At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK commercial strategy, managing P&L and driving growth across online and physical stores.
- Company: Gap Inc. operates iconic brands like Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic in over 60 countries.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence brand performance and work closely with partners in the UK market.
- Other info: Flexibility to travel regularly within the UK and occasionally internationally.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team to shape the commercial landscape of leading fashion brands in the UK.
- Qualifications: Requires 10+ years in senior commercial leadership within multi-channel retail, preferably fashion.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the Role
Gap Inc.'s B2B & International Commerce division have brought the Gap Inc. iconic brands Gap, Old Navy, Athleta and Banana Republic, to over 60+ countries across Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Commercial Director to lead the brand's performance across the UK market, spanning both online and physical store channels. As the primary commercial lead for the UK business, this role will own the P&L, deliver profitable growth, and drive the commercial strategy in alignment with the brand's global objectives working closely with the partner in the UK.
What You'll Do
- Develop and implement the UK commercial strategy in alignment with the partner to achieve strategic objectives and deliver against budgeted growth targets.
- Act as the senior commercial lead for the UK, with retail, revenue and margin accountability across both online and stores.
- Lead the annual business planning process, setting clear channel targets and KPIs for online and store performance.
- Seek growth opportunities across existing and new distribution channels, including e-commerce innovation, store expansion, and real estate optimisation.
- Identify risks and opportunities to the sales plan, collaborating with cross-functional teams and the partner to develop and implement action plans.
- Analyse sales performance, customer behaviour, and market data to generate actionable insights that drive trade and optimise the customer journey.
- Manage the UK commercial calendar for both online and stores, ensuring timely delivery of product launches, marketing campaigns, and promotional activity.
- Act as the primary link between UK market partner and global functional teams, ensuring effective two-way communication and alignment.
- Share market results, best practices, and lessons learned with the wider organisation to drive continuous improvement.
Who You Are
- Minimum of 10+ years' senior commercial leadership experience in a multi-channel retail environment, ideally within fashion or lifestyle sectors.
- Proven track record in online trading and physical retail management, with experience delivering sustained sales and margin growth.
- Strong commercial acumen with full P&L management experience.
- Advanced skills in data analytics, trading optimisation, and customer insight application.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills.
- A self-starter with integrity, drive, and the ability to make decisive, commercially sound decisions.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams to deliver results.
- Flexibility to travel regularly within the UK and occasionally internationally for market weeks or business reviews.
Director, Commercial Management - Europe Franchise in London employer: FashionUnited Group
Gap Inc. is a global leader in fashion retail, offering competitive benefits and a dynamic work environment. Located in the UK, the team focuses on innovative strategies for brand growth and customer engagement. Join a mission-driven company that values integrity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Commercial Management - Europe Franchise in 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 FashionUnited 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 FashionUnited Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Commercial Management - Europe Franchise in 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 FashionUnited 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 FashionUnited 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 FashionUnited Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at FashionUnited 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!
