District Manager - Chicago Area

Candidate must reside in Chicago Area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of multiple stores within your district, ensuring smooth functioning and adherence to company policies and standards.
* Drive sales and meet or exceed targets by developing and implementing effective sales strategies. Monitor store performance, conduct performance reviews, and provide feedback to drive improvement.
* Drive a culture of ownership, innovation and sales focus within the team.
* Execute against financial goals/objectives while managing within store budgets for payroll and loss prevention. Manage store schedules to ensure proper staffing utilizing store traffic data.
* Present financial and operational results during monthly business review.
* Ensures brand strategy is consistently executed across all assigned stores, including customer service, product knowledge and visual merchandising standards.
* Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activities to identify sales opportunities and adjust strategies accordingly. This will involve conducting market research, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and developing sales plans.
* Ensure the success of new store openings within assigned district and provide support for new store openings outside of district.
* Drive sales through superior in store experience.
* Collaborate with corporate marketing to drive localized marketing initiatives. This will involve coordinating store-level marketing activities, ensuring compliance with brand guidelines, and evaluating campaign effectiveness.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with store managers, district teams, and corporate departments (i.e. Marketing, Retail Brand Experience team, MP&A).
* Effectively communicate and collaborate to facilitate alignment and the achievement of shared goals.
* Oversee inventory management processes, including monitoring stock levels, analyzing sales data, and collaborating with supply chain teams to ensure product availability and minimize stockouts.
* Actively participate in talent review and succession planning at the store level.
* Provide leadership and development to Area Managers, General Managers and Store Managers identifying and implementing career training needs and opportunities.
* Manage and maximize District sales and customer experience objectives by providing direction and consistent feedback to Area and Store Managers including guidance on sales techniques, customer service, product knowledge, and operational procedures.
* Maintain a full leadership complement including responsibility for hiring, training and recruiting Area Managers, Store Managers and General Managers.
* Assist in corporate training, developing curriculum and training schedules.
* Ensure compliance with company policies, legal and regulatory requirements, and maintain operational excellence. Monitor store compliance, address any issues, and ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety, and security.
* Partner with Loss Prevention and Human Resources to provide guidance and expertise in compliance with company policies and protocols.
* Organize and lead weekly store management meetings/conference calls to ensure profitability of the district.
* Manage and adhere to travel budget.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
* High School Graduate or equivalent required
* Bachelor's degree in marketing, Business, Retail Management or related field preferred
* Prior retail experience required
* 5+ years management experience required; or proven ability as a Vera Bradley General/Store Manager required
* Specialty retail or outlet sales experience preferred
* Multi-unit management experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Polite and professional
* Exceptional sales skills
* Ability to lead, motivate and promote a team environment
* Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
* Strong strategic sales and analytical mindset
* Strong PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office software
* Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
* Proactive, adaptable with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
* Available to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
* Strong team player

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Constant walking and standing; frequent bending, stooping and reaching
* Strong sensory skills such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
* Ability to occasionally lift up to 35 lbs.
* Travel up to 75% of the time and work a flexible schedule
* Valid driver's license with good motor vehicle record. Must be 21 years of age and must carry company mandated liability limits.

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

VRA offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family's health care needs.

• Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan
• A no premium medical plan for employee only coverage
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts

Survivor Benefits

Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.

• Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance
• Accidental Death and Disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children

Income Protection

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury VRA provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.

• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Paid family medical leave

Retirement Plan

The VRA 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement

• 401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement)
• Strong line up of professionally managed funds
• Safe-harbor plan design

Paid Time Off

Enjoy generous time off programs.

• Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more
• 9 paid holidays a year
• Paid bereavement leave

Give Back Opportunities

VRA offers the opportunity to serve your community.

• Voluntary Time Off
• Matching charitable donations and leadership grants

Holistic Wellness

• Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts

• Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services
• Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement

Product Discount

• Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley and Pura Vida products

Ancillary Benefits and Programs

• Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer.

Vera Bradley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

For more information, please click the following links:

Vera Bradley's Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to applicationassistance@VeraBradley.com. Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.