In France, over a million direct and indirect jobs depend on the luxury sector. This value-creating field includes several sectors such as automotive, cosmetics, jewelry and fashion. While luxury has its own codes, it also has a strong need for professionals specialized in project management.

If you have a sense of responsibility and know how to manage a team, the job of luxury goods project manager is for you. We'll tell you everything you need to know about the job!

The project manager plays a major role in the organization of a company operating in the luxury and fashion sectors. He/she is responsible for a wide variety of projects: the launch of a new product, a new collection or a new offer, or the planning of events. He or she mobilizes all available resources to develop a marketing strategy aimed at increasing company awareness and brand visibility.

As the job title suggests, the luxury goods project manager manages various projects. He/she ensures that they are well executed and delivered on time. Here are the main tasks performed by the project manager:

• At the very beginning of a project, we draw up a set of specifications outlining the technical, legal and financial aspects of the new product or service to be launched on the market.
• Validation of specifications.
• Take charge of the marketing and advertising part of the project: market research analysis, competitive intelligence, audience needs assessment, communication strategy development.
• Presentation of the final result to the customer and consideration of feedback.
• Follow-up of projects and links with partners: the project manager is the intermediary between customers and his teams. He delegates tasks to his colleagues and supervises partner companies working on the project.
• Management of various tasks performed by its teams: meetings and conferences, event planning, new product development, new service integration.

The position of luxury goods project manager requires excellent team management and negotiation skills. In fact, the expert will have to motivate and supervise his colleagues to ensure the success of the project.

A diplomat with good interpersonal skills, the Project Manager expresses himself/herself fluently and pedagogically, both orally and in writing. They know how to make decisions.

Responsible for events as well as product development, the project manager is a logical manager. They manage several projects simultaneously. Optimal organization is required to ensure that each stage runs smoothly.

This job requires creativity, innovation, good stress management and a strategic eye.

Here are 7 key skills to develop as a luxury project manager:

• Excellent communication and marketing skills.
• Very good knowledge of webmarketing levers.
• Very good knowledge of fashion, luxury goods, retail, events and design.
• Proficiency in various analysis and tracking tools (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager).
• Mastery of a content management system (WordPress).
• Mastery of the various paid and free acquisition levers.
• Language skills: particularly English and Mandarin. Indeed, Mandarin is a language of growing importance in the luxury sector, as demand from China is very strong.

There are a number of training courses available for project managers in the luxury goods industry. As a general rule, each professional must have completed a course of study in marketing, management or sales, with a minimum of BAC +3.

To maximize your chances, it is advisable to follow a specialized luxury training program.

ISAL Paris opens its doors to students wishing to specialize in fashion and luxury goods.

Here are two essential work-study courses to become a project manager:

• Visit Bachelor in Fashion, Luxury and Digital Marketing This work-study Bachelor's degree is open to students who have studied business, marketing and communications. It provides students with real knowledge of the products and materials used in fashion. These include: digital marketing, digital communications, English or Chinese, web design (e-commerce and CMS site development), business management, fashion and luxury.
• Visit Master's degree in communication and branding This Master's degree (BAC +3) is ideal for those wishing to work as a digital project manager, digital brand manager or advertising manager. It trains future professionals in the business and technical challenges of brand promotion. Students will be able to manage web projects and ensure the coherence and global strategy of a brand. What's more, they develop a genuine culture of fashion and luxury.

At the start of their career, project managers earn around 2,000 euros gross per month. This amount varies according to brand, company and experience.

After several years in the business, this professional can rise to positions of high responsibility such as project director, product development manager, event manager or company director in the luxury goods industry.