objectives and boutique-level execution.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and deploy annual VIC and client development objectives per store within the territory, aligned with HQ targets and Retail Manager guidance on client retention, upgrade, and recruitment
• Map the regional high-end client landscape including tier distribution, geographic concentration, and cross-door opportunities, establishing store-specific action plans accordingly
• Identify the region's top-priority VIC relationships and personally invest in the highest-potential and most strategic client partnerships, complementing store-level management
• Partner with Couture teams to identify regional Couture prospects and ensure the regional network is equipped and motivated to deliver Couture selling ceremonies to required standards
• Provide strategic guidance on local market dynamics—competitor activity, cultural calendar, wealth migration—to support store directors in adapting client approaches
• Serve as the primary interface between HQ client development strategy and store-level execution, cascading priorities and troubleshooting implementation barriers
• Design and deliver regional training programmes on VIC service standards, CRM best practices, and personalised outreach, adapting content to local market specificities
• Conduct regular store visits to audit clienteling practices, observe team behaviours, and deliver targeted coaching to store managers and Client Advisors
• Identify high-potential talent within the retail network and support their development into future in-store client development roles or Couture ambassadors
• Propose and orchestrate a regional event calendar covering in-store activations, cross-door moments, regional trunk shows, and previews with coherence to HQ animation framework and local relevance
• Develop flagship regional client experiences that leverage Alaïa's brand territories and aesthetic
• Define guest lists and engagement strategies for international Maison events, managing client logistics in partnership with HQ and store management
• Build and maintain a regional network of strategic business providers including private offices, luxury concierge services, stylists, and cultural institutions capable of introducing qualified new clients
• Identify and formalise partnership frameworks with relevant regional players, reporting opportunities to the Head of VIC Relations for brand-level validation
• Develop a systematic new client recruitment strategy including prospecting protocols, referral programmes, and community penetration plans aligned with Alaïa codes
• Consolidate and analyse VIC and high-end client performance data across the regional store network, including spend trends, tier migration, and activation ROI
• Produce structured reviews for senior leadership including monthly performance dashboards, post-activation reviews, and annual strategic assessments
• Oversee CRM hygiene standards across all regional doors, establishing consistent protocols and holding store teams accountable for data quality
• Own the regional A&P budget allocated to VIC and commercial events, allocating resources across doors and reporting on spend versus return

Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years in luxury retail with a clear trajectory including senior in-store roles such as store management, department management, or senior client-facing positions
• Demonstrated experience in a multi-door, regional, or network-level role within a luxury fashion, jewellery, watches, or lifestyle Maison
• Proven ability to influence, coach, and align diverse store teams without direct line management authority
• Solid command of CRM systems and regional data consolidation with ability to translate data into actionable strategy
• Prior exposure to budget management and A&P accountability strongly preferred

Skills

Experience

A minimum of 8–10 years in luxury retail, with demonstrable progression through senior in-store roles such as store management, department management, or senior client-facing positions. Experience in a multi-door, regional, or network-level capacity within a luxury fashion, jewellery, watches, or lifestyle house is essential. The candidate must demonstrate proven ability to influence and coach diverse store teams without direct line management authority, and possess solid proficiency with CRM systems and regional data consolidation. Prior exposure to budget management and A&P accountability is strongly preferred.

Education

Not specified; standard luxury retail professional education expected.

Workplace

Culture

Alaïa fosters an intimate, craft-led culture where precision, creativity, and respect for the maison’s couture heritage guide daily work. As an employer, it offers a collaborative environment that values artisanal excellence, thoughtful innovation, and a deep sensitivity to form, material, and timeless elegance.

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.