Visual Merchandise Lead - Sports Direct Australia
Join one of Australia and New Zealand's most customer centric retail groups - Accent Group. With a portfolio of over 900 stores, 34 iconic brands (including HOKA, Skechers, Dr. Martens, Platypus, Hype DC, Stylerunner, Nude Lucy, The Athletes Foot, Sports Direct, Glue Store and Vans), and 30+ online platforms, we're not just selling shoes - we're shaping the future of retail. At Accent Group, we're driven by innovation, passionate about people, and serious about creating standout career opportunities. Whether you're starting your retail journey or looking to grow into leadership, you'll be part of a culture that values individuality, rewards performance, and empowers you to make your mark (in your kicks of course!).
As we accelerate our expansion across Australia in partnership with Frasers Group, we are opening a significant number of new stores and we need a Visual Merchandising (VM) Lead who can bring our bold, high-volume retail concept to life on the ground.
As the Visual Merchandising Lead for Sports Direct Australia, you are the strategic architect of our in-store environment. Based in our Alexandria Head Office in NSW, you will be the critical link between Global/UK brand directives and physical store execution.
This is a broad-scope, operational leadership role. We are looking for a candidate who moves beyond the traditional Visual Merchandising Role and instead focuses on the creation of directives, project management of new store launches, and brand partner coordination. You will design the blueprints that allow our store teams to execute world-class merchandising at scale, ensuring our high-volume, high-energy stores remain commercially potent and visually consistent.
Why Join Accent Group & Sports Direct Australia?
Lead the Expansion: Play a key role in building the Sports Direct footprint across Australia.
Global Brand Exposure: Collaborate with the world's biggest sports and lifestyle labels.
Accent Group Perks: Awesome discounts across all banners (Hype DC, Platypus, Vans, Skechers, Dr. Martens, Merrell, and more).
Growth: Join a supportive, high-energy team with genuine career progression opportunities within the wider Accent Group network.
Your key responsibilities will include:
New Store Opening (NSO) & Development Lead
* Work directly with the Store Development and Projects team to align on build print delivery timelines for a rapid pipeline of new stores.
* Manage the end-to-end ordering, procurement, and cost of Visual Merchandising print, and POS for all new sites.
* Lead the physical setup during launch weeks, ensuring every new location is trade-ready and compliant with brand guidelines.
Directive Creation & Communication
* Adapt global directives from Frasers Group (UK) for the Australian market. Create clear, professional Visual Merchandising Briefs and Planograms that make execution simple for store teams.
* Translate complex marketing strategies into actionable, store-friendly tools. You aren't just styling; you are writing the instructions for how the entire fleet operates.
Brand Partnerships & Campaign Execution
* Work directly with our key brand partners (Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc.) to ensure their branded zones meet global standards while fitting the Sports Direct commercial ecosystem.
* Collaborate with the Campaign Lead on in-store execution for major product launches, trade moments (Black Friday, Back to School), and multi-branded campaigns (Football Stars Here).
* Oversee the production and rollout of all in-store marketing collateral, from design briefing to delivery.
Field Support & Quality Control
* Conduct regular store visits to audit compliance and provide hands‐on coaching to Store Managers to maintain "Sports Direct Standards."
* Manage the national photo‐review process to track compliance and provide constructive, practical feedback to drive consistency.
To be successful you will have the following:
* Demonstrated 3–5 years in a Visual Merchandising leadership role (Head Office or Regional level). Specific experience managing the logistics of New Store Openings is essential.
* Proven ability to manage multiple timelines, coordinate with store development teams, and oversee external suppliers.
* Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign/Photoshop) or Canva to produce high-quality, instructional visual manuals.
* A strong understanding of the balance between "brand image" and "stock density." You understand that Visual Merchandising is a sales driver, not just decoration.
* A hands‐on mindset – comfortable in a professional office environment but ready to lead from the front in-store during major launches.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Suite / Canva for creating visual briefs is highly desirable.
* Available for domestic travel as required.
At Accent Group Limited we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We believe in the diversity of our people across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical and mental ability. We strive on creating an equal employment environment where everyone from any background can be themselves. The Accent Group acknowledges, and pays respect, to the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Maori people.
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