EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Position: Executive Assistant to Founder & Creative Director

Location: Kala Ghoda, Mumbai

Experience:

Senior: 3–6+ years

[ONLY APPLICANTS BASED IN SOUTH MUMBAI WILL BE CONSIDERED]

ABOUT SDS by KUSHAL SHAH

• SDS by KUSHAL SHAH is a men's luxury brand specializing in Prêt, Couture, and Bespoke.

• We focus on refined design aesthetics, craftsmanship, and service, creating a seamless balance between luxury and contemporary style.

• Rooted in an edgy yet timeless design philosophy, our collections reflect an evolving yet consistent creative vision.

• Our parent company, SHEETAL, has been a pioneer in Indian fashion retail for over 50 years.

• Industry icons such as Hemant Trivedi, Manish Malhotra, and Aki Narula began their creative journeys at SDS before launching their own labels.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES :

1. Founder Shadow & End-to-End Oversight

• Act as the Founder's direct operational extension across all business verticals

• Attend key meetings including client consultations, vendor negotiations, production reviews, sales meetings, and strategy discussions

• Translate verbal directions into structured action plans with clear timelines and accountability

• Ensure all tasks assigned by the Founder are documented, delegated, tracked, and completed

• Maintain a master tracker of all ongoing priorities — across departments

• Proactively identify gaps, delays, or bottlenecks before escalation

2. Sales & Client Consultation Oversight

• Attend high-value client consultations when required

• Ensure follow-ups on client orders, customizations, fittings, and delivery timelines

• Coordinate between Sales, Production, and Design teams for client-specific requirements

• Track order confirmations, payment timelines, and client communication status

• Ensure VIP and couture clients receive structured and timely servicing

• Maintain client workflow documentation and process consistency

3. Production & Design Supervision

• Oversee collection development timelines from design conceptualization to final production

• Track sampling progress, fittings, alterations, and final dispatch schedules

• Coordinate with karigars, masters, and production managers when required

• Ensure production deadlines align with retail launches, exhibitions, and client deliveries

• Monitor inter-department communication between design and production teams

• Identify workflow inefficiencies and implement corrective systems

4. Marketing & Brand Coordination

• Track campaign planning, shoot schedules, and launch timelines

• Ensure marketing execution aligns with collection readiness and retail timelines

• Oversee coordination between social media, PR, and design teams

• Monitor content approvals and brand messaging consistency

• Ensure campaigns are delivered as per schedule

5. Accounting & Financial Coordination

• Track payment cycles — client receivables and vendor payables

• Ensure billing accuracy for bespoke and couture orders

• Coordinate between accounting and sales for invoice clarity

• Monitor production costing sheets and financial summaries when required

• Ensure financial documentation related to projects is complete and structured

6. Vendor & External Partner Management

• Attend or coordinate vendor meetings when required

• Track material procurement timelines and supplier commitments

• Ensure vendor deliverables align with production schedules

• Maintain structured documentation of vendor agreements and commitments

• Resolve delays through proactive coordination

7. Process Creation, SOP Development & System Implementation

• Audit existing workflows across departments

• Identify inefficiencies and operational gaps

• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Create structured trackers, reporting formats, and accountability systems

• Ensure SOP compliance across teams

• Conduct periodic reviews to ensure processes are followed

• Bring operational discipline while respecting creative flexibility

8. Project Management & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Maintain centralized project trackers covering all collections, campaigns, production cycles, and internal initiatives

• Conduct structured follow-ups with department heads

• Ensure timelines are respected and escalations are addressed

• Coordinate approvals and maintain documentation of decisions

• Align departments toward unified execution goals

9. Reporting & Strategic Support

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports for the Founder

• Summarize key performance metrics across departments

• Highlight risks, delays, and operational inefficiencies

• Support the Founder with structured briefs before major meetings

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

10. Operational Efficiency & Business Optimization

• Identify areas where automation or structured systems can improve efficiency

• Optimize workflow between creative and operational teams

• Reduce redundancies and improve turnaround times

• Implement structured task delegation models

• Build frameworks that allow scalability

Senior-Level Expectations

• Operate with independent decision-making capability within defined authority

• Handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with structured execution

• Create, implement, and standardize systems across all cross-functional departments including Sales, Marketing, Production, Design, Accounting, and Operations

• Establish inter-department workflows that improve clarity, accountability, and turnaround time

• Ensure all teams adhere to implemented systems, SOPs, and reporting structures

• Continuously audit and refine operational processes to improve efficiency and scalability

• Act as the central operational anchor connecting all departments

• Maintain discretion and professional maturity in handling sensitive business matters

• Provide operational insights and structural recommendations to leadership for long-term growth

QUALFICATIONS & PREREQUISITIES:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Fashion Management, or related field

• Have Experience in the Couture/ Fashion Industry

• 3–6+ years of experience in similar roles

• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

• Experience with task tracking tools and documentation systems

• Good communication and organizational skills

• Ability to handle confidential information professionally