Manager, Brand Development

SSENSE (pronounced [es-uhns]) is a global technology platform operating at the intersection of culture, community, and commerce. Headquartered in Montreal, it features a mix of established and emerging luxury brands across womenswear, menswear, kidswear, and Everything Else™.

SSENSE has garnered critical acclaim as both an e-commerce engine and a producer of cultural content, generating an average of 100 million monthly page views. Approximately 80% of its audience is between the ages of 18 to 40. It is privately held and has achieved high double digit annual growth and profitability since its inception.

SSENSE is looking for a Manager, Brand Development who will support the strategy and execution of assigned SSENSE brand development initiatives.  You will report to the Director, Brand Development, and over time, will manage a team of direct reports as the business scales. You will also work closely with several teams across SSENSE as well as a network of external partners.

In this role, you will support the launch, growth strategy, business development and day-to-day management of assigned SSENSE Brands. In addition, your insight will contribute to the development of the overarching Brand Development strategy for SSENSE and you will support the proposal and development of new portfolio opportunities.  As needed, you will also work cross-functionally to support development of new processes and tools to support the Brand Development operational platform. The ideal candidate will have had entrepreneurial and varied exposure in fashion, across a range of roles from production to marketing.  Key to your success will be fostering collaboration between teams, and using data to support decision-making.  Since this is a rapidly changing environment, passion, resilience and a team-orientation are also critical in this role.

Responsibilities

Strategy 10%

• Support the launch, overarching brand and growth strategies, business development and operations of assigned brands (including merchandising, marketing, cost structure)  
• Collaborate with Buying partners to support both the initiation of new brand development projects and the product strategy of assigned brand(s)
• Collaborate with Marketing partners to create go-to-market strategies and marketing plans as required to achieve brand awareness and top-line goals
• Support existing and help identify required infrastructure within SSENSE to foster in-development brands, including functional areas such as Finance, Logistics, Product Development + Production, Technology
• Conduct analysis and support creation of materials, such as economic models and presentations, to support approval and expansion of brand development projects

Operations 60%

• Manage day-to-day operations of assigned brand(s) (and associated internal and external partners), to ensure product launches are on time and on brand
• Provide upward communication with Director, Brand Development to align and problem-solve on required trade-offs and risk mitigation
• Support contract negotiations with external partners in order to secure favourable terms for SSENSE

Leadership 30%

• Lead hiring efforts and conduct interviews to attract and retain top talent
• Lead the creation and development of training documentation for the team
• Hold weekly one-on-ones with direct reports, conduct performance reviews, analyze individual KPIs and assess promotion readiness to help each direct report evolve in their roles
• Work with Senior Leadership to gauge and monitor team engagement and implement solutions to create a transparent, collaborative, inclusive and productive work environment
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership to establish the short term objectives for the department and ensure teams are engaged towards achieving the department's missions

• 5-7 years experience in the fashion industry, preferably with direct experience in brand management or merchandising
• Experience in a start-up is an asset
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and French, with additional languages an asset
• Working knowledge of retail economics
• Thorough understanding of the fashion industry 
• Ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis (subject to public health guidelines)

Skills

• Highly analytical with a strong understanding of retail math
• High interest in cultural movements, trends and social behaviours
• Deep industry networks
• Strong business acumen and ability to successfully operationalize change
• Collaborative and agile problem solver who can adapt to feedback
• Strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build relationships 
• Entrepreneurial mindset with an aptitude to move multiple projects forward 
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team that will be geographically dispersed
• Willingness to travel and ability to adapt to different cultures
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Unwavering personal integrity, credibility, and professionalism