Director, Account Lead, Estee Lauder & AERIN NA

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart , the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director, Account Lead for Department Store and Independent accounts to drive strategic direction, business growth, and overall performance of our key retail accounts. The Director will manage and nurture relationships, develop joint business plans, and ensure initiatives maximize brand visibility, sales, and profitability. You will collaborate closely with internal teams (marketing, product, planning, education) and retail partners to drive mutually beneficial growth strategies and ensure the brand’s presence at the account level is consistent with our overall goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Account Management:
• Develop and execute strategic account plans for Department Store and Independent accounts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for retail accounts, addressing issues and opportunities.
• Lead quarterly business reviews and regular performance meetings.
• Monitor and assess account performance, providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
• Sales Strategy & Execution:
• Develop and implement annual sales and marketing strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Collaborate with marketing, planning, online, and education teams.
• Manage product launches, in-store displays, seasonal promotions, and special events.
• Negotiate pricing, promotional strategies, and marketing support with accounts.
• Business Planning & Analysis:
• Prepare detailed business plans outlining key goals, target markets, product strategies, and performance metrics.
• Partner with retailers and internal teams for planning and training.
• Analyze sales data, track KPIs, and monitor market trends.
• Develop retail forecasts, track budgets, and manage trade spend.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure seamless execution of account-specific strategies.
• Collaborate with the field sales team to provide training and support to sales associates.
• Partner with the visual merchandising team to optimize brand presence in-store.
• Ensure inventory, shipping, and product availability meet account needs.
• Retail Marketing & Promotional Activations:
• Develop and implement tailored marketing plans and promotional calendars.
• Support co-branded marketing campaigns, events, and in-store activations.
• Manage and execute seasonal promotions, product launches, and exclusive offerings.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Lead a planner direct report and ensure team alignment with account objectives.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture.
• Serve as a key resource for internal stakeholders, providing strategic insights and solutions.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10 years of experience in account management, sales leadership, or retail partnerships, preferably within the beauty, fashion, or consumer goods industries.
• Proven success managing large retail accounts, especially with Department Store and Independent accounts.
• Strong understanding of retail dynamics, consumer behavior, and the beauty industry landscape.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in budget management, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with retail management or CRM tools.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a strategic, long-term view
  
  

Pay Range

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $120,550.00 to $208,200.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program as well as participation in the share incentive plan. In addition,

The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact USApplicantAccommodations@Estee.com.

Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.

Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law

Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.