Assistant Visual Manager – Brand Experience & Merchandising

Free People; Montecito (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

PTO

Employee discounts

Retirement savings

Job summary

Free People is seeking an Assistant Visual Manager in Montecito, CA. You will collaborate with the store team to drive visual merchandising, display, and customer experience, while supporting store operations and payroll processes.

You will lead by example, train the team on standards, participate as manager-on-duty, and help recruit and onboard new hires to strengthen the brand and elevate the guest experience in this boutique, high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ years store visual merchandising and leadership experience.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Love for the FP brand and eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a brand ambassador and reflects the company values; partners with the leadership team on the creation of an engaging visual experience that appeals to the FP customer
• Involves entire team in selling and visual initiatives that enhance the customer experience; encourages employees to build lasting relationships through personalized service, product recommendations, and connecting with the customer in an authentic way
• Takes a forward-thinking approach to the customer experience through in-store marketing, merchandising, display, and outfitting to create a compelling store environment
• Trains the team on store processes, merchandise placement, and standards; provides timely and specific employee feedback to create a culture of action and accountability
• Participates as the manager-on-duty by driving engagement in each zone through communication, adaptability, and fostering a collaborative selling environment; exhibits strong decision‑making and multi‑tasking capabilities
• Supports the Store Manager in recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent to build bench for the store; facilitates thoughtful onboarding for all new hires to drive a strong brand, customer and store connection
• Takes an active role in daily operating processes through payroll management and adapting the zone and visual support to the needs of the business
• Manages the visual direction from planning through execution to meet company expectations, budgets, and timeline; utilizes reporting tools to identify business opportunities with product placement, outfitting, and stock levels
• Drives an effective shipment and omni process to prioritize getting product to the customer; takes a forward‑thinking approach to make a strategic plan for execution and recovery of sell through and markdowns
• Adheres to store’s safety standards, inventory accuracy, reduction of product loss, and upholds all company policy and procedures to support the profitability of the store
• Leads with an inclusive and people‑first philosophy; engages employees at all levels to encourage open dialogue, reinforce follow through, and ensure that the store team is heard and supported
• Current and responds to interoffice communication while ensuring important company information reaches all levels of the team; facilitates the sharing of product knowledge, current trends, visual priorities, and brand messaging through daily meetings with the team
• Provides global product and visual feedback to Store Manager and District Manager; submits store environment photos to highlight merchandising and display updates
• Fosters a culture of strong communication and teamwork in order to ensure a balance of operational and visual priorities and to facilitate problem‑solving

Skills

Visual merchandising

Leadership

Team player

Flexible hours

Eager to learn

Job description

Free People is seeking an Assistant Visual Manager in Montecito, CA. You will collaborate with the store team to drive visual merchandising, display, and customer experience, while supporting store operations and payroll processes.

You will lead by example, train the team on standards, participate as manager-on-duty, and help recruit and onboard new hires to strengthen the brand and elevate the guest experience in this boutique, high-volume environment.