Retail Sales Account Executive- Midwest

Position: Account Executive, Midwest Status: Full-Time Reports to: Field Sales Manager Based in: Chicago, Illinois Territory: Midwest Region (door list subject to change per needs of business) Salary: $75,000-$85,000 Crown Affair is seeking an Account Executive who will fully own their territory and drive sustained growth across Sephora. This role is responsible for hitting and exceeding sales goals, building strong relationships at every level of Sephora leadership, hiring and developing a high-performing freelance team, and executing best-in-class events with a focus on productivity, education, and brand elevation. This is an elevated retail leadership role for someone who thrives in the field, knows how to grow a business door by door, and can balance sales strategy, team management, operational execution, and storytelling with equal strength.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Leadership Own all sales results for assigned markets, consistently exceeding weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals. Build territory growth plans that increase brand penetration, drive conversion, and expand Crown Affair’s footprint within Sephora. Lead store visits with a clear strategy: prioritize high-impact doors, assess opportunities, and execute actions that move the business forward. Plan, execute, and exceed event goals by driving traffic, optimizing productivity, and coaching teams through effective selling rituals. Analyze sales data, identify trends, and present territory performance with actionable insights. Education & In-Store Execution Deliver impactful training to Beauty Advisors, developing strong product expertise and confidence across Crown Affair’s full assortment. Bring the brand to life through elevated demos, storytelling, and Love Your AirDry–focused education. Ensure all merchandising and visual standards are executed flawlessly; troubleshoot or elevate issues to maintain brand integrity. Oversee in-store execution of promotional activities, sampling efforts, and newness launches. Client & Relationship Management Cultivate strong partnerships with store leadership, District Managers, Regional Managers, and Regional Event Managers to unlock new opportunities and amplify brand visibility. Provide best-in-class service to all internal and external partners, acting as the primary Crown Affair representative in the field. Regularly communicate business momentum, opportunities, and wins to cross‑functional partners. People Leadership Hire, train, and manage a team of freelance Brand Experts and Key Freelancers to support in-store coverage and events. Schedule, onboard, coach, and develop freelancers to uphold Crown Affair standards and deliver consistent results. Build talent pipelines in both direct‑visit and remote markets. Operations & Budget Management Manage territory budgets for travel, labor, events, and education. Maintain accurate inventory levels in stores, oversee replenishment, and ensure product availability ahead of key selling moments. Monitor merchandising, endcaps, and gondolas to ensure they are shoppable, clean, and aligned with company standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Proven success owning sales results and exceeding goals in prestige beauty, ideally within Sephora. 3+ years of experience in sales, retail leadership, or education in a prestige environment. Strong skills in PowerPoint, Excel, and Google Suite. Experience leading teams, coaching talent, and managing freelancers. Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities. Comfort managing budgets, planning schedules, and tracking performance metrics. Ability to build relationships at all levels within Sephora, from Beauty Advisors to regional leadership. Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to flex quickly, multitask, and pivot as needed. Additional Requirements Able to stand for up to 8 hours Ability to work Tuesday through Saturday each week, including at least three Saturdays per month. Flexibility in work hours dependent on peak customer shopping times and key promotional retailer activations Travel up to 50% depending on territory needs Must have reliable means of transportation Present a professional appearance maintaining Crown Affair standards, Sephora dress code and makeup looks based on seasonal trends This role may require weekend/holiday hours About Crown Affair— Crown Affair is a first of its kind haircare brand that empowers people to redefine their relationship with their hair through accessible luxury products, guidance, and community. We believe that loving your hair starts with understanding how to care for it. Each product we make is developed to work together with any (or all) of our other products, so that together they form more than a routine: it’s a ritual. We’ve partnered with dedicated craftsmen and chemists around the world to create thoughtfully sourced products you’ll love using each and every day. About The Founder— Dianna Cohen started her career at digital content platform, Into The Gloss, in 2012. She was part of the founding team of e‑commerce mobile app, Spring, where she launched and managed their marketing channels from pre‑launch through year two. From there, she worked closely with former Jimmy Choo founder, Tamara Mellon, to relaunch her namesake brand as a direct‑to‑consumer, luxury company. After launching Tamara Mellon in 2016, Dianna joined travel company, Away, as Head of Partnerships until she left to start Levitate at the end of 2017. Under Levitate, Dianna has worked with a number of direct‑to‑consumer brands including, Harry’s / Flamingo, Outdoor Voices, Yumi, Buck Mason, The Wing, and more. Dianna is part of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for the Class of 2019. #J-18808-Ljbffr Alumni Ventures