Melissa Mullins

Richemont is one of the world’s leading luxury goods companies. I am a founding team member (employee #2) working on the creation and launch of a new brand within the Richemont Group. Launching in Summer 2024, ‘Via Arno’ is a new service based in London that will give people access to the best craftsmanship from around the world. Reporting to the Director of Operations, I am responsible for developing and scaling best-in-class processes for marketplace onboarding, optimising operations, as well as driving improvements in processes and their adoption. Key responsibilities include but not limited to: •Design and implement streamlined processes for artisan onboarding, to achieve optimal operational effectiveness. •Drive the growth of the artisan community through effective management of outreach and onboarding pipeline. •Analyse data to extract meaningful insights that can be translated into actionable strategies. •Drive improvements of the onboarding process and develop clear feedback mechanisms to communicate cross functionally and improve internal processes. •Collaborate with legal teams to facilitate the creation of key contracts and documents, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. •Manage relationships and collaborate with artisans to understand their needs, challenges, and objectives and develop and implement strategies to drive successful onboarding. •Lead research on key areas to deliver insights that inform decision making across strategic, operational, and cultural business initiative. •Strategically manage cross-functional communication and collaboration to successfully deliver projects and achieve department and business objectives.

The Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship is a private, international, non-profit foundation that celebrates and preserves master craftsmanship. The Foundation was established in 2015 by Johann Rupert. I was a key support to the incoming Executive Vice Chair of the Foundation, Hanneli Rupert, and worked across a variety of projects under their remit. •Collaborated with the leadership team to devise and manage the Foundation's strategic priorities, aligning key stakeholders across the Foundation and the wider Richemont group, fostering a unified approach to achieving organisational goals. •Orchestrated comprehensive support for Homo Faber, a significant cultural event, attracting 55,000 visitors over three weeks, thereby amplifying the Foundation's visibility and mission. •Drove the development and successful execution of a new sales strategy for Homo Faber Event 2022, achieving a remarkable 350K CHF in sales, demonstrating exceptional ability in sales strategy formulation and implementation. •Directed the selection and management of a new digital agency, ensuring the seamless execution of digital projects and enhancing the Foundation's digital presence.

Reporting directly to the CEO, Hanneli Rupert, I spearheaded strategic planning and execution of business projects for luxury lifestyle brands Merchants On Long and Okapi, directly contributing to the brand's growth and operational excellence.. I also served as the CEO's right hand, facilitating seamless communication and strategy alignment across all levels of the organization, thereby ensuring the effective implementation of business objectives and initiatives. E-Commerce & Digital Project Development •Spearheaded the strategic relaunch of Merchants on Long and Okapi's websites, achieving a seamless end-to-end client journey and enhancing user experience by appointing and collaborating with a new digital agency and managing the transition to Shopify. •Optimized e-commerce operations across two websites, increasing customer engagement by streamlining product uploads, refreshing digital assets, and managing merchandise across three storefronts. •Directed all website improvements – this included -working alongside the web agency and overseeing the pipeline of tech projects. •Built a best-in-class e-commerce promotional calendar utilizing Mailchimp to drive customer retention and engagement. •Managed all seasonal photoshoots and creation of digital assets. Operations •Executed all international trade and consumer events, including presentations at Prèmiere Classe Trade Show, launch events during Frieze London, and exhibitions at major U.S. conventions which welcomed over 60,000 visitors over 4 days - significantly expanding brand visibility and fostering strategic partnerships. •Led the South African production team in streamlining operations, implementing new processes that markedly improved production lead times and operational efficiency. •Provided pivotal strategic support to the CEO, effectively engaging with high-level stakeholders and managing external relationships with PR and digital agencies to enhance key strategic partnerships.

• Plan and manage all marketing activities to agreed budget • Management of external agencies (PR/Digital/Ecommerce) from briefing to reporting • Manage and direct head of creative in the development of seasonal brand assets, ensuring timely delivery, covering market needs across all areas of the business • Identify and project manage all key aligned brand partnerships in order to drive commercial objectives and recruit new clients • Full responsibility for consignee management from ensuring all supporting collateral is provided through to follow up of invoicing • Sourced digital marketing agency in order to create Okapi’s digital marketing strategy and drive website traffic. The resulting processes which were defined and implemented gave rise to an increase of 30% to web traffic • Collaborated with digital marketing team to create Okapi Welcome Email Program and ensure that brand voice was consistent throughout all messaging of triggered email program • Strategically analyzed digital marketing KPI’s to proactively propose and test new ways to enhance marketing in order to ensure targeted messaging to customers • Project management of large scale brand events including international trade shows and launches • Spearheaded the launch of ‘Okapi bespoke’ offering within the brand • Continuously liaised with product development manager in order to ensure marketing activations were in place to support key launches • Developed the brand book and defined the tonal messaging

• Resolve any problems with itineraries, service or accommodation. • Attend to special needs of tour participants. • Actively sell tours, clothing and supplies related to the trip over the course of the journey. • Provide onboard commentary for guests in an interesting and entertaining manner.

• Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen or forward calls, providing information, taking messages or scheduling appointments. • Greet people entering the establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit and direct or escort them to specific destinations. • Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars, file and maintain records.

• Assist in identifying main audience for clients and how best to communicate with them. • Contact appropriate media representatives to develop new business opportunities. • Work as part of a team to create and organize promotional events for clients. • Responsible for all clerical duties within the office and also the maintenance of the show room.

• Responsible for actively sourcing new clients and tailoring our services to their needs. • Responsible for managing and organising travel arrangements for employer. • Prepared excel spread sheets and organised financial accounts