Director

Working with European leadership, you will translate business ambitions into practical market plans. You will determine where performance needs to improve, where investment can create value and what capabilities the organisation needs as its retail presence develops.

Your priorities will include:

• Delivering profitable growth. Own the trading agenda for the assigned markets, working with local leaders to improve revenue, store contribution and cost efficiency. Lead regular business reviews and turn findings into clear actions, ownership and deadlines.
• Developing country leadership. Manage and coach senior retail leaders, strengthen succession plans and build the management capability needed to support a larger business.
• Improving how the network operates. Lead retail support activities and establish practical standards for daily operations, opening readiness, compliance and performance reviews. Simplify processes and ensure local teams have effective guidance and support.
• Making disciplined expansion decisions. Assess opportunities with property and finance colleagues, challenge the commercial assumptions behind proposed locations and oversee delivery through to opening and early trading.
• Connecting customer experience with commercial results. Work with product, merchandising and marketing teams to improve availability, presentation and local execution. Use feedback from stores to inform wider business decisions.
• Coordinating across functions and borders. Resolve issues involving stock, logistics, recruitment and investment, balancing individual market needs with a consistent regional approach.

What success will look like

The retail portfolio will have clear commercial priorities, stronger country leadership and a consistent approach to measuring and improving performance. New locations will open with the right teams and operational support in place, while existing stores will benefit from better execution and more effective use of resources.

The experience we are looking for

You will bring an established career in international retail, including substantial senior leadership responsibility across several European countries. Your background should demonstrate:

• Ownership of a sizeable store portfolio, with accountability for financial results and operating standards.
• Experience leading senior managers across countries, rather than solely managing individual stores.
• A record of improving sales productivity, profitability and customer experience.
• Confidence with budgets, investment proposals and the commercial evaluation of retail opportunities.
• Experience introducing processes and management routines that remain effective as a business grows.
• The ability to work across different cultures and influence colleagues in regional and international functions.
• Experience in a consumer-facing, brand-led retail environment will be particularly relevant. We welcome candidates who combine sound strategic judgement with a willingness to engage closely with stores and solve practical operating problems.
• Fluent English and German is essential. Additional European languages are welcome, and regular travel across the region will be required.