S e n i o r C r e a t i v e M a n a g e r
Topshop Topman, Global Flagship
December 2019 - February 2021
Pre pandemic
- Authority over the implementation of the Topshop Topman creative brand vision in the Global flagship store with an annual turnover of £12 million.
- Worked alongside senior stakeholders including store and brand Directors to dictate and define the direction of window and in-store creative displays, influencing creative brand strategy - with a focus on driving sales.
- Designed creative schemes across Topshop Topman’s Global flagship store including seasonal set-ups and new season window displays.
- Oversaw all creative projects across various stages of completion, responsible for all project implementation and successful delivery.
- Worked with prop and print suppliers to brief, tender and produce a range of products as part of creative schemes to ensure meticulous attention to detail is paid throughout the process.
- Managed global flagship store creative budget totalling £500,000 - independently and as part of wider brand and store spend.
During pandemic
In 2020 I worked from June - December. During the 6 months I was working I:
- Managed reduced global flagship creative budget totalling £110,000, whilst maintaining pre-pandemic creative brand vision. This meant consolidating spends; investing in better longer last equipment, and breathing new life into older season or spare equipment.
- Worked hands-on to install and maintain new window and creative in-store displays. This encompassed every aspect of our team’s remit including prop building and installation; mannequin styling and seasonal updates; and graphic design, printing, and installing.
- Worked with finance and payroll teams to manage people spends and utilise furlough and flex furlough to support window and in-store creative display launches.
- Worked with senior stakeholders on team restructures, influencing reduced payroll budgets to ensure our team was still able to achieve forecast workloads and maintain creative brand vision.
C r e a t i v e M a n a g e r
Topshop Topman Global Flagship
April 2019 - December 2019
- Delivered the Topshop creative brand vision in the Global flagship store with an annual turnover of £12 million.
- Designed and implemented creative schemes across Topshop’s Global flagship store including seasonal setups and new season window displays.
- Worked with senior stakeholders across the store and wider business to implement and interpret the brand guidelines.
- Partnered with internal teams to deliver 360 project approach including marketing, digital and social.
- Produced renders for creative schemes and graphic applications using Adobe software (Illustrator /Photoshop) and SketchUp.
- Created and managed critical paths for all project installs and launches, managing multiple creative projects across various stages of completion.
- Worked alongside prop and print suppliers to brief, tender, and produce a range of products as part of creative schemes to ensure meticulous attention to detail is paid throughout the process.
- Managed project budgets ranging from £5k - £100k - independently and as part of wider brand and store spend.
- Managed a team of 10 display assistants, stylists, and graphic designers who support delivering creative projects across the store.
- Coached and mentored creative team through 1-2-1’s, reviews, and appraisals driving team development and creative output.
- During a restructure I was pooled with the equivalent Creative Manager (Topman) for a dual-branded role.
- I was successful and received a 95% mark in the assessment, and awarded the combined Topshop Topman Creative Manager role.
- As part of my new role my remit now included Topman Oxford Circus which included a large-scale window and two floors with various displays and creative installations, some unique to Topman.
- My team increased and I managed 20 display assistants, stylists, and graphic designers who supported delivering creative projects across the store.
G l o b a l C r e a t i v e C o o r d i n a t o r
Topshop Topman Head Office
April 2019 - December 2019
- Coordinated Global retail creative schemes for Global Topshop Topman store portfolio including seasonal set ups and new season window displays.
- Produced detailed prop briefs for supplier tendering with bespoke requirements for over 50 key Global markets, including UK, USA, Europe, and Australia.
- Edited and adapted prop briefs for franchise markets, taking into account various market restrictions and requirements.
- Tendered out briefs and allocations to suppliers across the Globe - negotiating with suppliers on costs, lead times and specifications to ensure projects are within planned costs and deadlines.
- Oversaw and analysed material and production processes considering budgetary restrictions and brand portfolio scales of economy (top, mid, all store tiering).
- Used Adobe design software (Illustrator, Photoshop) and SketchUp produce renders for window schemes and seasonal in-store creative displays for key flagship stores.
- Oversaw complex project budgets between £5-£600k.
- Simultaneously oversaw department CPA and project calendar, taking into account multiple market requirements and key commercial, cultural and creative events.
- Directly communicated (email, phone, communication packs) project timelines, specifics, and expectations with field teams to ensure seamless and successful launches.
- Indirectly communicated with Global stores, producing informative and inspirational communication packs utilising Adobe design software (InDesign, Photoshop).
- Organised and implemented store visits for larger scale project sign off.
- Supported and contributed on International inspirational trips compiling information and inspiration for assessment.
- Managed assistant, supervising workload and output across all minor and major creative projects.
- Managed assistant’s development encouraging best practices and progression within the role.
- Researched and analysed forthcoming trends within design conceptualising for a retail environment, ensuring the brand is always at the forefront of the industry.
I have also worked for Jaeger and Wallis head offices in creative and visual retail roles.
Click through to my LinkedIn via the main menu to find out more.