At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail strategy, drive revenue growth, and enhance supporter experience at St Helens R.F.C.
- Company: Join one of the most successful clubs in British rugby league with a passionate community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and matchday perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail operations and engage with dedicated fans.
- Qualifications: Proven senior retail leadership experience and strong multi-channel retail knowledge.
- Other info: Dynamic role with occasional evening and weekend work, plus travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Salary £35-40k per annum (dependent on experience)
The Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Performance-related bonus available
- Additional club benefits and matchday perks
About St Helens R.F.C.
St Helens R.F.C. is one of the most successful and historic clubs in British rugby league, with a proud heritage, a passionate supporter base, and a strong community presence. The club operates in a modern, commercially driven environment, with retail and merchandise playing a key role in revenue generation, brand visibility, and supporter engagement. With continued ambition both on and off the field, St Helens R.F.C. is investing in its commercial operations to ensure sustainable growth and an exceptional experience for fans, partners, and players alike.
Role Purpose
The Head of Retail & Merchandise will lead the end-to-end retail and merchandise strategy for St Helens R.F.C., ensuring a high-performing, commercially focused retail operation that strengthens the club’s brand, drives revenue growth, and delivers an outstanding supporter experience. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for all retail channels, including stadium retail, matchday operations, e-commerce, and product development. The role also plays a critical part in supporting the professional teams through the provision of performance-critical apparel and equipment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and deliver the club’s retail and merchandise strategy across stadium, matchday and e-commerce channels.
- Drive revenue, margin and profit growth, with full ownership of the retail P&L, budgets and forecasts.
- Oversee buying, merchandising, pricing and stock management to maximise sales and availability.
- Manage key relationships with kit manufacturers, suppliers, licensors and distribution partners.
- Develop and grow the club’s online store, using data and insight to improve performance and customer experience.
- Ensure all retail operations deliver a high-quality, on-brand supporter experience.
- Ensure the professional teams’ apparel, kit and equipment requirements are fully met, working closely with Performance, Coaching and Operations teams.
Person Specification
Essential Experience:
- Proven senior retail leadership experience (Head of Retail / Senior Retail Manager level desirable).
- Experience in multi-channel retail, including e-commerce.
- Strong understanding of buying, merchandising, stock management and supplier negotiation.
- Experience managing budgets and full retail P&L responsibility.
- Background in sports, leisure or branded consumer products desirable.
Skills & Attributes:
- Highly commercial, results-driven mindset.
- Strong leadership and people management capability.
- Confident communicator with excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical, organised and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about supporter experience and brand quality.
Additional Information:
- Some evening and weekend work will be required, particularly on matchdays.
- Occasional travel for supplier meetings and events.
Interested? If you feel that you possess the relevant skills and experience then please send your cv and cover letter by return.
Locations
Head of Retail in St Helens, St. Helens employer: St.Helens R.F.C.
Contact Detail:
St.Helens R.F.C. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail in St Helens, St. Helens
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and sports sectors. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to get your name out there. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the brand! When you land that interview, make sure to express your enthusiasm for St Helens R.F.C. and its community. Share ideas on how you can enhance the supporter experience and drive revenue growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about your past experiences in retail leadership and how they relate to the role. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing budgets and driving sales – it’s all about showcasing your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail in St Helens, St. Helens
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your senior retail leadership experience and any relevant achievements that align with the role of Head of Retail.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about retail and how you can enhance the supporter experience at St Helens R.F.C. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: Since this role is all about driving revenue and managing budgets, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully managed P&L in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing your successes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at St Helens R.F.C. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at St.Helens R.F.C.
✨Know Your Retail Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the retail and merchandise strategy of St Helens R.F.C. Familiarise yourself with their current operations, especially in e-commerce and matchday retail. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll be looking for strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team or project. Highlight how you drove results and improved performance, as this will resonate well with their expectations.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves managing budgets and P&L, come prepared with insights on how you've used data to drive sales and improve customer experience in previous roles. Discuss specific metrics or KPIs you’ve worked with to showcase your analytical skills.
✨Passion for Supporter Experience
St Helens R.F.C. values supporter engagement highly. Be ready to discuss your ideas on enhancing the supporter experience through retail. Share any innovative strategies you’ve implemented in the past that could translate well into their environment.