STEPHEN JOSEPH


PROFILE

A multi-disciplined Store Design, Merchandising and Planning Executive with detail oriented project management skills and an exceptional record of meeting or exceeding goals, without losing sight of budget and schedule. I am highly organized and consistently get results, with strong communication skills, internal and external team coordination, and the ability to handle multiple projects. I have worked globally as well as domestically in roles as both consultant and in-house counsel.

EXPERIENCE

BERGDORF GOODMAN, New York, NY2001-present
Vice President, Store Planning Design and Construction
Direct responsibility for planning, design and construction of the Womens and Mens store renovations (225,000 square feet total), from concept to completion, resulting in annual double-digit sales volume increases
Proven project and profit management cost control skills, responsible for $85 million project budget
Negotiate all vendor shop-in-shop design agreements, to integrate individual brand identities into overall BG store concept- RTW, Accessories, Shoes, Cosmetics, Home and Restaurant
Manage in-house Facilities team of painters, carpenters, and engineers to maintain store standards
Created in-house design department, reducing consultant fees on major capex projects by $1.7 million

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, New York, NY1999-2001
Vice President, Corporate Store Planning and Design
Designed, planned, and merchandised 11 new stores and 15 renovations, projects averaging 100,000 square feet with a $19 million budget
Projected and managed $1.5 million annual departmental operating budget
Negotiated and implemented all vendor shop-in-shop rollouts
Reduced cost to build proto-type store. Identified substitute materials, design details and construction methods, yielding $65 per square foot savings without sacrificing quality and customer experience.
Expanded brand to Middle East. Met with developers in Dubai and Riyadh. Presented design concept to Crown Prince of Riyadh. Built 60,000 square foot store to anchor Kingdom Centre.

TSR CONSULTANTS, INC., New York, NY1983-1999
Vice President (1992-1999)
Planning, design and project management responsibility, overseeing 6,000,000 square feet of retail projects
Developed associate manual and review procedure to ensure that all policies were accurately documented and consistently applied

Senior Project Manager (1985-1992)

Project Manager, Store Design (1983-1985)

EDUCATION

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Schack Institute of Real Estate Property Management

NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Fine Arts