At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail strategy, drive revenue growth, and enhance supporter experience.
- Company: Join the historic St. Helens R.F.C., a leader in British rugby league.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and matchday perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with passionate fans.
- Qualifications: Proven retail leadership experience and strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Evening and weekend work on matchdays; travel for supplier meetings may be needed.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
This range is provided by St.Helens R.F.C. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Salary: £35-40k per annum (dependent on experience)
Location: The Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Full-time, Permanent
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:
- 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.
Head of Retail in 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and sports industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching St Helens R.F.C. and their retail strategy. Show us you’re passionate about the club and its community. Bring ideas to the table on how you can enhance their merchandise experience and drive revenue growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the retail operation and how you plan to lead the team. We want to hear about your past successes and how they relate to the role of Head of Retail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the St Helens R.F.C. family. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail in St Helens
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Retail role. Highlight your experience in multi-channel retail and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs at St Helens R.F.C.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about retail and how you can enhance the supporter experience. Share specific examples of your achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your commercial mindset and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves managing budgets and P&L, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have with data analysis and decision-making. We love candidates who can use insights to drive performance and improve customer experience.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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 offerings and think about how you can enhance their operations. Be ready to discuss specific ideas on driving revenue and improving supporter experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Retail, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or project. Highlight your ability to manage budgets and P&L responsibilities, as well as how you've motivated teams to achieve commercial goals.
✨Understand Multi-Channel Retail
Since the role involves e-commerce and stadium retail, brush up on your knowledge of multi-channel retail strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you would integrate online and offline sales channels to maximise customer engagement and sales.
✨Engage with the Club's Heritage
St. Helens R.F.C. has a rich history and passionate fanbase. Show your enthusiasm for the club by researching its heritage and community presence. Discuss how you can leverage this passion in your retail strategy to enhance brand visibility and supporter loyalty.