Freelance VM Specialist

Join Papier as a Freelance VM Specialist!
Location: Remote (occasional travel dependent ​on project)
Reports to: Head of Design & Creative Ops
Team: ​Retail

About Papier
At Papier, we believe in the power of the blank page. Since the business was founded in London in 2015, we've been crafting beautifully designed stationery—from journals and planners to wedding invitations—that inspire creativity and meaningful connections. With over £60 million raised and a growing presence in the UK, US and beyond, we're on a mission to make everyday moments noteworthy. 

Role purpose
Papier is a design-led stationery and personalised gifting brand, and retail is an increasingly important way customers experience us in person, through concessions, trade shows and pop-ups. As that physical presence grows, we need a dedicated visual merchandising specialist to make sure every space we appear in looks and feels unmistakably Papier, from the customer's first impression to the fixtures they touch.

This is a new, fractional role: we've identified a steady stream of retail design work, such as concession layouts, trade show stands and bespoke fixtures, that need dedicated expertise on a project-by-project basis. You'll be our go-to designer for how Papier shows up physically, working closely with our internal team and being brought in directly on projects as they arise, with scope for the role to grow as our retail footprint does.

• Proven experience in visual merchandising, retail design or store/fixture design — ideally including both trade show/event environments and permanent or semi-permanent retail fixtures.
• A strong portfolio showing spatial planning, fixture or display design, and an eye for brand-led visual storytelling.
• Comfort designing within a third party's guidelines and constraints (e.g. a department store's own visual and structural standards), as well as greenfield spaces.
• Practical knowledge of fixture production — materials, finishes, costs and what's realistic to fabricate and install.
• Confident with design/visualisation tools of your choice (e.g. SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, or equivalent) to communicate concepts clearly to non-designers.
• Independent and comfortable working fractionally — able to pick up a brief, deliver against it, and manage your own time across a small number of days a month.
• Based in the UK, with the flexibility to travel to sites, trade shows or supplier/fabricator visits as projects require.

• Working with our retailer partners to propose Papier concession layouts, considering customer shopping journey, signage and product storytelling.
• Working within our Design & Brand identity to refine the overall visual identity and styling of a space.
• Translating trade show or concession briefs into stand-out, on-brand physical environments (e.g. Shoppe Object).
• Designing fixtures for third-party retail environments where Papier has a presence (e.g. Selfridges), working within the retailer's own guidelines and constraints.
• Producing concept visuals & layouts that both Papier's team and external contractors/fabricators can work from.
• Briefing internal teams or external fabricators or contractors on design intent, and reviewing their output against Papier's brand and concept.
• Advising on materials, finishes and production feasibility as needed.
• On-location visual merchandising support or liaising with VM contractors where necessary to facilitate project setup.

At Papier, we’re all about celebrating different perspectives because creativity flourishes when everyone has a voice. We're a curious, kind-hearted community, and we believe that every paper person should feel seen, supported and inspired to bring their full self to work. Inclusivity isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we build into everything we do, from how we hire to how we collaborate day-to-day. We’re proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, welcoming people from all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
If you're ready to lead with creativity, inspire a team, and make a tangible impact in a growing company, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a community that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and connection.