We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Vice President of Retail to lead KREWE’s in-person retail business. The VP of Retail will oversee all facets of our retail environment, from expansion strategy and retail development to sales, operations, and guest experience, building a scalable team and delivering a best-in-class standard across our 20+ locations while charting the roadmap for future growth. The VP of Retail is accountable for the success of every KREWE retail touchpoint and will be responsible for shaping the long-term retail vision, including market prioritization, site selection, lease negotiations, and new store development. The ideal candidate brings both strategic foresight and executional rigor, with the ability to scale a differentiated luxury experience in today’s evolving retail environment.
This role is based in our New Orleans or New York Headquarters 5 days a week.
Key Responsibilities:
LEADERSHIP + TEAM MANAGEMENT
- Serve as an executive leader and culture carrier, fostering a high-performing, accountable, and guest-centric team.
- Build and maintain a high-performing environment of learning, development, and expansive growth to deliver exceptional guest experiences and measurable business results.
- Lead, mentor, and develop retail organization to ensure alignment with KREWE’s brand vision, values, and performance standards.
RETAIL STRATEGY + ROADMAP
- Define and own KREWE’s long-term retail roadmap, including market prioritization, site selection, lease negotiations, and retail development execution.
- Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitive dynamics to inform expansion priorities, location strategy, and ongoing store performance.
- Develop and execute sales and guest experience strategies that align with brand goals and financial targets.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., brokers, landlords, architects, designers, contractors) to deliver successful store openings and expansions.
SALES, OPERATIONS, + PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
- Set strategy and oversee P&L management to ensure stores deliver against KPIs, revenue, profitability, and operational excellence.
- Implement programs that drive foot traffic, conversion, ATV and repeat customers to optimize performance.
- Develop and monitor performance dashboards, KPIs, and reports to enable fast, data-driven decisions that improve outcomes across the footprint.
- Drive consistency in operations, compliance, policies, and guest experience across all retail touchpoints.
GUEST + BRAND EXPERIENCE
- Champion and continuously evolve the KREWE Guest Experience to set new standards of service.
- Ensure brand, visual, and experiential standards are consistently upheld across all stores.
- Strengthen community and customer engagement that drive brand loyalty
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION
- Partner with Marketing, Planning, Operations, and Digital to create a seamless omnichannel experience.
- Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting to ensure disciplined, profitable growth.
- Partner with HR to recruit, train, and develop a best-in-class retail organization, reinforcing KREWE’s culture and values.
Requirements:
- 12+ years in luxury or specialty retail leadership, with 5+ years in an executive role.
- Proven track record scaling multi-unit, multi-market retail operations with P&L ownership.
- Experience developing and executing retail expansion strategies, including market prioritization, site selection, lease negotiation, and retail development.
- Strong track record of delivering profitable growth while maintaining brand integrity and guest experience excellence.
- Experience with omni-channel environments and integrating physical + digital customer journeys.
- Sharp attention to detail with uncompromising visual and brand standards.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence at the senior leadership level.
- Experience with independent, design-led brands strongly preferred.
Benefits and Perks:
- Competitive wage
- Group health plans: health, vision and dental insurance
- Welfare benefits: life, ad&d, supplemental voluntary coverage
- FSA Plan & HSA Program
- 401(K) Investment Options
- Adoption Assistance, EAP, Commuter Benefits
- Paid Parental Leave
- Quarterly Cultural Spend
- Ongoing Training and Development, an Educational Allowance
- 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off accrual
- KREWE employee quarterly frame allowance (of course!)
Salary (for New York only): Up to $200,000 annually based on experience and qualifications.
This reflects the base salary for this position. Compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, certifications, and business needs. In addition to base pay, KREWE offers annual bonuses, a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off, and employee discounts.
Diversity and Inclusion:
KREWE believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without discrimination or retaliation because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law. .
About KREWE
KREWE is an independent, high-fashion eyewear brand rooted inthe vibrant culture and boundless creativity of our hometown, New Orleans - and now proudly headquartered in both New Orleans and New York City. Since our launch in 2013, KREWE has grown into a dynamic brand celebrated for its distinctive, handcrafted sun and optical frames that reflect a deep commitment to quality, individuality, and design.
In 2022, we opened the doors to our NYC headquarters in the heart of the Meatpacking District, building a second home for the brand that brings New Orleans’ culture, creativity, and energy to one of the world’s most iconic design capitals. Our presence now spans brick-and-mortar boutiques, mobile retail concepts, and a thriving e-commerce platform - alongside distribution through premier independents and top national retailers. Celebrated for our unique approach to design, KREWE has cultivated a loyal following among style-conscious consumers and influential tastemakers.
As we continue to expand, we’re looking for passionate, driven, and innovative individuals to join our talented team. At KREWE our work is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply mission-driven. Our people are high-performing and ambitious - not just about hitting goals, but about building something that’s original, culturally rooted and globally resonant. Every team member at KREWE has the opportunity to own their role and make a lasting impact. If this sounds like the right environment for you we invite you to apply below.