Director of Retail Operations - NY, Miami or Boston

VRAI is one of the fastest-growing digital-first direct-to-consumer brands. Modernizing diamond jewelry through the exclusive use of sustainably created diamonds, VRAI has innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability at the core of its products and values. An honoree of Fast Co. Innovation Award in retail design, and a global business, VRAI has locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, NY, Shanghai, Chicago, London, Madrid, and Copenhagen, with more locations on the horizon.

We are seeking a strategic and execution-focused Director of Retail Operations to lead the expansion of our retail footprint. This role will oversee the end-to-end process of opening new stores—from site selection and buildout to staffing, training, and launch operations. You'll work cross-functionally to ensure each new location reflects our brand identity, delivers an exceptional customer experience, and opens on time and on budget.

As we grow, you will be instrumental in scaling operational systems, optimizing store performance, and supporting long-term retail strategy. The person for this role can be located in New York, Boston, or Miami.

• Lead new store development from site evaluation, lease coordination, design/build oversight, and permitting to merchandising and store launch.
• Drive collaboration with internal teams for real estate, design, construction, marketing, and merchandising, while overseeing external architects, contractors, and suppliers.
• Expertly manage project budgets, timelines, and critical paths to ensure all store openings are on time and within scope.
• Ensure brand aesthetic and operational excellence in each store, including setting up POS, inventory, security, and back-of-house systems.
• Oversee new store hiring and training, define launch KPIs, and conduct post-opening evaluations to drive long-term performance.

• Proven experience leading multi-location retail expansions, including site selection, lease negotiations, and end-to-end store buildouts in high-growth environments.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering store openings on time and within budget, while coordinating across internal departments and external partners.
• Deep understanding of retail operations systems including POS setup, inventory controls, security, and back-of-house workflows to ensure operational readiness and efficiency.
• Ability to uphold and translate brand standards into physical retail spaces, ensuring cohesive customer experiences across all locations.
• Demonstrated success in hiring, onboarding, and training store teams, establishing launch KPIs, and executing performance evaluations to support sustained growth and operational excellence.

VRAI provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. Additional Perks such as employee discounts are also available. 

Some plans may not be available pending global locations however other options may be presented.

VRAI  is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

To find out more about VRAI check out: 

vrai.com

facebook.com/vrai