Director - Consumer Sector - Retail Strategy

Simon-Kucher; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 215,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company matching

Comprehensive health benefits

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Simon-Kucher is hiring a Director-level individual to support their rapidly growing Retail business in Chicago. The role requires expertise in revenue management and merchandising, with responsibilities including cultivating client relationships, leading a team, and driving innovative consulting strategies. Candidates should have a strong background in the Consumer sector, specifically Retail, and a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience. Competitive compensation includes a salary range of $215,000 to $275,000 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years of experience in a professional services environment.
• Proven business consulting expertise in commercial topics.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill insights.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate trusted-client relationships and develop project proposals.
• Lead a talented team to develop impactful client insights.
• Drive Simon-Kucher's growth in the Consumer sector, specializing in Retail.

Skills

Revenue management

Merchandising

Client relationship management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Undergraduate degree

MS, MA, MBA, or other advanced degrees

Job description

In the United States - New York | Chicago | Boston | Atlanta

Simon-Kucher's sole focus is on unlocking better growth for our clients, increasing their long‑term sales, value, and profit. We achieve this by optimizing every lever of their commercial strategy – brand and value proposition, assortment, product lifecycle, pricing and promotions, omnichannel, marketing, merchandising, loyalty, and consumer segmentation.

Our North American Consumer sector is growing rapidly and serves a broad base of industry‑leading and high‑growth clients across Retail, Leisure, Travel, & Tourism and Consumer Goods. We provide clear, and actionable growth strategies to our clients using advanced analytical techniques, large‑scale primary consumer research, and behavioral science.

We are hiring a director level individual to support our growing Retail business. Our focus for this role is on expertise in revenue management and merchandising coupled with broader end‑to‑end commercial excellence experience. This individual will join a high‑performing unit delivering best‑in‑class topline strategies across the retail universe.

We are looking for talented individuals to amplify the growth of this dynamic team. Given the growth we are experiencing, we expect this role to develop quickly into a leader for the practice with the opportunity to advance quickly.

What Makes Us Special

• Become part of a unique entrepreneurial team. Think independently, use your initiative, and take some risks. Entrepreneurship is a powerful force that drives the growth not only of our firm but our clients and people.

• Unlock the power of opportunity. Advance your career in a thriving company with a startup feel. We invest in your professional development every step of the way.

• Enjoy balance and flexible working. Be empowered to do your best work – whether it’s from home or in the office.

• Prioritize your health and well‑being. No matter where you live, we offer a competitive suite of health benefits to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

• Invest in your future. All US and Canadian employees enjoy 401(k) & RRSP benefits with company matching.

• Work in a values‑driven culture. At Simon‑Kucher, our vision is to become the world’s leading growth specialist. Our values guide the way we do business and communicate our distinctiveness. They sum up what we stand for, influence our culture, and drive how and why we do things.

How You Will Create An Impact

• Cultivate trusted‑partner client relationships, source project opportunities, and develop project proposals leading to revenue generation.

• Bring knowledge across commercial and go‑to‑market topics within retail including but not limited to pricing strategy and setting, promotion effectiveness, markdowns and clearance optimization, assortment optimization and white space identification, merchandising and value proposition, consumer segmentation, loyalty program design, and omnichannel strategies.

• Have deep expertise in sub‑industries within Retail, such as specialty retail, apparel/fashion, footwear, retail services across brick‑and‑mortar stores and online channels.

• Lead and guide a large and incredibly talented team of junior consultants to develop innovative and actionable insights and recommendations using data, analytics, and market research that deliver impactful recommendations for clients.

• High‑energy, hands‑on, creative consulting leader who can work with clients, staff, and Partners in a non‑hierarchical model.

• Effectively develop project team members by providing coaching, training, and feedback. Demonstrate an elevated level of empathy and emotional intelligence when managing conflict and/or communicating change.

• Owner of multiple client engagements and projects within Consumer sector, specifically Retail organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, scale, and manage delivery which balances customer success, project profitability, and employee satisfaction.

• Actively participate in proposal development and pre‑sales meetings with potential new clients to address their needs, priorities, and challenges, while expanding SK's commercial growth strategy footprint, offerings, and client base.

• Proactively steer the continued growth and development of Simon‑Kucher's Consumer sector, specializing in Retail practice by contributing to priorities (e.g., developing new capabilities, supporting thought leadership articles/research relevant for clients), by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities (e.g., lead generation, new content creation, supporting end‑to‑end proposal development, and participating in client pitches), and proactively pursuing follow‑on opportunities with existing clients.

• Stay abreast of current business and industry trends relevant to our clients' businesses.

• Analyze existing processes and tools and recommend opportunities for continued improvement.

• Demonstrate an elevated level of empathy and emotional intelligence when managing conflict and or communicating change.

• Play an integral role in the recruitment and integration of new consultants with a focus on the Retail industry.

• Be a leader in the firm and contribute to Simon‑Kucher's culture and success.

Your Profile

Outstanding drive, determination, and desire to be part of a growing, top‑tier consulting firm.

• Strong knowledge of and passion for the Consumer sector, with specific focus on the Retail industry.

• An undergraduate degree is required; MS, MA, MBA, or other advanced degrees are preferred.

• Minimum 6+ years of experience in a professional services environment, ideally in management consulting, serving the Consumer sector, specifically the Retail industry.

• Proven business consulting expertise in commercial and go‑to‑market topics.

• Access to an existing network within the Consumer Retail industry in North America, preferably with senior executives within Retail organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain deep relationships with senior clients.

• Demonstrated record of achievement in selling and managing new and follow‑on engagements.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill insights/takeaways from large sets of data.

• Demonstrated record of solving complex problems, directing teams, and completing challenging project activities within tight project timelines.

• Record of accomplishment of managing multiple engagements, including work plans, deliverables, budgets and schedules, and accounts receivable.

• Effective presentation and communication abilities to present findings, takeaways, and key recommendations to a senior audience.

• Proven ability to build, grow, and maintain a high‑performing consulting team.

• Highly inclusive and empathetic approach to leadership and team management that enables tangible return for clients and fosters cooperation across teams.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work seamlessly and collaboratively with various internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.

• Ability to travel at least 40% of the time.

Total compensation for this role includes base salary, eligibility for annual merit‑based increases, and a comprehensive benefits package.

The base salary range for this position is between $215,000 to $275,000 per year for US roles. Specific compensation within these ranges will depend on factors such as experience, skills, and location. Salary ranges are reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with market conditions.

Benefits for eligible employees include paid time off, 13 paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

About Simon‑Kucher

Simon‑Kucher is a global consultancy with more than 2,000 employees in 30 countries. Our sole focus is on unlocking better growth that drives measurable revenue and profit for our clients. We achieve this by optimizing every lever of their commercial strategy – product, price, innovation, marketing, and sales – based on deep insights into what customers want and value. With nearly 40 years of experience in monetization topics of all kinds, we are regarded as the world’s leading pricing and growth specialist.

Simon‑Kucher is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status.

We believe in building a culture that embraces belonging, creating an environment in which our people feel valued, are able to be themselves and feel their contribution matters. If we get that right, great things will happen; people will grow faster, innovate, feel valued, and create better outcomes for everyone – our people, our clients and, of course, our business.