At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire retail teams across North and East Europe for a premium fashion brand.
- Company: Join COS, a brand known for quality, craftsmanship, and innovative design.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 25% staff discount, generous holiday, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible remote work options with a focus on collaboration and team success.
- 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.
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.
This is a full time permanent contract based at our Regional Office in London.
BenefitsWe 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
At COS we’re 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.
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? Click on the I’M INTERESTED link where you can upload your CV securely. Once we have received your application, we will keep you updated regularly about the status of your application so please look out for our email.
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!
Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe in London employer: Cos
At COS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusivity and collaboration. Our London-based team enjoys extensive development opportunities, a generous benefits package including a 25% staff discount, and a commitment to fostering talent within a high-performing environment. Join us in shaping the future of retail while enjoying a fulfilling career with a brand that values craftsmanship and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who might have insights into COS or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching COS’s values and recent initiatives. Show us how your experience aligns with their commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic leadership 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’d drive growth and inspire teams across North and East Europe. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we keep you updated on your application status, so you won’t be left in the dark.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head of Sales - North and East Europe in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your values align with ours and how you can contribute to our mission at COS.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV for this specific role. Highlight your experience in leading retail environments and any strategic initiatives you've successfully implemented. We love seeing relevant examples!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application securely. Plus, we’ll keep you updated on your application status, so keep an eye on your inbox!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cos
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Regional Head of Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your commercial insight. Brush up on key performance metrics relevant to retail, such as sales growth, profit margins, and inventory turnover. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to build and inspire high-performing teams. Prepare stories that illustrate how you've developed talent and fostered a collaborative culture in past positions.
✨Align with Company Values
COS values are crucial to their culture. Familiarise yourself with these values and prepare to discuss how your personal values align with them. Share specific instances where you've demonstrated open-mindedness, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Given the emphasis on collaboration across various departments, think about how you've successfully partnered with teams like Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Marketing. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve worked together to achieve shared goals and enhance the customer experience.