Home Stylist

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and the brands they represent, is the premier specialty retailer of high quality home furnishings in the United States, Canada and Australia. Known for their outstanding customer service, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma are among the most iconic and well respected retail brands in North America. We market our products and engage our customers through three major channels — retail stores, catalogues, and the Internet.  All our brands allow customers to design, furnish and decorate every room in the home — from the kitchen to the living room, bedrooms, nursery, home office, laundry room and even the hall closet. 

Our West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids brand is now available in the UK, through Williams-Sonoma UK Limited. We believe our Company has limitless potential, driven by our associates and their imagination, passion and commitment. We provide an exciting and creative work environment, along with a variety of opportunities for professional as well as personal growth.  Our associates receive a generous discount on products as well as a variety of benefits including, but not limited to a competitive pension plan, employee assistance program and service recognition gifts.

SUMMARY:  Inspire customers to express themselves and their style in their homes. Discover what the customer loves and how they live to develop personal decorating plans that exceed their expectation. Bring West Elm to life for our customers by connecting them to the product, inspiration and how that helps them tell their story at home. Drive sales by creating a reputation of West Elm as a destination for approachable decorating expertise that helps customers build truly personal spaces.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspire associates and customers by connecting them to design trends, inspiration and local resources that reflect the eclectic, creative and modern spirit of the brand.

• Create and host in-store events that connect customers to decorating, design and entertaining inspirations.

• Seek out and promote innovative ways to make West Elm a neighbourhood destination for inspiration.

• Develop and manage relationships with clients, designers, developers and local businesses and artisans. Mentor associates on how to build and maintain client relationships.

• Make the in-store customer the priority and collaborate with the management team and associates to ensure adequate selling floor coverage during in-store or in-home appointments.

• Discover customer’s story and style by sparking conversation, sharing inspiration and consulting with them in the store and/or in their home about how to bring their style and story to life.

• Listen intently during in-store and in-home consultations to discover customer’s story.

• Share decorating expertise and develop thoughtful, personal decorating/space plans that fit the customer’s style, lifestyle and tells their story at home.

• Advise on where to access design resources for products and services unavailable at West Elm (wallpaper, appliances, re-upholsterer, etc.).

• Share the stories, collaborations and craft behind our products to bring them to life for our customer.

• Present compelling decorating plans, communicating what is most meaningful and relevant to the customer utilising mood boards, space plans and inspiration.

• Manage all aspects of a customer’s expectations, clearly communicating product information, care & maintenance, timeframes/delivery.

• Continually seek out inspiration, trends and ways to elevate decorating and styling expertise.

• Collaborate with store leadership to mentor and develop creative talent and elevate selling, decorating, composition and styling skills.

• Share expertise and passion for designing and styling spaces that are truly personal.

• Model all the behaviours and skills and promote all the services that build lasting client relationships and drive sales (Selling Essentials, Product Essentials, Clienteling, Wish-list, Home Stylist consultations, Events).

• Build positive working relationships with store management team, Area Manager, Assistant Store Manager, and sister brand partners to clarify priorities, share business insight and best practices.

• Communicate openly to create an environment where all associates are treated with respect and diversity is valued, in accordance with our People First Philosophy.

• Collaborate with the store team to fulfil decorating plans and install in customer’s home.

• Drive sales and achieve sales goals by growing a personal client base and referrals.

• Create new sales opportunities by reaching out to designers, developers and businesses to promote West Elm’s products and services.

• Review all decorating plans for clients and business sales to ensure projects reflect the client and West Elm’s commitment to thoughtful, well-crafted/composed and professional decorating plans, presentations and installations.

• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-2 years home furnishing, interior decorating experience and/or interior design education. Interior design certification preferred.

• Must be certified by WE Corporate Director of Design Education through design project submission (see Home Stylist Overview in Decorating Essentials) or relevant portfolio/experience. 

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/COMPETENCIES:

• Selling skills and proven ability to exceed selling goals.

• Demonstrated interest and knowledge of home furnishings and decor history, techniques, materials and current trends.

• Ability to apply colour theory, design principles and composition to create decorating plans.

• Ability to accurately measure and build scaled space plans.

• Ability to engage, connect and inspire customers in the store and during in-home consultations with decorating and styling expertise.

• Passion for interior decorating, architecture, art and connecting to design trends and inspiration (magazines, blogs, etc).

• Passion for creativity, craft, artisans and the neighbourhood’s treasures.

• Ability to create complete, personalised decorating plans that fit the customer’s style and lifestyle.

• Ability to work within a set budget.

• Communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to build strong client relationships, referrals and connections within the community.

• Strong collaboration and mentoring skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight timeframes while maintaining attention to detail.

• Ability to be mobile on the sales floor for extended periods of time. *

• Availability to work within a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business; this will require evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Ability to lift and mobilise medium to large items, up to 30 kg, while utilising appropriate equipment and safety techniques.*

• Ability to travel to in-home consultations. If driving your personal vehicle, proof of business car insurance (or proof of financial responsibility) and driver’s license is required.

EDUCATION:                       

• GCSEs or equivalent experience preferred.

REPORTS TO:  Area Manager

*Williams-Sonoma UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and would be happy to consider reasonable adjustments to accommodate a candidate with a disability.

**This position description is not inclusive of all duties and responsibilities and can be changed without notice**