Managing Director Artek f/m/d

Overview

Artek is a Finnish design company, founded in Helsinki in 1935 by four young idealists: Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Their goal was “to sell furniture and to promote a modern culture of living by exhibitions and other educational means.” In keeping with the radical spirit of its founders, Artek today remains an innovative player in the world of modern design, developing new products at the intersection of design, architecture, and art. The Artek collection consists of furniture, lighting, and accessories designed by Finnish masters and leading international designers. It stands for clarity, functionality, and poetic simplicity.

For over 80 years, Artek’s products have enriched public spaces, museums, schools, restaurants, hotels, shops, as well as countless private homes all over the world. Since 2013 Artek has been part of the Swiss design company Vitra. With a small, yet dynamic and highly dedicated team, we aim to further develop Artek as an independent heritage brand within the international environment of the Vitra group.

Country/Region: CH

City: Basel

Level of Employment: 100%

Duration: permanent

Required Travel: 25-50%

Company: Vitra International AG

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of Artek’s long term business strategies and alignment of the company’s operations with its mission, vision, and objectives.
• Leadership of omnichannel brand initiatives across own retail, wholesale and B2B environments; physical and online.
• Responsibility and shaping for the brand’s product portfolio and lifecycle as well as all brand marketing and communications.
• Collaboration with cross-functional global teams within Artek as well as the Vitra Group
• Sales and margin oriented steering

Qualifications

• Business degree with specialisation in sales, branding or marketing/communications
• You bring 10+ years of experience in a comparable role, ideally within design, lifestyle, or premium consumer goods background
• Proven track record in brand management , omnichannel and sales strategy , and product portfolio responsibility
• You are motivated to grow and lead a business with an entrepreneurial mindset
• You have a deep appreciation for design and contemporary culture, with a sharp eye for brand storytelling
• You have led hybrid teams and know how to inspire across cultures and disciplines
• You think strategically, act pragmatically, and communicate with clarity
• Excellent English is essential; German is a plus

Benefits

• We offer a dynamic, creative, and innovative environment and pursue a sustainable corporate strategy
• Office design is Vitra\’s specialty – our work environment offers space for creativity including areas for focus time
• Welcome to Vitra & Artek – our orientation and welcome program
• We promote lifelong learning through our internal academy and target group-oriented talent management programs
• \“How to work better\“ – our concept for the hybrid working world – enables mobile working in different facets
• Extended maternity leave
• Choose an additional, individual benefit – in the area of fitness offers, the job ticket, a subsidy for our canteen or childcare
• Benefit from attractive discounts on products from Vitra and Artek

Do you still have doubts?

You do not bring all the qualifications listed?

Don\’t be discouraged: We are convinced that with an eager-to-learn, open-minded attitude, mountains can be moved.

So, apply anyway and show us why you are the right person for this position.

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities and living diversity. Your personality and expertise are the only factors that determine your suitability.

Please note that we cannot accept applications via E-mail but kindly ask you to send it via our job portal. If you have any questions, Sonja Hornberger, , will be happy to support.

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