Project Manager

The Regional Project Manager at Guerlain MEIA is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end project management of all new construction and renovation projects within the Middle East, Africa, and India (MEIA) region. This encompasses all channels, including direct-to-retail, wholesale, spa, and travel retail. This role involves strategic planning, performance analysis, and the implementation of best practices to enhance the brand image and achieve business goals. A high degree of self-determination and self-motivation is essential for this role, as it requires the ability to proactively identify opportunities for improvement, take initiative in implementing changes, and maintain a strong commitment to achieving excellence and increasing desirability at every touch point.

1. Project Management:

• Oversee and lead team for all phases of boutique construction and renovation projects, from initial planning and design to final execution and handover, across all channels (direct-to-retail, wholesale, spa, and travel retail).
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with architects, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks and challenges.
• Ensure all projects adhere to Guerlain's brand standards, quality guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver and implement the brand's image across all points of sale, including permanent, semi-permanent, pop-ups, and temporary spaces, aligning with channel-specific requirements.
• Project manage and coordinate the fit-out for new store openings and ongoing refit/refurbishment projects.
• Elevate in-store experiences through timely support and follow-up of maintenance in partnership with the construction team.

1. Visual Merchandising:

• Lead and manage the visual merchandising team, providing guidance, direction, and support to ensure effective execution of visual merchandising strategies across the MEIA region and all channels.
• Collaborate with the marketing and retail teams to develop and implement visual merchandising guidelines for new constructions and renovations, adapting strategies per channel.
• Ensure visual merchandising standards are consistently maintained.
• Oversee product launches and in-store animations, ensuring seamless execution and retail excellence that aligns with the brand experience across all channels.

1. Capex & Cost Controlling:

• Develop and manage CAPEX budgets for all construction and renovation projects across all channels.
• Track project expenditures and ensure adherence to budget guidelines.
• Identify and implement cost-saving measures where possible.
• Provide regular reporting on CAPEX spending to senior management.
• Stringent review of all Purchase orders and spending whilst never sacrificing quality.

1. Collaboration & Communication:

• Key contact to HQ teams in Paris and markets across MEIA.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including retail operations, marketing, finance, commercial and supply chain, to ensure projects align seamlessly with the business needs across all channels.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
• Communicate project updates to all stakeholders efficiently.
• Build relationships and collaborate with global brand teams.
• Create briefs to enable clear communication with global brand teams and local suppliers.
• Liaise with the global brands team on the Middle East personalization plan.

1. Supplier & Retailer Relations:

• Manage suppliers, ensuring high-quality production, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling brand expectations.
• Act as an expert in specifications, signing off technical plans, and ensuring quality assurance.
• Upskill retailers and agents in elevated execution and coach them to success.
• Liaise with retailers to get approvals and ensure the brand image is consistent.

1. Implementation & Analysis:

• Conduct field visits to ensure the brand image is implemented perfectly, identify best practices, and analyze competitor activities.
• Manage all budgets and oversee the dashboards of the department.

1. Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to the development and execution of retail strategies and business plans.
• Manage Retro Planning effectively, ensuring team communication and issues are identified early.
• Maintain a full calendar of previous, current, and future projects.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in retail project management, including construction and renovation.
• Knowledge in Sketchup, and Autocad
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of visual merchandising principles and practices.
• Familiarity with CAPEX budgeting and financial management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel within the MEIA region.
• Languages: English is essential. Arabic and/or French is beneficial.