At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international retail development projects and ensure flawless execution.
- Company: Join SKIMS, a pioneering brand redefining modern apparel with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, life assurance, and wellness perks like ClassPass.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping global retail experiences.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in retail development and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials. We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody. At the intersection of culture, innovation, and commerce, SKIMS is a global brand redefining modern apparel. Our teams are built on creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment where ambitious, curious, and values-driven individuals can do the best work of their careers. As we continue to scale globally, our HQ teams play a critical role in shaping strategy, building world-class infrastructure, and driving sustainable growth across markets.
Position Summary
The Director of International Store Development will lead the end-to-end execution of SKIMS' international retail development strategy across owned retail, wholesale shop-in-shops, franchise locations, pop-ups, and brand activations. This is a highly cross-functional leadership role focused on delivering world-class retail environments that faithfully execute the SKIMS brand vision while ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest operational standards. This is not an architectural or creative design role. Instead, the Director serves as the commercial and operational owner of a high number of store development projects, translating creative concepts into executable plans, managing multiple stakeholders, mitigating risk, and driving flawless delivery across international markets. The ideal candidate is an exceptional project leader with deep retail development experience, outstanding organizational skills, strong commercial awareness, and the executive presence to confidently influence senior leadership in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Global Store Development
- Lead the execution of international store development projects from site approval through grand opening.
- Oversee the development of owned retail stores, wholesale environments, franchise locations, pop-up experiences, and temporary brand activations.
- Translate the approved creative vision into operationally successful retail environments while preserving brand integrity.
- Develop and manage comprehensive project schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and critical milestones.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with company objectives.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with Real Estate, Retail Operations, Design, Visual Merchandising, Construction, Finance, Procurement, Legal, IT, Security, and regional leadership teams.
- Coordinate internal and external partners including landlords, consultants, contractors, vendors, franchise partners, and wholesale accounts.
- Drive accountability across cross-functional teams, proactively identifying roadblocks and implementing solutions.
- Build strong working relationships across global markets while adapting execution to local requirements.
- Operational Excellence
- Champion operational functionality throughout every development project, ensuring stores support exceptional customer experiences and efficient team operations.
- Evaluate store layouts and facility flow to maximize productivity, customer journey, back-of-house efficiency, and long-term operational scalability.
- Establish and continuously improve development processes, project governance, and execution standards.
- Identify opportunities to improve speed, cost efficiency, and consistency across international projects by leveraging technology, systems, and software solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and scalability.
- Commercial & Strategic Planning
- Apply strong commercial judgment when evaluating development decisions, balancing customer experience, operational efficiency, budget, and long-term business objectives.
- Support feasibility assessments and project planning for new market expansion.
- Partner with Finance and Real Estate to develop accurate project budgets and capital forecasts.
- Monitor project performance and communicate risks, opportunities, and financial impacts to leadership.
- Leadership & Communication
- Present project updates, timelines, budgets, and key decisions to executive leadership with confidence and clarity.
- Create executive-level reporting that provides visibility into project status, risks, and critical milestones.
- Influence stakeholders across multiple functions while maintaining momentum in a fast-paced environment.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Construction Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in retail store development, project management, construction management, or retail operations.
- Experience supporting international retail expansion across owned stores, wholesale, franchise, pop-ups, and experiential activations.
- Working knowledge of commercial real estate development and retail construction processes.
- Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously across global markets.
- Strong understanding of retail operations, facility planning, and customer flow.
- Demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Exceptional project management, planning, and organizational skills.
- Experience presenting to senior executives and influencing cross-functional leadership.
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to balance commercial priorities and operational execution.
- Willingness to travel internationally as business needs require.
Preferred Experience
- Experience supporting high-growth consumer brands.
- Exposure to international retail expansion across EMEA, APAC, and North America.
- Experience working with franchise partners and wholesale retailers.
- Familiarity with global permitting, landlord coordination, and international project execution.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials are a plus.
What We're Looking For
- An exceptional project manager who thrives in complexity and fast-paced environments.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused.
- Commercially minded, balancing operational excellence with business objectives.
- Confident, polished, and comfortable presenting to executive leadership.
- Calm under pressure and capable of managing competing priorities with urgency.
- A collaborative leader who knows how to influence without direct authority.
- Solutions-oriented, proactive, and adaptable in a rapidly scaling global organization.
- Passionate about creating exceptional retail experiences through disciplined execution rather than creative design.
Benefits, Culture and Perks
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
- Group Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Critical Illness
- Pension Scheme
- Modern Health
- ClassPass
Director of International Store Development in London employer: SKIMS
At SKIMS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values creativity, inclusivity, and personal growth. As a Team Member, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises your wellbeing with generous employee discounts, paid sick time, and mental health resources. Join our passionate team in a fast-paced environment where you can make a meaningful impact while developing your skills and contributing to our mission of delivering outstanding customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of International Store Development 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 SKIMS, 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 SKIMS!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of International Store Development 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 SKIMS, 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 SKIMS 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 SKIMS that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at SKIMS
✨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!
