At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive growth for Debenhams' digital transformation.
- Company: Join Debenhams, a historic brand evolving into a leading digital department store.
- Benefits: Influential role with ownership, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of retail.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative retail environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in e-commerce, strong leadership, and commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
At Debenhams Group, we’re transforming one of Britain’s most iconic retail names into a leading digital department store, with ambitions that extend far beyond the UK. Our vision is to become the number one destination for fashion, beauty and home, bringing together our own brands and an ever-growing marketplace of incredible brand partners.
We’re looking for an exceptional Commercial Director to work alongside the Managing Director and lead Debenhams' commercial performance and growth. This is a high-impact leadership role with ownership across our key divisions, including Marketplace, Fashion Brands, Beauty, Premium Brands, Brand Room and Outlet.
Combining strategic thinking with relentless commercial execution, you’ll bring together trading, customer insight, data and market intelligence to drive GMV, revenue and profitability – while identifying the opportunities that will shape our next phase of growth.
The successful candidate will bring experience from a fast-paced, multi-channel, multi-brand retail or e-commerce environment, with a strong background in trading, merchandising or commercial leadership and a proven track record of driving growth and performance.
This is a highly visible leadership role, based at our Debenhams Group HQ on Dale Street, Manchester, 5 days a week.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
- Partner with the Managing Director to shape and deliver the commercial strategy for Debenhams.
- Own overall trading performance, driving GMV, revenue, margin, conversion, AOV and customer value.
- Lead the end-to-end commercial and promotional calendar, ensuring we maximise every key trading opportunity.
- Identify and deliver new revenue streams, partnerships and commercial opportunities.
- Use customer, competitor and trading insight to identify opportunities and make faster, better commercial decisions.
- Work across Marketplace, Buying, Merchandising and Beauty to optimise assortment, pricing, promotions, availability and category mix.
- Partner with the Marketplace Director to attract, develop and grow high-quality brands and strategic partners.
- Build influential senior relationships with key brands, retailers and commercial partners.
- Negotiate commercial terms and partnerships that create sustainable value for Debenhams and our partners.
- Work closely with Marketing, Digital, Product and Technology to drive customer acquisition, engagement, frequency and retention.
- Partner with Finance on budgets, forecasts, investment decisions and profitability.
- Lead and develop the Trading team, creating clear accountability, pace and high performance.
- Provide clear commercial insight and recommendations to the MD and senior leadership team.
- Stay ahead of developments across retail, marketplaces, digital, personalisation and AI, translating them into commercial opportunities.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- You’ll be an established commercial leader with a track record of delivering significant growth in a digital consumer business.
- Senior commercial leadership experience across e-commerce, marketplaces, retail, fashion, beauty or a comparable digital business.
- A proven track record of growing revenue, GMV, margin and profitability.
- Strong understanding of digital trading, marketplace economics and customer behaviour.
- Excellent financial and analytical capability with strong commercial judgement.
- Experience building and negotiating significant brand, supplier and strategic partnerships.
- The ability to combine long-term commercial strategy with hands-on trading execution.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing commercial teams.
- Confidence operating with MD, C-suite and Board-level stakeholders.
- An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment.
YOU’LL BE
- Commercially hungry – always looking for the next opportunity to drive growth.
- Customer obsessed – putting customer value at the heart of commercial decisions.
- Data driven – using insight and analysis alongside strong commercial instinct.
- Strategic but hands-on – equally comfortable setting the direction and getting into the detail.
- Entrepreneurial – challenging convention, moving quickly and creating solutions.
- Decisive and accountable – taking ownership and making things happen.
- An inspirational leader – building brilliant teams and bringing people with you.
WHY DEBENHAMS
This is an opportunity to play a significant role in the next chapter of Debenhams. We’re building a faster, more agile, technology-led and marketplace-driven business with huge ambition for the future.
For the right Commercial Director, that means the opportunity to have real influence, real ownership and a measurable impact on our growth.
BE BRAVE. BE CREATIVE. BE A COMMUNITY.
Fashion. Beauty. Lifestyle. For Everyone.
Commercial Director in Manchester employer: Debenhams-Group
Debenhams Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Manchester, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to numerous opportunities for professional development while working alongside industry leaders in fashion and media. The company's commitment to innovation and meaningful partnerships ensures that your contributions will not only elevate the brand but also make a significant impact in the retail landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in Manchester
✨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 Debenhams-Group, 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 Debenhams-Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in Manchester
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 Debenhams-Group, 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 Debenhams-Group 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 Debenhams-Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams-Group
✨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!
