Teara Taylor
Savannah,GA
Summary
Luxury retail leader with 10+ years of experience in retail operations, sales leadership, client experience, team development, and brand storytelling. Proven ability to drive revenue growth, elevate customer experience, and lead high-performing teams across luxury and specialty retail environments. Recognized for combining operational excellence with elevated client engagement, strong visual merchandising execution, and strategic leadership that strengthens brand presence and store performance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director of Admission
Savannah College of Art and Design
03.2023 - Current
- Developed and executed regional recruitment initiatives in Central U.S. to enhance SCAD's visibility at art schools and national events.
- Delivered compelling presentations to 100+ students and families, fostering brand loyalty and increasing enrollment conversion.
- Reviewed and analyzed creative portfolios and applications to ensure compliance with established guidelines.
- Advised families on financial aid strategies, scholarship opportunities, and enrollment choices to enhance educational access.
- Developed and implemented training programs to elevate admissions team performance and improve presentation standards.
- Coordinated VIP dinners, counselor events, and relationship-building initiatives to strengthen connections with educators.
- Facilitated international recruitment initiatives, including collaboration with SCAD Lacoste in France.
- Managed student acceptance process and delivered congratulatory messages to new enrollees.
- Elevated guest experiences at fashion shows by hosting VIP attendees and enhancing classroom engagement strategies. Enhanced VIP hosting at fashion shows and improved classroom interactions through effective guest management.
Assistant Director of Admission
Savannah College of Art and Design
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Implemented regional recruitment strategy across Central U.S. markets.
- Delivered SCAD brand narrative to diverse audiences at educational fairs and creative institutions.
- Enhanced enrollment pipeline by implementing personalized engagement strategies.
- Assisted in organizing summer programs, campus events, and recruitment initiatives. Supported teams in executing summer programs and campus events. Helped coordinate recruitment initiatives and campus events.
- Created a detailed training guide in OneNote to support new employee orientation and streamline admission training.
- Reduced application processing times by identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing procedural improvements within the office workflow.
- Explained admissions processes, educational programs, financial assistance, and student services to over 200 potential students.
Assistant Manager / and Trainer
Coach
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Managed daily floor operations including traffic flow, scheduling coordination, and associate performance.
- Oversaw cash management, reporting, and loss prevention compliance.
- Executed visual merchandising resets aligned with global brand directives and seasonal campaigns.
- Led coaching and training for new hires and existing associates, reinforcing luxury selling behaviors.
- Developed client relationships through appointment-based selling and personalized shopping experiences.
- Maintained sales targets and supported leadership in driving overall store performance.
Assistant Store Leader
Kate Spade
12.2020 - 08.2021
- Co-led retail operations within a high-volume luxury flagship environment, ensuring seamless daily execution across sales floor, back-of-house, and client experience touchpoints
- Drove store revenue growth from $850K to $1.5M through strategic leadership, KPI management, and elevated clienteling initiatives focused on high-value clientele
- Managed operational excellence including staffing coordination, floor coverage planning, inventory awareness, and service standards to optimize store performance
- Developed and executed elevated client retention and CRM-driven outreach programs, increasing repeat client engagement and loyalty
- Partnered with visual merchandising teams to implement seasonal brand storytelling, aligning in-store presentation with luxury brand direction and sell-through goals
- Launched and scaled employee brand ambassador program across in-store and digital platforms to strengthen brand presence and client connection
- Coached, trained, and developed sales associates to deliver high-touch luxury service, consistently exceeding conversion and UPT targets
- Supported daily retail operations including opening/closing procedures, POS oversight, cash handling accuracy, and loss prevention compliance in a luxury retail setting
- Oversaw back-of-house and floor to maintain operational efficiency and smooth transitions.
Customer Service Team Lead / Sales Trainer /Retail Sales Associate
EXPRESS
12.2010 - 11.2018
- Led training programs focused on sales performance, product knowledge, and customer experience
- Developed onboarding systems to improve consistency and service execution
- Supported store leadership in achieving sales and operational goals
- Executed visual merchandising and floor layout design to enhance customer flow
- Delivered high-volume customer service while maintaining brand loyalty and repeat business
- Developed and executed brand ambassador program to enhance brand visibility, showcased on Express website and Times Square billboard.
Education
Master of Arts - Luxury And Brand Management
Savannah College of Art And Design
Savannah, GA05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Child And Family Development
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA12-2014
High School Diploma -
Windsor Forest High School
Savannah05-2010
Skills
- Retail Operations Management
- Luxury Client Experience & Clienteling
- Sales Leadership & Revenue Growth
- Team Training & Development
- Visual Merchandising & Brand Standards
- Performance Management & Coaching
- Event Planning & Brand Activation
- Public Speaking & Presentations
Certification
The fundamentals of the luxury industry and its key challenges, with a specialization in Creation & Branding, Retail & Customer Experience.
Timeline
Associate Director of Admission
Savannah College of Art and Design
03.2023 - Current
Assistant Director of Admission
Savannah College of Art and Design
08.2021 - 03.2023
Assistant Store Leader
Kate Spade
12.2020 - 08.2021
Assistant Manager / and Trainer
Coach
08.2019 - 06.2020
Customer Service Team Lead / Sales Trainer /Retail Sales Associate
EXPRESS
12.2010 - 11.2018
Master of Arts - Luxury And Brand Management
Savannah College of Art And Design
Bachelor of Science - Child And Family Development
Georgia Southern University
High School Diploma -
Windsor Forest High School