Aesop has carefully cultivated a work environment in which our employees are constantly challenged to do their best. Our company is determinedly creative, intelligent and progressive, and nurtures these qualities by employing people who share our passionate interest in design, innovation, and incisive enquiry across all fields.

Our organisational culture is entirely unique, distinguished by an uncommon blend of courtesy, cordiality and intellectual energy. We seek those who can bring a wealth of life experience and inspired ideas to our table.

In return, we provide comprehensive induction and training programmes, and encourage an inclusive culture that nurtures enduring professional relationships. We also appreciate the benefits that flow from our employees’ external pursuits.

We raise our bar high at Aesop and never lower it; this is one of the keys to our success and one of the many reasons why people wish to work here. If you would like to join Aesop, we invite you to peruse our current career opportunities.

Position Purpose –

Aesop Visual Merchandising endeavours to develop unrivalled design and creativity that challenges and excites, through concepts that resonate with local communities and honour our environment. Visual Merchandisers at Aesop curate a full sensory and spatial experience that does not concede to the mass approach; we create distinctive retail campaigns, installations, photographic sets and events that are executed with formidable artistry. We are storytellers, delivering a unique three-dimensional approach that drives intrigue and further dialogue in store that converts pedestrian to customer.

The Visual Merchandising Coordinator, Store Openings, will oversee the execution of global VM guidelines across all Europe, Middle East and Africa new signature stores and counters in the growth pipeline. This includes retail campaigns, new store openings, merchandising, and balancing our creative standards with retail expectations.

The role will be responsible for communicating information that is critical to the success of the visual merchandising displays and providing training to the retail teams, ensuring the Aesop visual language is consistently maintained across all newly opened doors.

The VM Coordinator will follow the guidelines as provided by the Global Head Office, interpreting them locally in each location in conjunction with the Visual Merchandising Manager, Europe. You will be required to travel regularly for this position, working across large-scale regional projects from concept to opening phase. This is a full-time role, located in London.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to –

• Support the Visual Merchandising Manager Europe in the execution of all customer facing visual merchandising activations in conjunction Aesop values, strategy and business needs
• Attend and / or facilitate all store opening meetings, share updates internally with key partners through relevant communications
• Actively coordinate procurement and sourcing of bespoke props and furniture for all store openings. Raise Visual Merchandising stock orders and raise purchase orders for all store outfits
• Prepare and execute operational merchandising and photoshoot planograms for all store openings. Team lead for retail photoshoots to be featured on Aesop channels
• Collaborate with key functions including Marketing, Store Design, Retail Operations and Training to successfully deliver each project. Nurture relationships with regional external fabricators, contractors and photographers
• Co-ordinate trackers and planners to ensure each store opening project is delivered within the set time frame and budget
• Inspire and train retail teams to be aware of Aesop VM guidelines, including but not limited to, product display, demonstration area, back of house, POS, lighting and so forth

To be successful, you will have –

• 3 - 5 years’ visual merchandising experience within a commercial or retail space

• Fluent English written and spoken skills are essential, a second language is beneficial

• Understanding of Aesop’s visual culture and a passion for the brand - Experience in prop sourcing for specific project briefs

• The ability to communicate detailed visual concepts both verbally and graphically

• Experience building out project timelines and milestones while engaging and gaining approval from all necessary stakeholders

• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Microsoft Office (PPT, Excel)

• Ability to work across multiple projects running alongside each other

• A collaborative approach and meticulous level of detail in all endeavours

When submitting your application please ensure that you include a copy of your portfolio in a PDF format.

Aesop is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organisation. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey.