Self-driven, resilient, and dynamic business leader with good analytical skills focused on creating cohesive brand and client experience using innovative solutions. Strong operational and commercial background with top companies within luxury goods, fashion and lifestyle industry. Proven track record of success in team leadership, setting up and running operations and processes, strategy, financial management, and market analysis. Balanced mix of strategic thinking and hands on execution focused on operations, financial management and sales. Adept to working across all levels of organisations up to C level. Previous experience included Retail Director – Europe at Theory accountable for region’s sales, EBITDA, client development, cross functional team training and development, full P&L, HR, and buying budgets management, and Harrods General Sales Manager responsible for Accessories and Jewellery division and management of operations, retail experience, new stores openings, budgeting and people development strategy and execution. Currently focusing on setting up and developing operations and product for a tech startup, and business consulting activities. Looking to join a company with opportunity to build and grow a team, help create brand experiences and provide operational and commercial leadership.
• Setting up and managing strategy and operations for recruitment and education tech company focusing on retail and hospitality industry. • Sales and business development. • Research and tech product development. • Defining business case, pitch deck and value proposition in preparation for fundraising. • Creating educational content for consumer-based companies focusing on upskilling the workforce.
• Design and deliver lectures to BA students focusing on subjects such as innovation in fashion business, blockchain applications in luxury fashion, AI use in fashion and retail, and luxury brand management. • Engaging with luxury industry network and research to further develop knowledge, connections and add value to the content delivered to students and learning experience.
• Teaching in person Business innovation course consisting of series of workshops, interactive learning presentations and lectures covering business strategy, process and operational improvement, innovation, ideation, implementation and launch of a business. • Conducting students’ assessments throughout the course and providing qualitative and quantitative feedback.
• Supporting government and corporate led adult upskilling programmes focusing on digital marketing, business analytics, and UX fundamentals. • Collaborating with cross functional teams in the US and India on content development and technical subjects to improve learners’ experience. • Designing and conducting training webinars and assessments for the learning community based on identified development needs. • Conducting students’ assessments and online lectures based on set courses requirements. • Designing and conducting teachers’ assessments.
• Consulting for independent retailers and consumer companies working with CEOs and founders focusing on planning and implementation of product and client experience strategies, processes, and operations. • Project managing new store openings. • Helping to eliminate ambiguity for businesses by creating specific development plans, adapting best operational and governance practices, and setting relevant KPIs and metrics to support reporting to increase business growth and sales. • P&L and budget management. • Setting up and management of legal processes as applicable through partnerships with external legal teams. • Brand experience building. UX research Product pitch Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics mentor and project reviewer at Udacity
I was accountable for all trading aspects of the brand’s directly operated points of sale across Europe, including two flagship stores in London and Paris
Managed brand, retail and people operations and strategy across a number of departments in Womenswear, moving to manage Accessories division in 2014
Acting Store Manager 2007. Set clienteling and sales targets and objectives for the team, and monitored both closely to drive the store performance. Closely worked with with Press Office on developing client base and special events for the brand in the UK
Given her wealth of experience in Luxury Retail, coupled with high energy and strong commitment in everything she does, I strongly recommend Irina to anyone looking for developing their business in a professional yet friendly manner. Curious by nature and always eager to learn new things (most recently anything around NFTs!), she is a delight to work with!
Irina is a diligent, highly organised leader. Her operational abilities are outstanding. Adapting her skill set to suit a steady or fast paced environment, Irina has the ability to drive complex projects. During her retail career at Harrods, she was able to oversee and manage these with careful planning, attention to detail and endless focus. Irina was able to build relationships with vendors and strategically negotiate business costs to benefit the needs of her division. Trustworthy and reliable, I would recommend Irina to deliver results and exceed expectations.