Store Manager - Chicago

About Varley Clothing

Varley is a contemporary fashion brand for the modern woman. Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife Lara and Ben Mead, we are an international, family‑run business headquartered between London, Los Angeles, and New York. We create year‑round collections designed to build an elevated wardrobe for how women live and move, blending style, function, and versatility.

The Store Manager is a strategic leader and brand ambassador responsible for delivering commercial success while cultivating an exceptional customer and team experience. This role combines strong commercial awareness, thoughtful leadership, and operational excellence. The Store Manager leads by example, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and positivity within the store. They are responsible for developing a high‑performing team, anticipating business needs, and ensuring that both customers and employees experience the brand at its best.

Through forward planning, data‑driven decision making, and effective people management, the Store Manager ensures the store operates efficiently, meets performance targets, and consistently reflects the brand’s values and standards. As a key holder, the Store Manager also holds responsibility for the secure opening and closing of the store, safeguarding company assets, and ensuring operational and safety procedures are upheld at all times.

• Shape the culture of the store through strong leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to developing people.
• Lead by example in professionalism, attitude, and presentation.
• Cultivate a positive, respectful, and inclusive store culture that supports talent growth.
• Embed the brand’s values in daily behaviours, ensuring kindness, collaboration, and mutual respect are reflected in team and customer interactions.
• Develop a high‑performing team through coaching, mentorship, and structured performance development.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain talent while identifying future leaders and development pathways.
• Conduct regular one‑to‑one meetings and performance reviews.
• Set clear expectations for service standards, behaviours, and performance.
• Address performance concerns constructively and implement performance improvement plans in partnership with HR.
• Maintain a strong leadership presence on the shop floor, especially during key trading periods.

• Ensure the team remains informed, motivated, and aligned with store priorities and company initiatives.
• Lead daily team briefings to communicate targets, priorities, promotions, and key operational updates.
• Encourage the utilisation of company tools and applications that enable the team to stay informed and complete tasks.
• Ensure team members understand their individual responsibilities and how their contributions support wider business objectives.
• Promote a safe and supportive environment where feedback and ideas are welcomed.
• Translate company initiatives and strategic priorities into clear, actionable plans.
• Escalate operational, commercial, or people‑related matters to senior leadership when appropriate.
• Act as a key communication link between the shop floor and the wider business.

• Drive the achievement of store KPIs incl. sales, conversion, average transaction value, and productivity.
• Analyse daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports to identify opportunities and trading trends.
• Translate commercial insights into actionable strategies that improve performance.
• Monitor product performance and maximise selling opportunities.
• Optimise labour investment by aligning staffing levels with payroll budgets and trading patterns.
• Prepare clear performance updates and insights for senior leadership.

• Elevate service standards through coaching and leadership on the shop floor.
• Build strong relationships with customers and encourage effective clienteling practices.
• Leverage CRM tools and clienteling platforms to personalise customer engagement.
• Resolve customer concerns or complaints quickly and professionally.
• Support the delivery of in‑store events, brand…