Retail Development Director - EMEA in London

Retail Development Director - EMEA in London

London Full-Time 49500 - 60500 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead retail strategies and partnerships to drive growth across EMEA.
  • Company: Join NBCUniversal, a global leader in media and entertainment.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for community engagement.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of retail in entertainment and inspire fans worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail marketing and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.

The Regional Retail Director will partner with EMEA Retail, Franchise, Category and E-commerce teams to deliver incremental revenue growth through best-in-class retail execution, shopper activation, strategic retailer partnerships and channel development. The role will define, lead and evolve the EMEA Retail Development strategy, increasing product placement, visibility and sell-through, driving media value and delivering measurable Return on Investment (ROI) on marketing spend. The role will drive a consistent EMEA retail approach, creating alignment across markets through a deep understanding of local market dynamics and balancing regional priorities with market-specific needs. Working closely with all teams, the Regional Retail Director will foster collaboration, operational excellence, scale best practices and deliver sustainable growth across the region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Drive Retail Growth and Shopper Activation
  • Develop and lead annual retail activation plans, in partnership with the HUB teams, tied to global opportunities, driving alignment across the region to enhance sell through and ROI.
  • Identify, share and scale high-performing retail programmes and best practices across EMEA to maximise impact and efficiency.
  • Establish clear retail performance measures, in partnership with EMEA Finance, to evaluate activity effectiveness and inform investment decisions.
  • Continuously review retail execution to ensure EMEA organization remains focused on the high impact opportunities.
  • Support building stronger partnerships through expertise and collaboration.
  • Prioritize key retailers, with an aligned regional approach, where appropriate.
  • Manage, coach, and develop the Regional Retail Manager.
  • Build a collaborative, commercially focused EMEA retail culture that promotes accountability, best practice adoption and consistent communication.
  • Provide leadership, direction and strategic alignment for EMEA Retail Development across Retail, Franchise, Category and E-commerce teams.
  • Ensure retail, shopper and trade marketing are integrated, with consistent measurement, prioritisation and ROI assessment.
  • Partner closely with the E-commerce team to develop integrated retail and digital strategies, ensuring aligned priorities, execution and performance measurement.
  • Foster global collaboration across regions, representing EMEA Retail Teams and leveraging shared learning, successful programs and retail trends.
  • Partner with Franchise team to develop early, adaptable and insightful selling tools.

Drive Channel-Led Category Optimisation

  • Partner with category teams to identify and unlock under-served consumer segments, categories and price points, maximising opportunities across channels and key retailers.
  • Partner with regional category teams to develop relationship with key regional and master toy partners on joint activity, spend and overall alignment.
  • Partner with category teams and retailers to leverage exclusive product, activation and differentiation strategies that strengthen retailer relationships and drive incremental growth.
  • Leverage retailer loyalty programmes and consumer insights to strengthen engagement, drive conversion and support broader Consumer Products objectives.

Create Operational Efficiencies and Clear Communication

  • Create alignment across Retail, Franchise, Category and E-commerce teams through shared objectives, planning frameworks, governance and performance measures.
  • Drive effective communication and information sharing across EMEA, enabling stronger cross-market collaboration, visibility and decision-making.
  • Develop and implement best-in-class retail frameworks, tools and playbooks that improve consistency, capability and execution across EMEA.
  • Enable cross market sharing of retail concepts, pitches and learnings.
  • Upskill organization on retail KPIs, buyer's requirements and tailor UP&E pitches & solutions.
  • Establish clear regional and Hub roles, responsibilities and governance to improve decision-making, accountability and execution.
  • Monitor and share relevant local, regional and global retail trends.
  • Translate insights into actionable recommendations to inform commercial planning and decision-making.
  • Ensure EMEA DTR & Regional Category Teams have timely access to insights.

ABOUT YOU

  • Results driven – own the numbers, be invested and be hungry to grow the business.
  • Collaborative leader - ability to influence and align stakeholders across a matrixed organization.
  • Team player - ability to collaborate and work for mutual benefit to deliver success across a matrixed organization.
  • Commercial - with the ability to make changes to maximise return on investment.
  • Influencer - Exceptional influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align and inspire teams across a complex matrix organization.
  • Creative problem solver – universally creative and pro-actively seek solutions.
  • Trusted to deliver – autonomous, taking on ownership and responsibility for tasks.
  • Adaptable, agile & flexible – able to pivot quickly, adapt strategies and deal with change.
  • Curious – continuously seeking to understand the market.
  • Resilient – not afraid to fall, getting back up and keep putting in the effort.
  • Passionate – energetic, engaged, positive and desiring to make a difference.
  • Strategic thinker - ability to balance long-term vision and near-term commercial delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Basic Requirements:
  • Experience within a fast-paced and dynamic commercial organization.
  • Knowledge of retail marketing including trade marketing, social media and digital marketing.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams, stakeholder management and influencing skills across a complex, matrixed organization (ideally regional).
  • Strategic leadership experience, with the ability to define and execute regional commercial, retail or go-to-market strategies.
  • Excellent presentation skills and strong communicator with the ability to build effective internal and external relationships.
  • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organisational alignment.
  • Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint.
  • Confidence and ability to work independently, representing and driving regional growth.
  • Strong analytical capability, with experience using data and insights to drive decision-making.
  • Strong financial/ commercial acumen and budget management experience.
  • Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Desired Characteristics:

  • Licensing or retail experience preferred.
  • Additional language skills a bonus.

Retail Development Director - EMEA in London employer: NBC Universal

At NBCUniversal, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and innovation in the heart of the UK's entertainment industry. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programs and opportunities for advancement, while our inclusive culture ensures that every voice is heard and valued. With a focus on community engagement and a passion for delivering world-class experiences, joining our team means being part of a company that not only shapes the future of entertainment but also invests in the well-being of its employees and the communities we serve.

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Contact Details:

NBC Universal Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Development Director - EMEA 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 NBC Universal, 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 NBC Universal!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Development Director - EMEA in London

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Time Management
Flexibility
Compassion
Teamwork

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 NBC Universal, 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 NBC Universal 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 NBC Universal that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at NBC Universal

✨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!