Director of Retail Sales

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AKIRA DIRECTOR OF RETAIL SALES
In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 35+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand. AKIRA's culture has one very large, distinct difference from other high fashion competitors: Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer's needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner , and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.
The Position
Director of Retail Sales
Location
Corporate Headquarters in Chicago with 50-75% travel to 40 stores
Overview
Take charge of skyrocketing sales and building strong customer relationships across AKIRA Fashion's 40 stores. Lead our Stylists to crush sales goals by setting clear metrics (like client outreach through Endear), delivering top-notch training, managing client books, and using StoreForce to track performance in our fast-fashion world with over 60,000 SKUs. Work closely with regional managers to drive revenue, spark customer loyalty, and keep our stores buzzing with energy.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Performance & Strategy: Create bold sales plans to boost revenue; set high-impact targets for Stylists (like conversion rates and transaction values); track progress and adjust tactics to consistently surpass goals.
Clienteling Metrics & Execution: Set and enforce clear metrics (e.g., 3+ client calls/day via Endear); monitor client book growth and engagement to drive repeat business and personalized sales.
Stylist Training & Motivation: Build and lead dynamic training programs on sales techniques, client relationships, and fast-fashion trends; provide hands-on coaching and incentives to create a fired-up, competitive sales team.
Technology Utilization: Use Endear to track client outreach and StoreForce for real-time sales insights; streamline reporting and make data-driven decisions to fuel growth.
Travel & Field Support: Hit the road (50-75% travel) to check on sales performance, coach Stylists, fix gaps, and roll out initiatives that drive immediate revenue.
Customer Loyalty & Retention: Lead efforts to create personalized client experiences; promote new arrivals (60k+ SKUs) to keep customers coming back and build long-term loyalty.
Team Leadership: Hire, develop, and inspire top Stylist talent; partner with regional managers to align on goals; coach up underperformers and celebrate top performers.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Team up with merchandising, marketing, and operations to ensure product availability, promotions, and strategies align for seamless sales execution.
Financial Analysis & Forecasting: Dive into sales data, predict trends, manage P&L components, and fine-tune pricing/promotions to boost profitability and stay competitive.
Market & Competitor Insights: Keep an eye on industry trends, competitors, and customer behaviors to spot sales opportunities and adjust strategies for ongoing growth.
Qualifications
Experience: 8+ years leading retail sales, ideally in fast fashion or apparel; proven success in driving revenue, clienteling, and managing multi-store teams in high-SKU environments.
Skills: Master of sales strategy, client management, data analytics, and team motivation; skilled with retail tech (e.g., Endear, StoreForce, CRM); strong at negotiating, presenting, and coaching.
Education: Bachelor's in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or related field; MBA preferred.
Other: Ready for frequent travel; driven to exceed targets; thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy setting; deep understanding of fast-fashion trends and what drives sales.
Diversity & Inclusion
At AKIRA we believe that treating everyone in a first-class manner is essential to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our values and our community. This is deeply rooted in our company's principles, culture, and fashion. We continuously strive to cultivate a company where employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. Our unique workforce is directly linked to our success and makes us stronger collectively.
Benefits And Perks
AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and employee discount. We are committed to encouraging internal development and providing significant career enrichment opportunities. Most importantly, what has propelled AKIRA's growth and success over the years has been the dynamic culture within the company - if you're filled with passion, have a strong desire to get things done, and if you want to go to a place where you know your work matters and where you can implement your ideas and decisions, then AKIRA just might be the place for you.
Job Type: Full-time
At AKIRA, we are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation practices. The starting pay range for this position is $135,000 to $175,000 annually, based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market conditions. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the interview process.
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Location:
Chicago, IL, United States
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
Sales And Related Occupations

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