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- Tasks: Lead a retail transformation, energise teams, and drive performance improvements.
- Company: Fast-paced, premium retail brand based in London.
- Benefits: High-impact role with immediate influence and leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a dynamic environment and shape retail culture.
- Qualifications: Extensive multi-site leadership experience in premium retail or service-led hospitality.
- Other info: Hands-on role for a credible operator ready to tackle challenges.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
You’ll be joining a fast-paced, premium retail brand as Interim Retail Director, based in London.
The role involves taking full operational ownership of the UK retail estate for an 8-12 week transformation mandate, acting as the most senior retail leader in the business and working closely with the CEO. This is a hands-on role for an experienced operator who thrives on resetting standards, energising teams and driving measurable performance improvement.
You will:
- 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.
You are a senior, credible retail operator with extensive multi-site leadership experience 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.
If you’re ready to step into a high-impact interim role where your experience will make an immediate difference, apply via the form below.
Interim Retail Director employer: Artisan People
Contact Detail:
Artisan People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Retail Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry and let them know you're on the lookout for an interim role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and recent developments. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their brand and is ready to make an impact from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around driving performance improvement and leading teams through change. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Retail Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how you energise teams and drive performance, so share specific examples of your past successes in similar roles.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous jobs; dive into the details! We’re looking for your multi-site leadership experience and turnaround stories. Use metrics where possible to showcase your impact – numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our brand and the specific role. We love candidates who take the time to understand our culture and values, so reflect that in your writing. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone with gravitas and warmth, so a touch of your unique voice can make your application memorable. Apply through our website and let’s get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Artisan People
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research the retail brand thoroughly. Understand their values, culture, and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Given the hands-on nature of the Interim Retail Director role, be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've successfully led teams through change. Think about challenges you've faced, how you addressed them, and the measurable outcomes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a strong leader who can energise teams and reset standards. Be prepared to articulate your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. Highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to make tough decisions while maintaining team morale.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
As a commercially driven operator, you should be able to discuss key performance indicators relevant to retail, such as conversion rates and average transaction value. Prepare to share how you've used data to drive performance improvements in previous roles, and be ready to suggest how you would implement similar strategies in this position.
