Director, Visual Creative - Ready to Wear

Macy's; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discounts

Performance-based incentives

Annual merit review

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Macy’s is seeking a Director of Visual Creative Planning to drive sales and customer experience by shaping innovative visual strategies. This role partners with GMMs and DMMs to translate fashion and cultural trends into engaging retail experiences that differentiate Macy’s.

The director balances creativity with commercial impact, guiding store teams, managing budgets, and leading a team of visual professionals to deliver high-quality, aspirational experiences across the customer journey.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; 5–7 years relevant experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Able to work a flexible schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of visual merchandising concepts and presentations for a designated family of business.
• Identify emerging trends and translate inspiration into new visual concepts.
• Create seasonal narratives and presentation strategies to elevate product storytelling.
• Partner with Merchants, Marketing, the Fashion Office, and Vendors to bring campaigns to life.
• Challenge conventional thinking and explore new approaches and technologies.
• Provide direction and feedback to field teams for consistent execution.
• Oversee planning and delivery of visual initiatives from concept to installation.
• Manage budgets and resources to deliver high-quality creative work.
• Develop and inspire a team of visual professionals through mentoring.
• Foster an inclusive environment that encourages bold ideas and innovation.

Skills

Visual Merchandising

Trend Awareness

Innovative Thinking

People Leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Project Management

Resource Allocation

Vendor Management

Design Software

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Retail Market Understanding

Financial Acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Be part of an amazing story.

Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.

Job Overview
The Director, Visual Creative Planning drives sales, profit, and an extraordinary customer experience by shaping and executing innovative visual strategies that bring the Macy’s brand to life. This leader serves as a strategic and creative partner to the General Merchandise Manager (GMM) and Divisional Merchandise Managers (DMMs) of a designated family of business, translating fashion, style, cultural trends, and customer insights into inspiring retail experiences that engage customers and differentiate Macy’s in the marketplace.
Acting as the visionary behind the visual expression of the business, the Director balances creativity with commercial impact, identifying new ways to tell stories, showcase product, and elevate the customer journey. They challenge conventional thinking, introduce fresh ideas and emerging trends, and continuously evolve visual strategies to keep Macy’s relevant, inspiring, and customer-focused.
The Director provides clear direction to store teams on interpreting and implementing visual initiatives while considering business opportunities, architectural constraints, customer traffic patterns, and the intersection of art, science, and retail strategy. This leader champions innovation, fosters creative excellence, and ensures visual presentations not only drive results but create memorable experiences that strengthen customer connection to the brand.

What You Will Do

• Lead the creative development of visual merchandising concepts and presentations for a designated family of business, ensuring every customer touchpoint reflects a compelling and distinctive point of view.
• Identify emerging cultural, design, retail, and consumer trends, translating inspiration into new visual concepts that keep Macy’s relevant, engaging, and ahead of customer expectations.
• Create inspiring seasonal narratives, styling concepts, and presentation strategies that elevate product storytelling and strengthen the emotional connection between customers and the brand.
• Partner with Merchants, Marketing, the Fashion Office, and Vendor Partners to bring key campaigns, fashion moments, trend stories, and special events to life across the customer journey.
• Challenge conventional thinking and continuously explore new approaches, technologies, and creative solutions that enhance the in-store experience and evolve visual standards.
• Provide direction, coaching, and feedback to field teams to ensure visual concepts are executed consistently while allowing for thoughtful interpretation based on store environments and customer needs.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of visual initiatives from concept through installation, ensuring seamless coordination across teams, vendors, and key stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets and resources to deliver high-quality creative work while maintaining financial discipline.
• Develop and inspire a team of visual professionals by fostering creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and continuous growth.
• Guide teams in prioritizing work and allocating resources to support business objectives while maintaining creative excellence.
• Foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and innovation are encouraged and valued.

Skills You Will Need

• Visual Merchandising Expertise: Deep knowledge of visual merchandising principles, store layout, and the ability to translate fashion and trend strategies into engaging in-store experiences.
• Fashion & Trend Awareness: Strong personal interest and professional expertise in fashion, styling, design, and emerging cultural trends.
• Innovative Thinking: Ability to conceptualize fresh visual strategies and integrate new technologies, research, and market trends.
• People Leadership: Proven experience leading and mentoring creative teams; fosters talent development and supports career growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds and maintains strong relationships with merchants, marketing, store teams, and vendor partners.
• Project Management: Manages multiple visual projects from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with timelines and budgets.
• Resource Allocation & Prioritization: Efficiently manages workload and directs team efforts toward high-impact business priorities.
• Vendor Management: Experience sourcing and managing external vendors for visual elements such as props, displays, and environments.
• Design Software Proficiency: Skilled in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, SketchUp, and Excel.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence across levels of the organization.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data and performance insights to drive decisions and assess visual effectiveness.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrates flexibility and creativity in solving complex challenges.
• Retail Market Understanding: Deep understanding of the retail industry, customer behavior, and how visual strategies impact sales and the customer experience.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets and align visual initiatives with profitability goals.

Who You Are

• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply. 5-7 years of relevant experience and 5+ years of leadership experience.
• This role involves performing essential job functions such as communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems. Responsibilities include the ability to access and review written and electronic information, and to move within the work environment and interact with workplace materials as needed to carry out job responsibilities.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

What We Can Offer You
Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

Some Additional Benefits We Offer Include

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.

About Us
This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - apply today!

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

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This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Additional benefit details are available at macysJOBS.com.