Head of Retail, North Territory EMEA

Job Mission

As the Head of Retail for Territory North, you are the Retail Director EMEA’s strategic partner and the senior field leader accountable for translating EMEA strategy into market impact across multiple markets. You will lead commercial and operational performance, shape the regional retail organization, and build capability through your Area Managers. This is a senior, hands‑on role requiring executive presence, cross‑functional influence, and a proven track record of delivering profitable growth in multi‑market retail environments.

This role requires strategic leadership across diverse markets with strong seasonal demand, longer travel distances between locations, and a need for local commercial adaptation while maintaining global brand standards with the ability to travel 70‑80% on average.

Location:

Within the assigned North region, ideally based near a store or office. Reporting to:
Retail Director, EMEA. Direct reports:
Area Managers across North territory. Cluster North: UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark.

• Strategic & Commercial Accountabilities
  • Cluster strategy and growth:
    Define and deliver the cluster retail strategy aligned to EMEA priorities; prioritise investments, local initiatives and resource allocation to grow market share, margin and customer loyalty.
  • P&L and commercial ownership:
    In partnership with Finance and Commercial teams, own the commercial levers that drive top‑line and margin performance (pricing, assortment, promotions, productivity). Set stretch targets and hold the region accountable for delivery.
  • Market adaptation:
    Translate global campaigns and assortments into locally relevant plans that capitalise on seasonal peaks and regional consumer behaviour. Use sales, traffic, inventory and CRM analytics to identify opportunities and risks; implement targeted interventions to improve conversion, ATV and stock turn.
• Operational Leadership & Execution
  • Operational excellence:
    Ensure consistent execution of the New Balance operational standards across owned & operated stores. Embed rigorous audit, compliance and loss‑prevention disciplines.
  • Estate & Openings:
    Partner expansion team with site selection input, opening plans and post‑opening ramp strategies; ensure new stores meet commercial milestones and deliver expected ROI.
  • Risk and cost control:
    Manage regional operating costs, shrinkage targets and stock control processes; ensure robust processes across omnichannel fulfilment points.
  • Brand and customer experience:
    Safeguard visual merchandising, service standards and local activations to deliver a consistent, locally relevant New Balance experience.
  • Leadership, People & Stakeholder Management:
    Line manage Area Managers who in turn manage Store Managers across the cluster. Set clear objectives, run structured performance and talent reviews, and ensure consistent coaching and capability development across the region. Build bench strength through targeted development plans, training programmes and succession planning in partnership with HR.
  • Cross‑functional influence:
    Act as the primary interface between field operations and EMEA functions (Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR, Finance). Influence assortment, allocation and trade marketing decisions to reflect local market needs.
  • External relationships:
    Own relationships with landlords, shopping centre operators and key retail partners.

• Experience, Skills & Attributes
  • Minimum 5+ years area/territory management with progressive responsibility; proven success in multi‑market retail leadership, ideally in sportswear, footwear or lifestyle retail.
  • Executive presence, strong commercial judgement, decisive under pressure, and a track record of building capability in dispersed/remote teams.
  • Advanced analytical capability; P&L and budget ownership; expertise in audit, shrinkage control and retail operations.
  • Entrepreneurial, change‑oriented, autonomous and comfortable operating with remote leadership.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present, influence and engage teams.
• KPIs & Success Measures
  • Commercial:
    Regional same‑store sales…