At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail strategy and execution, ensuring a premium consumer experience.
- Company: Join Dr. Martens, a global icon with over 60 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous discounts, private healthcare, and more.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment where individuality is celebrated.
- Why this job: Shape the future of an iconic brand while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading multi-country retail operations and strong people leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Dr.
Martens is more than a brand - it's a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact.
We're a thriving, values- driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work.
If you're ready to make your mark, you're in the right place.
At DM, our values guide everything we do
- Be Yourself ,
- Act Courageously ,
Show You Care . They're not just words - they're how we turn passion into progress.
- WHERE YOU SIT
- As our
- Head of Retail , you'll be part of the
Commercial team working closely with brilliant people across the business and reporting into
General Manager.
You'll be right at the heart of fast-moving projects that shape how we show up for our consumers - today and tomorrow.
WHERE YOU CONTRIBUTE
The Head of Retail leads the retail channel strategy and execution across Markets, ensuring stores deliver a premium, consumer-centric experience aligned with brand positioning.
This role drives profitable growth through operational excellence, people leadership, and omnichannel integration, while optimising the retail estate to meet market needs.
It plays a critical role in achieving strategic priorities: engaging more consumers, driving more purchase occasions, and curating market-right distribution.
- CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- As our
Head of Retail , you will be responsible for
- Defining and delivering the retail strategy for markets, including estate optimisation, store formats, openings, closures and upgrades, while ensuring consistent consumer experience standards.
- Owning retail P&L and commercial performance, driving revenue, profit and margin growth while improving full-price sales, conversion, footfall, ASP and NPS.
- Driving operational excellence across retail, establishing effective processes and standards for operations, compliance, health & safety and inventory management.
- Leading and developing Regional Managers and retail teams, building a high-performing, consumer-centric culture focused on accountability, engagement and succession.
- Partnering across Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce and Global Supply Chain to deliver connected omnichannel experiences, seasonal activations and market-led improvements to global frameworks.
- KEY SKILLS & CAPABILITIES
Put simply, the key things we're looking for are
- Proven experience leading large, multi-country retail operations within a premium or lifestyle brand, with strong expertise in retail estate strategy and operations.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing P&L, profitability targets and data-driven retail KPIs.
- Inspirational people leadership skills, with the ability to engage diverse teams, build succession pipelines and drive high performance.
- Deep understanding of consumer experience and omnichannel retail, with the ability to navigate complexity and lead change in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence working across global and local teams.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Hybrid working
- Welcome free pair of Docs
- Buy as you Earn Share scheme
- 65% off all Docs
- 50% off Accessories
- Pension Scheme through Aviva
- Life Assurance
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
- Private healthcare
- 2 paid volunteer days per year
READY TO FILL YOUR BOOTS?
If you're excited to own your impact, shape the future of an iconic brand, and grow your career in a place that champions individuality - we'd love to hear from you.
Application closing date: Friday 11th of September 2026
At Dr.
Martens, we are committed to creating an environment in which we can all be our best and bring our authentic selves to work.
We encourage applications, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability.
Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our brand; helping us to speak authentically to our consumers.
We strive to develop a business where our people can thrive and feel empowered to express themselves.
Because we believe everyone should feel supported and included whatever their role in the Dr.
Martens community.
Head of Retail - UK & Ireland employer: Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens is an excellent employer that champions a diverse and values-driven workforce, offering a hybrid work model that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and continuous improvement, you will have access to great benefits and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate teams across the UK and EU, making a meaningful impact in payroll delivery and compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail - UK & Ireland
✨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 Dr. Martens, 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 Dr. Martens!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail - UK & Ireland
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 Dr. Martens, 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 Dr. Martens 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 Dr. Martens that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dr. Martens
✨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!
