At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire retail teams across North and East Europe for a premium brand.
- Company: Join COS, a modern wardrobe brand committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25% staff discount, extensive development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Full-time role based in London with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-level leadership role with strategic influence.
- Qualifications: Proven executive experience in multi-market retail and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
COS is a brand for the modern wardrobe, built on exceptional quality, lasting design and a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. As we continue to strengthen our global presence, we are seeking an experienced retail leader to join us in a role externally positioned as a Senior Retail Director / Vice President of Retail. Internally, this role is titled Regional Head of Sales, reflecting our organisational structure within H&M Group. The scope, influence and market presence, however, align with a senior executive position overseeing a significant European retail portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for our flagship and key market stores across North and East Europe. The role requires a considered, values‑led leader who combines strategic clarity, strong commercial judgement and the ability to build and inspire high‑performing teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic and commercial leadership: Define and deliver the strategic direction for the European retail business, balancing immediate results with long‑term, sustainable growth. Maintain a clear, data‑informed view of performance across all markets, identifying opportunities to drive productivity, optimise stock and strengthen overall profitability. Partner closely on the evolution of the store portfolio, including new openings, relocations and refurbishments, ensuring relevance and consistency across markets. Lead with insight, using key commercial metrics to inform decisions and drive focused, effective action.
- Service and operational excellence: Champion a service‑led culture, elevating the in‑store experience and positioning COS as a benchmark for thoughtful, premium retail. Drive operational excellence across markets, ensuring efficiency, consistency and adaptability within local frameworks. Collaborate cross‑functionally with teams across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance and HR to deliver aligned, end‑to‑end plans. Work in partnership with merchandising and global operations to optimise stock flow, localise assortments and strengthen the omnichannel customer experience.
- Leadership and organisational development: Shape the structure and capabilities of the European retail organisation, ensuring the right talent and ways of working are in place to deliver on strategic ambitions. Lead, coach and develop senior retail leaders, building a strong and future‑focused talent pipeline. Contribute as a core member of the European Leadership Team, ensuring retail insights inform broader business decisions. Champion COS values, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performing culture across all markets.
Qualifications
Alignment to our company values is the most important characteristic we look for in all new joiners. Our values are the behaviours that we appreciate above and beyond anything else. We are open-minded and curious, we dare to be different, we believe in constant improvement and we empower and trust you to take ownership. Our values are part of who we are, what we stand for and how we act.
What You Need To Succeed
- Executive experience – proven experience leading large‑scale, multi‑market retail environments, with full accountability for performance across flagship and key locations.
- Strategic perspective – shapes clear, long‑term direction, with a considered approach to navigating complexity and driving sustainable growth.
- Commercial insight – applies strong analytical thinking to understand performance, identify opportunities and translate insight into focused, effective action.
- Leadership – leads with clarity and purpose, building and developing high‑performing, collaborative teams.
- Service focus – champions a thoughtful, elevated customer experience, creating service‑led retail environments.
- Financial expertise – demonstrates a strong understanding of commercial and financial drivers, using data to inform decisions and outcomes.
- Collaboration – works seamlessly across functions, building strong partnerships to achieve shared goals.
- Values alignment – reflects COS values through an open mindset, a progressive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement and empowering others.
Additional Information
This is a full‑time permanent contract based at our Regional Office in London.
Benefits
- 25% staff discount usable on all our H&M Group brands in stores and online.
- Included in our H&M Incentive Program – HIP.
- 25 days holiday.
- Discounts on everyday brands and leisure activities.
- Retail Trust membership.
- Pension scheme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Inclusion & Diversity
At COS we are determined to create and maintain inclusive, diverse and equitable workplaces throughout our organisation. Our teams should consist of a variety of people who share and combine their knowledge, experience and ideas. Having a diverse workforce leads to a positive impact on how we address challenges, what we perceive as possible and how we choose to relate to our colleagues and customers all over the world, therefore all diversity dimensions are taken into consideration in our recruitment process.
Job Location: London, United Kingdom.
COS Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe employer: BoF Careers
COS is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering extensive opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Located in London, our Regional Office provides a vibrant environment where you can thrive, supported by attractive benefits such as a generous staff discount, pension scheme, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us to lead a high-performing team and make a meaningful impact in the retail landscape across North and East Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land COS Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like BoF Careers, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like BoF Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace COS Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at BoF Careers, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at BoF Careers and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show BoF Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at BoF Careers
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
