Senior Manager, Visual Merchandising & Store Environments at Away

New York, New York, United States

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$128,000 – $138,000Compensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Retail, Travel, Consumer GoodsIndustries

Requirements

Experienced retail leader with deep fluency in visual merchandising and store design, blending big-picture strategy with hands-on execution
Proven track record of building scalable, brand-right visual merchandising strategies across a variety of formats and footprints
Strong point of view on spatial design, visual hierarchy, and product storytelling, with ability to translate brand and business objectives into compelling in-store moments
Understanding of how to work in locally-assorted store environments and build flexible VM systems that adapt by door
Confident in leading strategy, partnering with stakeholders, managing budgets, sourcing external partners, and using data/insights for iteration

Responsibilities

Define and champion Away’s visual merchandising philosophy, connecting brand storytelling with customer insights and in-store execution that drives measurable business impact
Partner with key stakeholders to lead all product and brand storytelling across retail and wholesale, including windows, focal displays, and fixtures—ensuring consistency, creativity, and conversion
Develop and implement a comprehensive, high-impact, and multi-tiered VM strategy that exemplifies Away’s mission and meets the needs of different locales, door types, and sizes
Own the VM calendar across the fleet—balancing new product launches, seasonal transitions, and evergreen storytelling across retail and wholesale
Create clear and compelling visual directives, toolkits, and communication processes that enable store teams to execute seamlessly
Build strong relationships with store teams and retail partners, providing guidance, inspiration, and ongoing feedback loops that keep the fleet aligned and energized
Act as the owner and strategic negotiator of visual merchandising priorities across Brand, Creative, Merchandising, Retail, and Wholesale, ensuring resource trade-offs and decisions maximize cohesive rollout and overall organizational ROI
Use store performance data and customer insights to continuously iterate on visual merchandising strategies that elevate both brand perception and product performance
Lead Away’s retail design needs (~10% of the role), serving as the internal expert who guides the concepting and execution of small-scale renovations, pop-ups, and store refreshes
Source and manage external partners—including fabricators, vendors, and installers—ensuring quality execution, competitive pricing, and strong ROI
Manage the VM and store design budget, advocating for execution strategies that maximize visual impact and brand consistency while staying on time and within budget
Ensure Away’s store environments—both temporary and permanent—are visually compelling, operationally functional, and unmistakably on-brand
Provide thought leadership and informal coaching to junior team members and cross-functional partners on best-in-class VM practices, raising the overall visual excellence and talent bar across the retail organization

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Visual MerchandisingStore DesignBrand StorytellingRetail StrategyProduct LaunchesWindow DisplaysInterior DisplaysFixturesVM StrategyStakeholder ManagementCreative DirectionCustomer Insights

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Senior Manager, Visual Merchandising & Store Environments role?

The salary range is $128K - $138K.

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position.

What key responsibilities define success in this role?

Success involves defining visual merchandising philosophy, leading product and brand storytelling across retail and wholesale, developing VM strategies, owning the VM calendar, and managing budgets and external partners.

What is the company culture like at Away?

Away fosters a community of travelers that creates, innovates, and makes travel more seamless, with a collaborative environment involving partnerships across Brand, Creative, Merchandising, Retail, and Wholesale teams.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate excels in strategic vision for visual merchandising, cross-functional collaboration, data-driven iteration using store performance insights, and managing external partners and budgets for retail design.

Away

Designs and sells high-quality luggage

About Away

Away designs and sells high-quality luggage and travel accessories aimed at modern travelers who appreciate both functionality and style. Their products include suitcases, bags, and various travel accessories that are practical yet aesthetically pleasing. Away operates on a direct-to-consumer model, selling products through their website and physical stores in major cities, which allows them to control the customer experience and offer competitive prices. They provide a 100-day trial period, free shipping, and returns to enhance customer satisfaction. Away has expanded its reach to several countries and also targets corporate clients through a gifting program. The company's goal is to transform the travel goods market by combining style and functionality while maintaining a strong focus on customer service.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$210.1MTotal Funding

LATE_VCCompany Stage

Consumer GoodsIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

401(k) with a company match

Flexible spending, health savings & commuter benefits

PTO

Paid Parental Leave

Short & Long-term disability

Product stipends and recognition awards

Risks

Departure of key executive Mark Chou may impact leadership stability.

Competitors launching TSA-compliant products could erode Away's niche market advantage.

Significant discounts may impact perceived brand value and pricing strategy.

Differentiation

Away offers a 100-day trial period, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Direct-to-consumer model allows Away to maintain control over customer experience.

Away's products combine functionality and style, transforming luggage into a statement piece.

Upsides

Away recognized as one of Fast Company's 'World's Most Innovative Companies'.

Growth in corporate gifting market expands Away's market reach.

Increased demand for compact and lightweight luggage benefits Away's product offerings.

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