Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy

Overview

On’s vision is to become the world’s most premium sportswear brand. To accelerate this ambition, the Department Store channel will serve as a key growth engine, elevating our premium positioning through access to iconic doors in major global cities. With a strong focus on apparel and the female consumer while continuing to drive footwear and accessories, this channel offers a unique opportunity to deliver differentiated brand experiences through premium placement and best-in-class adjacencies.

The Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy will shape and lead our strategy across the region, building scalable models, enabling commercial success, and ensuring elevated execution across wholesale, concession, and 3rd-party partnerships. This role will act as the strategic connector across Global Retail, Merchandising, Product, Strategy, and EMEA sub-regions/markets, while also leading a major partnership with Central Group, where the majority of our concessions will be located.

• Own and drive the EMEA department store strategy in line with On’s premium and retail ambitions
• Define differentiated channel roles, business models, and growth pathways across the region.
• Lead the expansion of elevated concessions and flagship Shop-in-Shops across key cities
• Define and deploy the optimal commercial model by partner, market and category
• Position department stores as a core brand building platform, with a focus on premium placement and ensure the right brand adjacencies to elevate our voice to our customer base.
• Build and lead senior level partnerships, including anchor concession partners
• Act as the central integrator across global and regional teams, owning standards, execution, and KPIs

• 8+ years in premium/luxury apparel, sportswear, or lifestyle brands
• Proven experience working with luxury department stores across Europe and driving exponential growth in priority doors through a combination of long-term strategic planning and decisive short-term actions
• Background in channel strategy, retail, brand management, sales, or merchandising
• Experience with multi-model commercial structures such as concession, wholesale, and 3rd-party operators
• Working with cross-functional and cross-channel teams
• Strong understanding of apparel merchandising and the consumer journey across the channels

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.