At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail strategy and operations across multiple markets in the North EMEA region.
- Company: Join New Balance, a brand committed to innovation and positive community impact since 1906.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a culture of diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: High travel requirement (70-80%) and flexible availability for peak trading periods.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while making a real impact in diverse markets.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in multi-market retail leadership with strong commercial and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Who We Are: Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION: As the Head of Retail for Territory North, you are the Retail Director EMEA’s strategic partner and the senior field leader accountable for translating EMEA strategy into market impact across multiple markets. You will lead commercial and operational performance, shape the regional retail organisation, and build capability through your Area Managers. This is a senior, hands-on role requiring executive presence, cross-functional influence, and a proven track record of delivering profitable growth in multi-market retail environments. This role requires strategic leadership across diverse markets with strong seasonal demand, longer travel distances between locations, and a need for local commercial adaptation while maintaining global brand standards with the ability to travel 70-80% on average.
Territory Scope & Context:
- Location: Within the assigned North region, ideally based near a store or office
- Reporting to: Retail Director, EMEA
- Direct reports: Area Managers across North territory
- Cluster North: UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Strategic & Commercial Accountabilities
- Cluster strategy and growth: Define and deliver the cluster retail strategy aligned to EMEA priorities; prioritise investments, local initiatives and resource allocation to grow market share, margin and customer loyalty.
- P&L and commercial ownership: In partnership with Finance and Commercial teams, own the commercial levers that drive top-line and margin performance (pricing, assortment, promotions, productivity). Set stretch targets and hold the region accountable for delivery.
- Market adaptation: Translate global campaigns and assortments into locally relevant plans that capitalise on seasonal peaks and regional consumer behaviour. Use sales, traffic, inventory and CRM analytics to identify opportunities and risks; implement targeted interventions to improve conversion, ATV and stock turn.
- Operational Leadership & Execution
- Operational excellence: Ensure consistent execution of the New Balance operational standards across owned & operated stores. Embed rigorous audit, compliance and loss-prevention disciplines.
- Estate & Openings: Partner expansion team with site selection input, opening plans and post-opening ramp strategies; ensure new stores meet commercial milestones and deliver expected ROI.
- Risk and cost control: Manage regional operating costs, shrinkage targets and stock control processes; ensure robust processes across omnichannel fulfilment points.
- Brand and customer experience: Safeguard visual merchandising, service standards and local activations to deliver a consistent, locally relevant New Balance experience.
- Leadership, People & Stakeholder Management
- Direct reports and team structure: Line manage Area Managers who in turn manage Store Managers across the cluster. Set clear objectives, run structured performance and talent reviews, and ensure consistent coaching and capability development across the region.
- Talent and succession: Build bench strength through targeted development plans, training programmes and succession planning in partnership with HR.
- Cross-functional influence: Act as the primary interface between field operations and EMEA functions (Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR, Finance). Influence assortment, allocation and trade marketing decisions to reflect local market needs.
- External relationships: Own relationships with landlords, shopping centre operators and key retail partners.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
- Experience, Skills & Attributes
- Minimum 5+ years area/territory management with progressive responsibility; proven success in multi-market retail leadership, ideally in sportswear, footwear or lifestyle retail.
- Executive presence, strong commercial judgement, decisive under pressure, and a track record of building capability in dispersed/remote teams.
- Advanced analytical capability; P&L and budget ownership; expertise in audit, shrinkage control and retail operations.
- Entrepreneurial, change-oriented, autonomous and comfortable operating with remote leadership.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present, influence and engage teams.
KPIs & Success Measures:
- Commercial: Regional same-store sales vs target; gross margin and EBITDA contribution.
- Operational: Audit pass rate; shrinkage percentage vs threshold; time to close corrective actions; successful delivery and adoption of cross-functional projects.
- People: Engagement & Retention for all levels in territory; leadership bench strength; training completion and engagement scores.
Additional Requirements:
- Fluent in English and one or more local language.
- High travel readiness across the cluster and flexibility for peak periods, approximately 70-80% time on average.
- Flexible availability, including weekends and peak trading periods.
- Valid EU driving license (mandatory).
-Equal Opportunity Employer: New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
Head of Retail, North Territory EMEA in London employer: New Balance
At New Balance, we pride ourselves on being more than just a sportswear brand; we are a family that values passion and teamwork. As a Stockroom Coordinator at our Gunwharf Quays location, you will enjoy competitive compensation, a generous staff discount, and exceptional development opportunities within an inclusive work environment. Join us to be part of a growing brand where your contributions truly matter and where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail, North Territory 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 New Balance, 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 New Balance!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail, North Territory EMEA 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 New Balance, 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 New Balance 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 New Balance that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Balance
✨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!
