NARS Resident Senior Artist - Stratford Boutique, London (37.5 Hours)

Resident Senior Artist

Reports to: Senior Area Sales & Education Manager NARS
Job Location: NARS Boutique, Westfield - Stratford London
Contract type: Permanent Contract, 37.5 hours per week over 5 days

MISSION

NARS inspires self-expression, creativity and artistry - bringing high-fashion, high-style and forward thinking to beauty. As a Supervisor you will be bringing this vision to our customers on counter. Your passion for artistry, service and leading people is key. As part of the counter management team, you will help to deliver a successful business through the motivation and engagement of your team members.

We are part of the Shiseido Group, and in joining NARS you will not only receive innovative and artistry led training, a generous discount on our award winning products and the chance to be part of a fast growing brand – you join an incredible group network of brands, where developing our people is at the heart of our business.

ABOUT SHISEIDO

Our mission : Beauty Innovations for a Better World

 Founded in 1872 in Japan, Shiseido Group is within the Top 5 leading cosmetics companies in the world and aims to inspire a life of beauty and culture. Operating in 120 countries with 42,000 employees and 70 nationalities, Shiseido offers a unique selection of Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance brands with a projected turnover over £7.0bn in 2022. Celebrating 150 years of heritage in 2022, Shiseido constantly creates high-quality, safe and innovative cosmetics and develop brands deeply loved by people from all over the world, in line with our mission: Beauty Innovations for a Better World.  Did you know that Shiseido is the most awarded company in terms of innovation with a record 26 FSCC Awards?

 Shiseido UK & Ireland plays a central role in the EMEA region, leading the Digital acceleration agenda thanks to a team of local experts, but is also constantly reinventing its Retail footprint in this buoyant market.

To deliver our strong Growth & Profitability ambitions, we will follow 4 strategic streams

1.            Leverage our unique portfolio of Beauty brands across all 3 categories

2.            Stay agile and capture new retail opportunities

3.            Customer-driven decisions

4.           Create a great place to work in Beauty

Our first strength is Make-up, led by NARS, the No 8 brand in the UK market with incredible success globally.

Skincare is a key priority for expansion, with Shiseido having huge growth potential in UK&I, and also the spectacular launch of Clé de Peau Beauté in Harrods and H-Beauty.  Drunk Elephant joined our portfolio at the beginning of 2021 bringing its unique tone of voice together with its amazing formulations. In 2023 we are planning to launch ULE a newly created Skincare brand with breakthrough credentials around Sustainability, as well as expanding Gallinée, our most recent acquisition from 2022 and specialized around skin microbiome.

We are also growing fast in Fragrance with brands such as Issey Miyake, Narciso Rodriguez, Tory Burch, Zadig&Voltaire and Serge Lutens.

 Our clients include high-street retailers such as department stores, drugstores & chains as well as online pure players and specialty stores. We also have 4 boutiques and 3 direct e-commerce websites.

ABOUT NARS                      

Sophisticated, witty and effortlessly chic, NARS embraces individuality, providing the vivid colour and luxurious texture needed to express personal visions of beauty.

Created in 1994 by the iconoclastic makeup artist François Nars, the brand has become a modern cult classic, synonymous with artistry, exquisite design, richly adventurous colour and witty irreverence. Iconic award winning products, number #1 selling Orgasm blush and Radiant creamy concealer to name a few. Individual, self-expression that is empowering, Inclusive and has character & personality. Unexpected, disruptive in the beauty industry, Bold, rule breaking and forward thinking.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

SALES PERFORMANCE:

• Drive the Counter appointment business to deliver KPI expectations of pre-booked appointments and conversion rates. Deliver elevated level of service and artistry skill to customers through service menu.
• Achieve personal goals and targets set on a daily basis
• Follow direction of NARS Lead Artist & Events Manager for event calendar focuses and attend development sessions set out to provide skills required to deliver the quarterly events strategy. Manage events through the Pro Program (Boutiques Only)
• Lead on and off counter events in line with given targets, that focus on customer acquisition and driving incremental sales.
• Identify external partnerships opportunities to reach a new customer base outside of store.
• Build the counter event strategy and activity plans focused around new product launches, core focus areas and implement in collaboration with the Business Manager
• Build solid relationships with relevant stake holders, department store managers and staff as well as external businesses for events and collaborations.

EXPERIENCE AND ENGAGEMENT: CUSTOMER AND ARTIST COMMUNITY

• Be the NARS brand ambassador through image, artistry, passion and performance.
• Role model NARS image and performance guidelines with a focus on the NARS experience when serving customers.
• Manage virtual tools and services available to the customer including consultations, on line masterclasses and social media communication.
• Collate results from event and appointment activities carried out and report to Business Manager. Recommend customer engagement programs such event formats that will enhance their experiences and ultimately drive sales. 
• Bring NARS artistry to life through on counter activity days, briefings and reinforce brand authority to customers.
• Coach Artists in the art of customer behaviours and consumer trend
• Ensure best practice and counter standards are met to ensure the customer experience
• Represent the counter and have a proactive presence on NARS Facebook group and the NARS Digital Studio Insta page & App 
• Customer first approach always

ARTISTRY:

• Lead team meetings and conduct artistry/service driven workshops based on store specific training needs
• Develop the in store Artists on their artistry, product knowledge and application techniques that will directly support their own service and productivity.
• Conduct shop floor coaching/co-serving to develop the skill set of our artistry team.
• Support management team in identifying service and artistry development opportunities and work alongside Regional Trainer where appropriate.
• Attend Senior Flagship advanced artistry training sessions
• Support National Lead Artist and Events Manager in NARS in Artistry development and brand building projects when required.
• Carry out trade tests for potential new employees or promotions.

PROFILE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Previous experience of working within the retail and beauty industry in high profile locations
• Proven high level of artistry experience through portfolio (on or off line)
• Professional appearance & grooming standards represent NARS style grooming guidelines
• Goal oriented with a strong commercial mindset.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Understanding of coaching and people development.
• Flexible working days including weekend and evenings.
• Flexibility is required should the situation arise where you will need to support in a leadership capacity on the shop floor
• Alignment with the group’s “Trust8” working principles: Think Big, Take Risks, Hands on, Collaborate, Be Open, Act with Integrity, Be Accountable, Applaud Success

DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS IN:

• On counter leading from the from the front in excellence in performance to target and an elevated level of artistry and service that exceeds customer expectations.
• Has management experience and has excellent leadership skills.
• Demonstrated growth of appointment business in store.
• Experience of leading an event / outreach strategy with proven results

The benefits you’ll love…

30 days holiday, including bank holidays, increasing with service

Generous discretionary commission scheme

Contributory pension scheme – 5% employer contribution

Generous product allocation & discount

Enhanced parental allowance

Life Assurance up to x2 your salary

Employee referral bonuses

Access to Retail Trust

Annual performance and development reviews so you know your career is going in the right direction

POSITION REFERENCE NUMBER: 12984