At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire retail teams across Central and South Europe for a premium brand.
- Company: Join COS, a modern wardrobe brand known for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 25% staff discount, extensive development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible remote work options available, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-level leadership role with a focus on growth and excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven executive experience in multi-market retail and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Overview
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 Central and South 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 - Brings 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
We offer all our employees attractive benefits with extensive development opportunities around the globe. All our employees receive a 25% staff discount usable on all our H&M Group brands in stores and online. In addition to our staff discount, all our employees are included in our H&M Incentive Program - HIP.
In addition to this, London-based colleagues also receive:
- 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.
Brand Description
COS offers a wardrobe of ready-to-wear and accessories rooted in exceptional quality and lasting design. The brand has an elevated aesthetic that embodies luxury with an emphasis on craftsmanship, innovation and compelling fashion movements.
In this role you will have some flexibility to work remotely however due to the high level of cross department collaborations approx. 4 days per week office presence is required to foster strong collaborations and team work.
Ready to apply? This description may include application instructions contained within this posting.
Please note this position is offered on a local contract, therefore you should have the legal right to work in the UK before applying. Other candidates are welcome to register their interest and we will keep you in mind for future opportunities.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Job Location: London, UK (Regional Office)
COS Regional Head of Sales - Central and South Europe employer: Cos
COS is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering extensive opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Based in London, employees benefit from a generous 25% staff discount across all H&M Group brands, a comprehensive incentive programme, and additional perks such as discounted gym memberships and a pension scheme, all while being part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation and craftsmanship.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land COS Regional Head of Sales - Central and South Europe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who have experience with COS or similar brands. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even referrals that could get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching COS's values and recent initiatives. Show us how your leadership style aligns with our commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic thinking and service focus.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the role of Regional Head of Sales. We want to hear how you plan to drive sustainable growth and inspire high-performing teams across Central and South Europe.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the COS family and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace COS Regional Head of Sales - Central and South Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail:When writing your application, let your love for retail shine through! Share specific examples of how you've led teams or driven sales in previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about the industry and our brand.
Align with Our Values:Make sure to highlight how your personal values align with COS's. We’re all about being open-minded, daring to be different, and constantly improving. Use your application to demonstrate how you embody these values in your work and leadership style.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves strategic decision-making, it’s crucial to showcase your analytical skills. Include examples of how you've used data to inform your decisions and drive results in past positions. We love a candidate who can back up their strategies with solid insights!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t hesitate to let your personality come through in your application. Share your unique approach to leadership and team building. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can inspire and connect with others, so let us see the real you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cos
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Regional Head of Sales, you need to be data-savvy. Brush up on key performance metrics relevant to retail, such as sales growth, inventory turnover, and customer satisfaction scores. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a strong leader who can inspire teams. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, particularly how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a collaborative culture. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them while empowering others.
✨Align with COS Values
COS values are at the heart of their operations. Familiarise yourself with these values and think about how they resonate with your own professional philosophy. During the interview, share personal anecdotes that demonstrate your alignment with being open-minded, curious, and committed to continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect to engage in conversations about strategic direction and market opportunities. Come prepared with insights on current retail trends in Central and South Europe, and be ready to discuss how you would approach the evolution of the store portfolio. Show that you can balance immediate results with long-term growth.
