Commercial Director

Commercial Director

Full-Time 90000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy and drive growth for a renowned British accessories brand.
  • Company: Radley International Ltd, part of the iconic Lloyd Baker Group.
  • Benefits: Negotiable salary, performance bonuses, hybrid working, and travel opportunities.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work autonomously in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of a beloved brand and make a real impact in the fashion industry.
  • Qualifications: Proven commercial leader with experience in fashion or premium consumer categories.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.

Radley International Ltd. A division of Lloyd Baker Group London

Salary Package

Negotiable basic salary plus performance-linked bonus.

A defining opportunity with an iconic British brand

Radley is entering an exciting new chapter under new ownership.

With a renewed brand vision, refreshed and ambitious plans for growth, we are building on a highly recognised British heritage brand and re-establishing Radley London as a distinctive, relevant and desirable global accessories business.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an entrepreneurial commercial leader to play a defining role in the next stage of a brilliant brand.

The successful candidate will have the chance to shape the commercial strategy, rebuild and re-engage important customer relationships, open new channels and markets, and create significant profitable growth.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Global Commercial Director will take responsibility for the entire commercial business.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution and requires someone who is equally comfortable setting direction, building senior retail relationships, negotiating major deals and working closely with the wider team to deliver results.

The remit includes UK wholesale, international wholesale, concessions, marketplaces, distribution, franchise partnerships and, where appropriate, DTC and e-commerce commercial opportunities.

The primary market is the UK, followed by the USA, then Europe, the Middle East and APAC.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and deliver the overall commercial strategy for Radley , with clear accountability for revenue growth, margin and profitability.
  • Re-engage and rebuild relationships with former Radley customers and accounts, recognising the significant historic distribution and brand awareness of the business.
  • Identify, develop and win new commercial opportunities across wholesale, department stores, concessions, marketplaces, distributors and franchise partners.
  • Lead UK commercial growth as the first priority, while accelerating opportunities in the USA and developing Europe, the Middle East and APAC.
  • Develop strategic relationships with key retailers, buyers and decision-makers, using existing contacts where relevant while also creating new relationships and opportunities.
  • Negotiate commercial agreements covering pricing, margin, distribution, exclusivity, marketing investment and long-term partnership terms.
  • Drive disciplined forecasting, budgeting, account planning and commercial performance management.
  • Work closely with Product, Merchandising, Brand, Marketing, Finance and Operations to ensure the commercial strategy is aligned with product, brand positioning and operational capability.
  • Assess and develop DTC and e-commerce commercial opportunities where these support the wider brand and growth strategy.
  • Represent Radley credibly and effectively with senior retail executives, partners and stakeholders in the UK and internationally.
  • Operate with a strong entrepreneurial mindset, taking ownership, making decisions and working autonomously while collaborating effectively with the CEO and wider leadership team.
  • The Candidate

We are looking for a proven commercial leader with experience in fashion, handbags, accessories, footwear, jewellery or a closely related premium consumer category.

Sector knowledge matters, but the ability to create business, build relationships and deliver profitable growth is more important than a narrowly defined category background.

  • Commercial track record
  • A strong record of growing wholesale and multi-channel commercial businesses.
  • Demonstrable experience of winning major accounts, reactivating customer relationships and developing new markets or channels.
  • Strong financial and commercial acumen, including P&L responsibility, pricing, margin management, forecasting and negotiation.
  • Experience operating across UK and international markets.
  • Leadership style
  • Entrepreneurial, energetic and highly results-driven.
  • Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership in a fast-moving environment.
  • A hands-on operator who can move easily between strategy and execution.
  • Collaborative and able to build strong internal relationships across functions.
  • Credible, persuasive and commercially sophisticated with senior external stakeholders.
  • Retail network
  • Existing relationships with major retailers, department stores and senior buyers are advantageous, particularly in the UK and USA, but are not essential.
  • What is essential is the ability to build senior relationships quickly and convert them into meaningful, profitable business.

Package & Location

  • Performance-related bonus with meaningful upside linked to commercial delivery and agreed KPIs.
  • London based, hybrid working, typically 3–4 days per week in the office.
  • Some UK and international travel as required.
  • Radley London Brands — Global Commercial Director
  • Radley London Brands — Global Commercial Director
  • Why Radley London

Radley London is a well-known British accessories brand with significant consumer recognition, a strong heritage and a substantial historic customer base.

This role offers the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the business rather than simply inherit a mature commercial structure.

For the right person, this is a rare chance to combine the strength and recognition of an established brand with the pace, autonomy and opportunity of an entrepreneurial growth business.

The successful candidate will have genuine influence over how Radley London rebuilds its commercial platform, reconnects with customers and grows in the UK and internationally.

Commercial Director employer: Radley

Radley is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and inclusivity in the heart of London. With a commitment to employee growth through professional development opportunities and a generous benefits package, including enhanced annual leave and wellness initiatives, Radley fosters an environment where team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of a brand that not only values craftsmanship and quality but also celebrates diversity and innovation in the luxury fashion industry.

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Contact Details:

Radley Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Director

✨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 Radley, 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 Radley!

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director

Commercial Strategy Development
Relationship Building
Negotiation Skills
Revenue Growth Management
Market Development
Financial Acumen
P&L Responsibility

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

How to prepare for a job interview at Radley

✨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!