Boutique Manager (Soho)

Universal Genève; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision benefits

401k with match

Parental leave

Employee discount

Gym reimbursements

Education assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Universal Genève in New York is seeking a seasoned Flagship Boutique Manager to lead the brand's first Americas flagship, building the team from the ground up and defining the boutique's identity. You will recruit and mentor a Concierge and Client Advisors, cultivate high-value client relationships, and create bespoke clienteling strategies aligned with the Maison's prestige.

This role combines entrepreneurial leadership with luxury hospitality, P&L ownership, and close collaboration with the UG

Qualifications

• 8+ years in a senior leadership role in luxury retail.
• Proven ability to drive high-value client business.
• Deep knowledge of the New York and US luxury market.
• Expert in relationship management and clienteling.
• Strong communication and leadership to build a flagship team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a flagship team including an Assistant Boutique Manager and Client Advisors.
• Define and implement bespoke clienteling strategies to boost loyalty.
• Own P&L and drive commercial success for the flagship.
• Establish partnerships with Geneva's elite ecosystem and host private viewings.
• Oversee daily operations, inventory, and security to maintain high standards.

Skills

Luxury retail leadership

Clienteling

Relationship management

Team leadership

P&L ownership

Hospitality

Job description

If you are a proactive professional who understands the luxury watch market and seeks to build something truly historic, we invite you to join us in our revival. You will play an essential role in opening a completely new chapter for "Le Couturier de la Montre" as we establish our global retail foundation in the prestigious city of New York City.

Universal Genève, founded in 1894, is an iconic Swiss watchmaking Maison celebrated for its rich heritage and timeless, functional elegance. Known as the “Couturier de la Montre,” the Maison unites technical excellence with refined design, crafting timepieces with the same precision, creativity, and attention to detail as a couture creation.

Universal Genève lives between heritage classic and expressive modern, bringing together its rich heritage with a contemporary and expressive vision.

Today, Universal Genève has relaunched its heritage brand. Its revival is shaped by exceptional timepieces and a commitment to offering a client journey that is seamless, personal, and elevated.

At Universal Genève, every experience is crafted with intention. Every gesture, every interaction, and every detail is tailored to the individual rather than the catalogue.

The Leader We Seek

You are an inspirational leader and a self-starter ready for a true entrepreneurial challenge. As the Flagship Boutique Manager for our New York boutique, you are at the center of Universal Genève’s historic revival. Because this is the very first boutique to be established for the brand in the Americas region, you are stepping in to define the flagship’s identity and build the team from the ground up, selecting and leading an Assistant Boutique Manager and a team of Client Advisors to bring this new era to life.

Your Craft

Client Experience & Hospitality

• You will act as the perfect host, delivering an exceptional, personalized client experience for local and international clientele where every gesture is uniquely tailored, never off-the-rack or scripted.
• You will deliver a threaded journey, guiding the relationship seamlessly from first inquiry to final delivery with absolutely no handoffs.
• You will know how to read the room to anticipate the client's mood and collection, building bespoke clienteling strategies to boost loyalty.
• You will take complete ownership as a master of service recovery, ensuring that if an issue arises, you “stitch” it before the client even flags it.

Expanding the Legacy

• You will act as our primary brand ambassador, representing Universal Genève at the highest level to introduce the reborn brand to an exclusive circle.
• You will build active, high-level strategic partnerships with Geneva's elite ecosystem to make the flagship a highly recommended destination.
• You will design and host highly exclusive private viewings and tailored experiences that showcase our mechanical mastery.
• You will cultivate proactive growth by identifying and connecting with high-value individuals, fostering influential contacts across the city.

Commercial & Operational Excellence

• You will drive a high-value client business, taking full P&L ownership and acting as a true entrepreneur to ensure the flagship's commercial success.
• You will monitor market trends and business metrics, adapting strategies based on data to consistently exceed financial targets.
• You will oversee daily operations, inventory, and boutique security to maintain a flawless, high-standard back-of-house environment.
• You will partner with the Maison to recruit and build a team from scratch, overseeing a team of client advisors and a concierge who perfectly embody the brand.
• You are an inspirational, proactive leader who elevates the craft and breathes life into the Maison's culture of prestige.
• You will coach and mentor the team directly on the boutique floor, refining their skills in relationship management and high-end hospitality.
• You will ensure seamless cross-department collaboration with the UG Headquarters team and the client advisor team, upholding our strategic vision in all interactions.

What Will Make You Successful

• You bring at least 8 years of experience in a senior leadership role overseeing a luxury retail environment. While a background in fine watchmaking is preferred, an exceptional track record in high jewelry, hospitality or luxury fashion is highly valued.
• You possess a deep understanding of the luxury watch market and have a proven track record of driving high-value client business.
• You bring a profound knowledge of the New York and US market. An established local network is considered a distinct advantage.
• You are a true expert in relationship management and clienteling.
• You deliver exceptional, personalized client experience and design bespoke clienteling strategies to boost loyalty among your collectors.
• You are an eloquent, refined communicator. You articulate the Maison's reborn vision flawlessly to both exclusive collectors and internal teams.

We encourage everyone to bring true authenticity to work and contribute to our shared mission to redefine luxury. We prioritize the well-being of our employees by fostering an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion, where every voice is heard and valued.

We believe that happy, healthy employees are the key to success, which is why we offer competitive benefits, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• FSA & HSA
• Group life insurance and disability benefits
• Paid parental leave and adoption support
• Gym and Vision reimbursements
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount

The range of this position is $110,000 - $130,000 annually. Several factors, including your specific skills and experience, geographic region, or other relevant factors, will determine your actual salary

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to hold, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Universal Geneve is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.