Director of Sales - Wholesale

About Akris

As an internationally recognized fashion house, Akris creates fashion and accessories defined by clear architectural lines for the modern woman. From concept to finished product, we craft our collections with passion and exacting standards. Join an inspiring, creative environment where your personality and expertise shape the future of the brand. The person will drive the US business development through the current distribution channels by increasing the brand presence and volume. The position will report to the VP of Wholesale and be a key merchandising partner to the creative design team in HQ.

The Position

We are seeking a strategic, energetic sales leader who brings passion for the brand, product, and customer. The Director of Sales, Akris will drive U.S. business development, strengthen existing distribution, and provide market insight to the creative and merchandising teams. The ideal candidate blends strong analytical skills, a high taste level, and exceptional communication abilities.

The Director must be a collaborative, ego‑free leader with deep retail relationships and the ability to maximize sell‑in and sell‑through. S/he will champion the brand, build customer partnerships, lead a team of account executives, and help shape U.S. assortment direction.

This role is positioned at a true Director level, reflecting broader strategic influence, higher‑level cross‑functional leadership, and increased responsibility for elevating the wholesale business across all partners. They will be an advocate for the brand and drive strategy with the VP of Wholesale.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Serve as a key strategic partner to executive leadership and global stakeholders by identifying market white space opportunities, evolving customer behaviors and emerging luxury retail trends to support sustainable business growth.
• Develop and execute top‑down and bottom‑up strategies to meet U.S. sales goals.
• Grow brand penetration in existing doors, while identifying new points of distribution
• Create annual, quarterly, and monthly sell‑in/sell‑through plans.
• Build short‑ and long‑range business plans by store group and door.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure strong brand positioning.
• Contribute to long‑range strategic direction through elevated market insight and the ability to guide senior‑level priorities.
• Develop competitive market intelligence frameworks including benchmarking, pricing analysis, assortment opportunities and market share insights to strengthen brand positioning within the luxury landscape.

Management

• Champion cross-functional collaboration and organizational alignment through transparent communication, team empowerment and a people-first leadership approach that supports company culture and long-term growth.
• Partner with Marketing, Merchandising, Design, and Stores on integrated programs.
• Analyze performance and monitor retail strategies.
• Manage and develop account executives.
• Provide Director‑level leadership that strengthens team performance and builds a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Shape team processes and ensure consistent execution across wholesale partners.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive leadership culture focused on talent development, employee engagement, coaching and succession planning to build and retain high-performing teams.

Relationship Management

• Utilize competitive insights and regional market intelligence to proactively identify opportunities for brand elevation, assortment optimization and strategic partnerships across key luxury retailers.
• Build and maintain strong retail partnerships to drive sell‑in and sell‑through.
• Serve as the conduit between accounts and cross‑functional teams.
• Manage DSAs with major partners.
• Drive senior‑level engagement with key retailers to unlock growth and optimize assortments.
• Represent the brand with stronger strategic authority in discussions with retail and internal leadership.

Professional and Personal Characteristics

• Passion for luxury product

• Highly self‑motivated

• Strong business development skills

• Deep relationships with specialty and department stores

• Blend of intuition, analytical skill, and market knowledge

• Excellent communicator, confident with strong presentation skills

• Strong negotiator with proven relationship‑building ability

• Strategic and hands‑on; entrepreneurial

• Director‑level presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and elevate team capabilities.