Director, Global Visual Merchandising

The Director, Global Visual Merchandising leads the global visual presentation strategy for TUMI, with a focus on in store VM strategy, windows, interiors, product storytelling, directives, and consistent execution across all channels. This role translates brand, product, and marketing priorities into compelling visual concepts and practical store-level guidance for Full-Price, Outlet, Travel Retail, shop-in-shop, showroom, and select third-party locations.

Leading a North America–based team with global influence, this role partners closely with Creative Services, Marketing, Product Design, Planning, Merchandising, Store Design, Retail & Wholesale leadership, Procurement, vendors, and regional teams to ensure visual programs are creative, commercially effective, operationally executable, on time, in line with the Brand strategy and within budget. The ideal candidate is a strong visual storyteller, practical operator, and collaborative leader with deep experience in retail visual merchandising and global execution. This is a hybrid role; we work on site 4 days and remotely 1 day weekly.

Global Visual Merchandising Strategy & Standards

• Lead the global visual merchandising vision for TUMI retail & wholesale environments, ensuring visual presentation is consistent, elevated, commercially relevant, and aligned with brand and business priorities.

• Develop global visual standards for windows, interiors, fixtures, product displays, signage, props, and customer-facing merchandising moments.

• Translate seasonal brand stories, product launches, marketing campaigns, and commercial priorities into visual concepts that are clear, compelling, and executable at store level.

• Ensure visual merchandising direction supports multiple store formats, including Full-Price Retail, Outlet, Travel Retail, shop-in-shop, showroom, and select third-party environments.

• Partner with international regional teams to adapt global direction appropriately while maintaining brand consistency, including partnering with regional pop-ups.

• Review visual execution and performance after key rotations, identifying opportunities to improve presentation, clarity, customer engagement, and commercial impact.

Window Programs

• Own the global window strategy, planning calendar, creative development, production process, and execution standards for all channels.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Product Design, Planning, Merchandising, Creative Services, and regional teams to develop monthly and seasonal window concepts that support product focus, brand storytelling, and business goals.

• Oversee the creation of window concepts, renderings, specifications, production timelines, installation guidance, and communication tools with both internal and external partners.

• Manage vendors and production partners to source, assemble, ship, and support implementation of window elements for domestic and international locations.

• Ensure global window programs are designed for practical store-level execution, delivered on time, within budget, and adaptable across store formats and market needs.

• Provide specifications and guidance to support local sourcing or production where appropriate.

• Evaluate window performance after rotations and share insights with key partners to inform future concepts.

Interior Merchandising & Directives

• Lead the development of monthly and seasonal interior merchandising directives that support product launches, core assortments, promotional periods, and business needs.

• Create clear, visually engaging guidelines for product placement, fixture usage, front tables, nesters, wall bays, signage, props, and key storytelling zones.

• Partner with Merchandising and Planning teams to align floor plans, product priorities, and assortment strategies with visual execution.

• Manage the end-to-end directive process, including sample coordination, shot lists, photography, layout, image editing or rendering, feedback collection, updates, publishing, and global communication.

• Develop visual direction for Full-Price, Outlet, Travel Retail, shop-in-shop, and showroom environments.

• Create promotional and sale merchandising guidance that maintains brand standards while supporting business objectives.

• Lead the development and maintenance of visual communication tools, including global window & interior merchandising calendars, directive libraries, seasonal binders, and internal VM resources.

Store Design, Fixtures & Client Experience Support

• Partner closely with Store Design to ensure store layouts, fixtures, lighting, visual features, props, and merchandising tools support strong product presentation and an elevated customer experience.

• Provide visual merchandising input for new store openings, relocations, renovations, showroom updates, and special retail activations.

• Support the development of interior props, product-specific displays, fixture enhancements, and visual packages that strengthen seasonal storytelling and store navigation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure customer-facing brand moments are cohesive across windows, interiors, showroom presentations, events, and select third-party environments.

• Provide VM direction for outposts, activation spaces, collaborations, capsule launches, PR events, and special business needs where visual presentation supports the brand experience.

Production, Vendor & Budget Management

• Manage the production and execution process for windows, interior props, visual tools, signage, graphics, fixture enhancements, and related VM materials.

• Lead vendor relationships, including briefing, sourcing, estimating, sampling, production tracking, quality review, shipping, and installation support.

• Partner with external vendors to identify & procure cost-effective solutions while maintaining brand standards and execution quality.

• Develop, manage, and monitor department budgets, including windows, props, visuals, installations, shipping, travel, and other VM-related expenses.

• Track timelines, approvals, and deliverables to ensure visual programs launch on schedule and within budget.

• Anticipate operational challenges and create practical solutions that support store execution across markets.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop a North America–based Visual Merchandising team, providing clear direction, coaching, prioritization, and accountability across creative and operational workstreams.

• Influence and guide VM partners through global standards, seasonal direction, execution guidance, and ongoing communication across various international regions.

• Manage direct and indirect team relationships across markets to support consistent global implementation.

• Build strong partnerships with Creative Services, Marketing, Product, Merchandising, Planning, Store Design, Retail Operations, PR, Wholesale, Travel Retail, and regional business teams.

• Communicate visual direction clearly to internal teams, field partners, vendors, and global stakeholders.

• Present concepts, strategies, and execution plans to leadership and cross-functional partners.

• Maintain a practical, solutions-oriented leadership style, balancing creative ambition with operational feasibility, store realities, timelines, and budget requirements.

- Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Visual Merchandising, Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive visual merchandising experience within a corporate retail environment, with at least 5 years of leadership experience overseeing visual merchandising strategy, windows, interiors, directives, production, and store-level execution across multiple markets and retail formats.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, with strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, as well as Microsoft Teams and other collaboration tools. Comfortable adopting new digital and AI-enabled tools that improve creative development, communication, workflow, and execution.
- Must have knowledge of product placement, fixture development and visual display, as well as the ability to communicate creative and artistic expression.
- Demonstrated ability to translate brand, product, and marketing strategies into commercially relevant visual storytelling.
- Strong attention to detail, design aesthetic and excellent organizational skills.
- Experience developing visual merchandising programs for multiple store formats, ideally including Full-Price Retail, Outlet, Travel Retail, shop-in-shop, showroom, and/or wholesale environments.
- Proven ability to lead a team, influence cross-functional partners, and guide regional or global stakeholders.
- Experience managing vendors, production timelines, shipping, installations, and budgets.
- Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and practical execution requirements clearly.
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills across internal and external partners.
- Self-starter with ability to take initiative, ownership, and accountability.
- Photography, rendering, or visual communication experience preferred.
- Ability to travel both domestically and internationally.
- Flexibility to support regions across multiple time zones.
- Accessories, travel, luxury, premium lifestyle, or specialty retail experience preferred.
- Ability to perform physical tasks as needed, including lifting and carrying items up to 30 lbs.
- Associate Benefits:
- Career pathing
- Work-life balance
- Training
- Paid time off
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Discount
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance with partial employer contributions, vision insurance, company-paid basic life insurance, Accidental Death & Disability Insurance, Supplemental Life insurance, 401(k) with a company match, and commuter benefits.
- This role may have the opportunity to earn an annual target bonus based on several factors including Company and individual performance, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s bonus plan in effect from time to time. Details regarding the plan are outlined in each employee’s plan agreement.