Visual Merchandising Manager EU

ZIMMERMANN is a global luxury fashion brand, founded in Sydney in 1991 by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann. Renowned for its signature approach to sophisticated femininity, distinctive prints, and exceptional craftsmanship, the brand is present across Australia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

Nicky Zimmermann’s creative vision and Simone Zimmermann’s strategic leadership have formed the foundation of the brand’s success. Their partnership – balancing design innovation with strong commercial direction – remains central to ZIMMERMANN’s identity and growth.

Today, ZIMMERMANN continues to redefine modern luxury with collections that celebrate self-expression. Grounded in Australian sun‑soaked optimism, the brand resonates with women around the world. Our global teams are united by a shared commitment to creativity, quality, and evolving the brand with integrity and purpose.

At ZIMMERMANN, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to empowering talented individuals to build meaningful careers within an inclusive, collaborative, and forward‑thinking environment – where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated, and individuality is valued.

The Opportunity

ZIMMERMANN is seeking a talented Visual Merchandising Manager EU to lead and develop our regional visual merchandising function, playing an important role in delivering a consistent, elevated and distinctly ZIMMERMANN brand experience across our EU and UK retail network. In this position, you'll shape and execute visual merchandising strategies across store layouts, window concepts and seasonal visual directives, ensuring each touchpoint reflects the brand while supporting commercial performance.

This opportunity is ideal if you're motivated by creativity, strong visual standards, commercial awareness and team development, and enjoy translating global brand direction into impactful retail experiences across diverse markets.

As Visual Merchandising Manager EU you'll contribute to driving sales through forward‑thinking visual strategies and best‑in‑class execution across the region. You'll work closely with retail teams and cross‑functional partners to maintain consistent visual standards, support key launches and seasonal moments, and build visual merchandising capability through training, coaching and ongoing team development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

VISUAL MERCHANDISING

• Implement and maintain visual merchandising strategies to achieve exceptional presentation standards across the EU region.
• Apply industry best practice and emerging trends to deliver confident, commercially effective visual strategies.
• Develop and execute seasonally relevant merchandising plans that drive sales.
• Travel interstate as required to support store openings and training.

SEASONAL VISUAL MERCHANDISING DIRECTION

• Define seasonal vision and styling direction for the EU region.
• Communicate clear seasonal direction to the EU VM team.
• Analyse sales performance, budgets and sell‑through to inform floor moves and optimise product placement.
• Collaborate with Buying and Planning teams to ensure aligned and effective merchandising plans.
• Produce RTW & Accessories floor plans for all EU retail product launches.
• Develop launch window and mannequin concepts for approval, balancing local and national business needs.
• Review performance and refine visual direction as required.

WINDOWS

• Design elevated and achievable window and mannequin directives that reflect the brand’s seasonal vision.
• Plan and deliver fortnightly window updates aligned to commercial priorities.
• Communicate window direction via weekly VM summaries.
• Evaluate performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

STORE & STOCK PRESENTATION

• Oversee interior and exterior visual standards across all EU region.
• Ensure store environments support a luxury client experience, including cleanliness, lighting, scent, music, furniture & fixtures.
• Develop and deliver garment presentation guidelines aligned with seasonal direction.
• Conduct regular store visits to support and train retail teams and ensure brand standards are consistently met.

STORE TEAMS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

• Provide visible leadership and act as a role model for brand and behavioral standards.
• Coach and motivate team members to achieve their full potential.
• Collaborate with Retail Management to identify succession opportunities for team members interested in VM.
• Foster an inclusive, positive and high‑performing team culture.
• Deliver tailored in‑store VM training aligned to individual store needs.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Regional and Store Managers to support capability development.
• Lead and evolve the Visual Merchandising Captain Program to build VM capability within retail teams.
• Develop and maintain strong, trusting relationships with all EU Regional Retail Managers and Field Trainers, and collaborate to improve performance.

VM TEAMS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

• Lead, coach and develop the VM team to ensure consistent execution and professional growth.
• Identify and implement succession planning initiatives.
• Promote a collaborative, results‑driven and inclusive working environment.
• Deliver ongoing feedback and development support through regular store and team engagement.

ADMINISTRATION

• Manage the EU VM budget, including annual submission and ongoing expenditure tracking.
• Maintain and update VM policies, procedures and training resources.
• Develop clear, concise weekly communications covering VM direction, product and delivery updates.
• Manage the pilot store setup for new product launches.
• Plan and submit weekly store visit schedules.
• Review weekly reporting to understand performance of the EU region.

HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS)

• Uphold all occupational health and safety policies and non‑negotiable standards.
• Ensure incidents are reported promptly and appropriately to the Retail Director and HR.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Visual Standards Compliance

• 100% of stores meeting brand visual standards as measured through VM audits, store visits, and visual reporting.

Sales Uplift from VM Execution

• Sales performance vs prior period or benchmark following major floor moves, launches, or window changes.

Seasonal VM Execution Timeliness

• On‑time delivery of seasonal directives, launch directives, weekly VM direction, and ad hoc communication across the network.

Window Performance Effectiveness

• Sell‑through or high conversion of styles featured in window / mannequin presentations.

Consistency Across the Network

• Reduction in VM inconsistencies between stores, measured via weekly VM direction, store visits and leadership feedback.

VM Training Impact

• Improvement in store VM capability post training sessions (e.g. confidence, execution quality, adherence to guidelines).

Consistency in VM Direction

• Consistent sharing of weekly VM feedback directives with a high compliance rate from retail teams.

VM Team Development & Retention

• Progression, retention, and capability growth of VM Coordinators, including succession readiness.

Budget Management

• VM budget adherence, measured by variance to approved annual budget and cost efficiency of VM initiatives.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration Effectiveness

• Quality and timeliness of collaboration with Buying, Planning, Retail Management and Global VM, reflected through launch execution success and stakeholder feedback.

What You Will Bring

To succeed in this position, you will bring:

• 5+ years’ experience in visual merchandising within fashion, luxury or premium retail, including experience across multiple stores or markets
• Strong experience in developing and executing visual merchandising strategies, including store layouts, window concepts and seasonal visual directives
• A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to translate visual merchandising initiatives into improved customer experience and sales performance
• Demonstrated experience in leading, coaching and developing retail and visual merchandising teams
• Strong understanding of brand identity and the ability to maintain consistent visual standards across a regional retail network
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to collaborate across retail and cross‑functional teams
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines in a fast‑paced retail environment
• Flexibility to travel regularly across the EU retail network
• A genuine interest in fashion, luxury retail and delivering elevated in‑store customer experiences

Why Join ZIMMERMANN?

• Flexible work options that support balance and wellbeing
• Access to tailored development plans and learning opportunities
• Generous employee benefits and product discounts
• Clear pathways for career progression within a global organisation
• A collaborative, high‑performing, and inclusive team culture

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ZIMMERMANN is an equal opportunity employer. We assess all applicants based on their individual capabilities, experience, and qualifications and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you have any support or access requirements, please let us know at the time of application so we can assist you throughout the recruitment process.

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