At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the NBA Store team, drive sales, and ensure top-notch customer experiences.
- Company: Join Fanatics, a global leader in sports retail with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Work on Oxford Street in a fast-paced, collaborative atmosphere.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting flagship store and connect fans with their favourite teams.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26771 - 32721 £ per year.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The General Manager will lead the full store team at Fanatics’ flagship NBA Store on Oxford Street, driving sales performance, maintaining first-class commercial and visual standards, and ensuring the store is always ready for product launches and key NBA calendar moments. Working closely with Retail Operations and Merchandising teams, this role integrates flagship trading with the broader NBA calendar, including season tip-off, playoffs, and international games. The General Manager delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.
HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT
Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.
- Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Retail Operations, Merchandising, Stock, and Visual Merchandising functions to ensure seamless product launches, peak trading preparation, and alignment to the NBA calendar. Maintain effective communication with head office functions and wider business stakeholders to ensure the flagship operation integrates with broader commercial priorities.
- People Leadership: Lead, motivate, and develop the full store team — permanent, core, and casual — setting clear standards, accountability, and development pathways. Manage performance, conduct, attendance, and succession planning in line with company policies, ensuring the team is trained and ready for peak periods and major launches. Build rotas, manage availability, and deploy resource effectively to maximise sales potential and deliver an outstanding fan experience.
- Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)
- Ensure the store consistently delivers an outstanding fan and customer experience befitting a flagship Oxford Street location. Coach the team to deliver knowledgeable, engaging, and efficient service that connects fans to the products and moments they care about. Maintain first-class visual merchandising, presentation, and housekeeping standards at all times, raising the bar during product launches, campaigns, and major NBA moments. Ensure all promotional activity and event activations are executed to the required standard, reflecting the premium nature of the Fanatics flagship.
- Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)
- Use floor space, product placement, and team deployment creatively to maximise sales potential across the flagship trading floors. Identify and act on opportunities to improve conversion, AOV, and UPT through commercial awareness and data-informed decision-making. Take prompt, decisive action on operational risks, compliance gaps, and performance challenges as they arise. Bring fresh thinking to how the store executes around NBA calendar moments, ensuring the flagship remains a destination experience for fans.
- Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)
- Own daily store operations end-to-end — opening and closing routines, transactions, till management, security, and replenishment — holding the team accountable to the highest standards. Drive KPIs including footfall, conversion, AOV, and UPT, taking clear action to sustain and improve performance against targets. Own budgeting, forecasting, and performance reviews alongside the Assistant Store Manager, managing payroll and controllable costs within agreed budgets. Minimise stock and financial loss through strong controls, regular checks, and full compliance with company policies on transactions, security, and health and safety.
AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY
We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:
- Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
- Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
- Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
- Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING
Required Qualifications:
- Proven retail management experience with a track record of achieving sales targets and driving commercial growth in a high-footfall environment.
- Strong people management, coaching, and development skills, with experience leading large or multi-tier store teams.
- Demonstrated ability to drive KPIs — including conversion, AOV, and UPT — through effective leadership and floor management.
- Strong visual merchandising and commercial awareness, with the ability to use space and product placement to maximise sales.
- Experience managing budgets, forecasting, and controllable costs, including payroll, within agreed parameters.
- Ability to operate with autonomy, manage competing priorities, and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience in sports, licensed apparel, or flagship/high-footfall retail is desirable.
WORK LOCATION
On-site: Your work location will be onsite in NBA Store, Oxford Street.
At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
General Retail Manager, NBA Store (London) employer: Fanatics Collectibles
Fanatics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and passion for sports converge. As a Senior Retoucher, you'll be part of a collaborative team dedicated to delivering high-quality collectibles, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in a vibrant industry hub, Fanatics fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, ensuring that employees are not only valued but also empowered to make a meaningful impact in the world of sports.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Retail Manager, NBA Store (London)
✨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 Fanatics Collectibles, 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 Fanatics Collectibles!
We think you need these skills to ace General Retail Manager, NBA Store (London)
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 Fanatics Collectibles, 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 Fanatics Collectibles 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 Fanatics Collectibles that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fanatics Collectibles
✨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!
