Fashion Strategist

WGSN • New York, NY

20d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The role We are looking to hire a Fashion Strategist , with proven experience and interest in the Sports and Outdoors sector, to join our Consultancy team in the US. This is an office-based role out of our New York office. Salary range - $80,000 - $90,000 Working at WGSN Together, we create tomorrow A career with WGSN is fast-paced, exciting and full of opportunities to grow and develop. We're a team of consumer and design trend forecasters, content creators, designers, data analysts, advisory consultants and much more, united by a common goal: to create tomorrow. WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, sports & outdoors, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory. If you are an expert in your field, we want to hear from you. Role overview We are looking for a Fashion Strategist with a specialist focus on Sports and Outdoors to join our dynamic, ambitious and close-knit consultancy team. Working closely with our team of global consultants, you will be responsible for researching and building strategic qualitative and quantitative insights in line with our clients’ bespoke needs. In order to succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate: - Confidence in translating Macro and Consumer Trends into thought-provoking insight and forecasts across the key industries of Fashion (Apparel & Footwear) and Sports (Apparel & Footwear). - A strong understanding of Cultural trends, Consumer mindsets, new Product Development and the role data and analytics plays in commercial success. - You will be an excellent collaborator, highly commercial, proactive in working across multi-disciplinary teams to build innovative forecasts, and willing to stretch and apply your research skill set across different Fashion verticals and client briefs. - This role requires you to have a strong, commercial understanding of the Sports & Outdoors industry, but you will be expected to work across all Fashion verticals. The team You will be part of a dynamic and high-performing team, made up of 40+ consultants and trend researchers who bring together bespoke solutions for a wide range of clients across the globe. You will be working with industry experts and thought leaders with backgrounds in creative strategy, product innovation, design, marketing, buying and merchandising, data analytics and of course, trend forecasting.

Requirements

• Qualifications and proven experience within Fashion Design or Buying, and/or experience working agency side consulting to fashion retail clients. Candidates with agency or trend forecasting experience will be preferred.
• Exceptional knowledge of the global fashion market and a clear understanding of premium to commercial trends across product categories.
• Strong understanding of trend forecasting methodologies, consumer behavior, and marketing/social media trends across the fashion industry.
• Has worked across multiple research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to develop market- relevant fashion trend solutions, forecasts, creative direction and/or assortment plans.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with experience in solving unstructured problems involving quantitative data, through a structured and hypothesis-driven approach.
• Good presentation skills with proven experience of presenting to internal stakeholders, external clients and/or at events.
• Confident and articulate in both written and visual communication, with a confident style of writing and reporting in English. Proficient in fashion terminology (range building, assortments, product attributes etc).
• Technical skills: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace.

Nice To Haves

• Experience across Sports & Outdoor categories, including Performance Wear, Technical Apparel and Footwear, Sports & Outdoor innovation and Athleisure, is highly desirable.
• A basic knowledge and/or capabilities in data visualisation software such as Tableau is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Senior Consultant and Director to deliver the defined Consultancy strategy to clients, ensuring appropriate methodologies and frameworks are employed across all project teams.
• Support commercial activity by contributing to client outreach and pitch meetings. Build credibility with clients by showing up as a subject matter expert with authority and thought leadership.
• Conduct primary and secondary research across a variety of methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to deliver forecasts and insights that provide inspiration and commercial direction to benefit the client's future business. For this role, research will span fashion apparel & footwear, performance wear, technical apparel & footwear, and athleisure.
• Develop research plans and design project frameworks to individual project requirements, training and overseeing junior team members on methodologies where applicable.
• Own and manage research workstreams, developing innovative trend intelligence and forecasts that drive repeat business and deepen client relationships.
• Flex between multiple projects and clients while maintaining composure and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date project management for designated projects.
• Present to key stakeholders both internally and externally, participating in Q&A and client workshops where appropriate.
• Travel nationally and internationally to deliver high-value consulting projects to clients. Work across time zones with a diverse set of clients.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off – 15 days of vacation per year with an additional day for each year of service up to 20 days. WGSN also observes the 12 Federal holidays. We also offer 6 weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan – allows employees to save and invest for their own retirement on a tax deferred basis. WGSN matches 50% of the first 6% contributed by employees.
• Dental and Vision plans with MetLife
• Health Care with Anthem & Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability - all eligible employees receive coverage at no cost through Metlife
• Mental Health – WGSN provides many ways for employees to access mental health care including an Employee Assistance Program and inpatient, outpatient and virtual care if enrolled in an Anthem medical plan. Our EAP is available to all permanent staff, regardless of if you elect benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed