NYC Alliance seeks a driven, entrepreneurial, and detail-oriented Account Executive to join the Derek Lam 10 Crosby team. This role will play a critical part in launching and growing the brand's wholesale business by developing new retail partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the contemporary fashion landscape, established relationships with retail buyers, and a proven ability to identify and convert new business opportunities. This individual must be equally comfortable building relationships, presenting collections, managing day-to-day account execution, and proactively identifying opportunities for growth. The person needs to be a proactive business developer who can build new accounts, establish brand awareness, and help create a strong wholesale foundation.
The successful candidate will bring a strong sense of ownership, initiative, and commercial awareness, with the ability to represent the brand effectively while balancing its creative vision with wholesale business objectives.
Responsibilities:
• Identify, prospect, and secure new wholesale accounts that align with the Derek Lam 10 Crosby brand positioning and target customer.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective retailers, including department stores, specialty boutiques, e-commerce platforms, and strategic distribution partners.
• Proactively conduct outreach to buyers and decision-makers to introduce the collection, generate interest, and convert opportunities into active business.
• Develop compelling sales presentations and account-specific pitches that communicate the brand's identity, product offering, and commercial value.
• Identify opportunities to expand distribution while maintaining brand positioning and pricing integrity.
• Effectively communicate the brand's creative direction, product strategy, target customer, and competitive positioning.
• Support seasonal market appointments, showroom presentations, trade shows, and customer outreach initiatives.
• Provide buyer feedback and market insights to help inform product development, pricing, assortment, and go-to-market strategies.
• Identify opportunities to introduce the brand to new markets and customer segments.
• Drive seasonal sales by presenting collections, identifying opportunities, and consistently following through on business.
• Develop account-specific business plans to maximize sales potential and achieve seasonal and annual targets.
• Identify opportunities for account expansion through increased assortments, additional categories, reorders, and new product introductions.
• Maintain regular communication with customers to understand their needs and provide timely, thoughtful solutions.
• Support negotiations around pricing, terms, deliveries, and other account requirements.
• Monitor account performance, sales results, sell-through, and inventory to identify opportunities for growth.
• Develop and maintain seasonal sales reports, forecasts, account recaps, and pipeline updates.
• Provide regular updates on account activity, projected sales, new business development, and potential risks.
• Research competitive brands, retail trends, and customer preferences to support account development.
• Take ownership of assigned sales goals and proactively develop strategies to achieve and exceed targets.
• Manage day-to-day order execution, including order entry, tracking, revisions, and follow-up.
• Communicate product details, pricing, delivery information, and availability to accounts.
• Serve as the voice of the customer internally, communicating buyer feedback, market trends, and account requirements.
• 3–4 years of experience in sales, account management, or wholesale within the fashion or apparel industry.
• Experience selling contemporary women's apparel, preferably within the better, bridge, or contemporary market.
• Demonstrated success in new business development, wholesale account acquisition, and growing existing accounts.
• Established relationships with department store buyers, specialty retailers, and/or major e-commerce accounts.
• Strong understanding of the retail and fashion landscape, including key accounts, buyers, seasonal selling cycles, and wholesale distribution strategies.
• Proven ability to identify retailers that align with brand positioning and develop relationships that translate into business.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate independently, take initiative, and build business in a developing brand environment.
• Strong prospecting, networking, and follow-up skills, with the ability to convert initial interest into actual business.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to generate excitement around a collection and effectively communicate its design aesthetic, commercial opportunity, and value proposition.
• Strong commercial acumen, including an understanding of retail pricing, margins, assortment planning, and account profitability.
• Ability to balance creative brand positioning with commercial objectives and customer expectations.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable working with sales reports, forecasts, and account data to monitor performance and identify opportunities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and relevant sales and order management systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with design, merchandising, production, and operations teams.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities may evolve as the brand develops.
• Willingness to travel for market appointments, customer meetings, trade shows, and other business development opportunities.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Fashion, or a related field preferred.