At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform the retail culture, driving performance and team engagement.
- Company: Fast-paced, premium retail brand with a focus on excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role, shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: 10-20+ years in retail or hospitality leadership with a proven turnaround track record.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team and thrive in a fast-moving environment.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 102000 £ per year.
£90k - £110k p.a. | London
You’ll be joining a fast-paced, premium retail brand as their Retail Director, based in London with some travel to stores required.
The role:
- Take full operational ownership of the UK retail estate, acting as the most senior retail leader in the business and working closely with the CEO.
- Lead a full reset of retail culture and in-store standards, including presentation, hygiene, service behaviours and selling energy.
- Establish clear non-negotiables and implement daily and weekly leadership disciplines.
- Assess area managers, store managers and senior sales teams to identify high potential, capability gaps and performance issues.
- Introduce a clear weekly performance cadence covering conversion, ATV, footfall and standards compliance.
- Design and roll out a practical sales training framework with embedded in-store coaching.
- Refresh in-store promotional activity, theatre and sales missions to drive engagement and urgency.
- Support senior leadership with ER, conduct and people performance issues.
- Assess succession, mentor internal talent and recommend a long-term retail leadership structure.
- Deliver a final report outlining actions taken, outcomes achieved and next-phase recommendations.
Sound like you? You are a senior, credible retail operator with 10–20+ years in retail or hospitality leadership roles and a proven track record of delivering turnarounds. You bring gravitas, warmth and clarity, balancing high standards with emotional intelligence. Comfortable making tough decisions, you are commercially driven, hands-on and energised by fast-moving environments. Your background is likely within premium or aspirational retail or service-led hospitality, and you know how to lead large teams through cultural and operational change.
Retail Director in City of London employer: Artisan People Group
Contact Detail:
Artisan People Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Director in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the retail industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their culture, values, and recent developments. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your leadership experience and how you've driven performance improvements in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining us!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Director in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for retail shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our vision and how you can energise teams and drive performance. Make it personal and relatable!
Be Specific: Use concrete examples from your past roles to demonstrate your achievements. Whether it's resetting standards or leading a team through change, we love seeing measurable results that highlight your capabilities.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. Take the time to tailor your application to the Retail Director role. Highlight relevant experiences that showcase your leadership style and operational expertise in premium retail.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Artisan People Group
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the brand's history, values, and current market position. Understand their retail culture and what sets them apart in the premium sector. This knowledge will not only impress but also help you align your vision with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully led teams through change. Prepare specific examples of how you've reset standards or improved performance in previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your gravitas and emotional intelligence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific challenges, like improving store performance or managing team dynamics. Think about past experiences where you’ve tackled similar issues and be ready to share your thought process and outcomes.
✨Have a Vision for the Future
Articulate your vision for the retail estate and how you plan to energise teams and drive measurable improvements. Discuss innovative ideas for training frameworks or promotional activities that could enhance customer engagement and sales. Show them you're not just a fit for today, but for tomorrow too.