Head of Retail UK and Ireland

Head of Retail UK and Ireland

Full-Time 60000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead retail strategy across the UK and Ireland, ensuring exceptional customer experiences.
  • Company: Join HUGO BOSS, a premium brand committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and attractive benefits package.
  • Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation and excellence in customer service.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic retail environment with growth opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Proven senior retail leadership experience, strong financial acumen, and team development skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.

The Head of Retail UK and Ireland reports to the Retail Director and is responsible for executing the retail strategy across all formats, including Directly Operated Stores, Outlets, Airports, and Concessions. The role focuses on delivering strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with the company's objectives, and supporting exceptional customer experiences while driving financial and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership
    • Drive and implement a comprehensive Retail Strategy, including expansion plans targeting key market locations and ensuring profitable returns.
    • Drive the consistent delivery of the brand message across the UK and Ireland marketplace for all HUGO BOSS brands and genders.
    • Collaborate with the Retail Director, Managing Director and Leadership Team to identify and execute initiatives that enhance operational excellence and cost efficiency.
    • Contribute to the preparation of budgets, forecasts and reports, supporting the Retail Director in delivering presentations to the global leadership team.
  • Sales & Financial Performance
    • Accountable for achieving sales, gross margin and EBIT targets across all stores in the UK and Ireland.
    • Drive sales and margin growth, as well as cost control initiatives, in collaboration with Area Managers.
    • Monitor and manage controllable expenses, including wages, travel, advertising and promotions.
    • Oversee stock control, inventory management and adherence to financial targets.
  • Operational Excellence
    • Devise and implement annual retail business plans in line with the Northern Hub strategy.
    • Develop and implement effective retail operations tools, including communication frameworks, policies and procedures.
    • Monitor and report on retail operational issues, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with global standards.
    • Lead the development and implementation of programmes to achieve retail excellence and world‑class KPIs.
  • Customer Experience
    • Foster a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring stores deliver expertise, efficiency and alignment with brand values.
    • Collaborate with the Retail Operations team to develop and grow a world‑class CRM programme, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.
    • Ensure the delivery of a seamless and premium customer experience across all touchpoints, including a customer returns programme that exceeds expectations.
  • Team Leadership & Development
    • Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team of Area Managers.
    • Establish performance goals for direct reports and monitor progress on a continuous basis.
    • Partner with HR to design and implement employee development and training programmes, including leadership, management and customer service initiatives.
    • Conduct appraisals, provide coaching and support leadership development for direct reports.
    • Ensure an effective induction framework is in place for all new team members.
    • Collaborate with HR to oversee recruitment for senior vacancies within the team and ensure adherence to all HR policies.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience in a senior retail leadership role, preferably within the premium or luxury sector.
  • Demonstrated success in managing multi‑site retail operations, including DOS, outlets and concessions.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting and P&L management.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive business growth.
  • Experience in leading and developing high‑performing teams.
  • Results‑driven with a proven track record of delivering sales and profitability growth in a retail environment.
  • Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
  • Strategic thinker with excellent planning and organisational abilities.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships at all levels.
  • Commercially astute with a deep understanding of retail operations and customer experience.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and attractive benefits.

HUGO BOSS is committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Head of Retail UK and Ireland employer: The Benefits

HUGO BOSS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters strategic leadership and operational excellence in the retail sector. With a commitment to employee development and a culture that prioritises exceptional customer experiences, team members are empowered to drive sales and profitability while enjoying competitive salaries and attractive benefits. Located across the UK and Ireland, this role provides unique opportunities for growth within a globally recognised brand that values diversity and inclusion.

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Contact Details:

The Benefits Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Retail UK and Ireland

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who have experience with premium brands. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s retail strategy and recent initiatives. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can drive sales and operational excellence.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed high-performing teams in the past. We want to hear about your successes in driving customer experience and financial performance.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our retail success.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail UK and Ireland

Strategic Leadership
Retail Strategy Implementation
Sales and Financial Performance Management
Budgeting and Forecasting
Operational Excellence
Customer Experience Enhancement
Team Leadership and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Retail role. Highlight your experience in retail leadership, especially in the premium or luxury sector, and how it aligns with our strategic goals at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive sales and operational excellence. Use numbers where possible to show the impact you've made in previous roles.

Emphasise Team Leadership Skills:We want to see how you’ve led and developed high-performing teams. Share examples of how you’ve coached team members and fostered a culture of exceptional customer service, as this is key to our values.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Benefits

Know Your Retail Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into the retail strategy of the company. Understand their expansion plans and how they align with market trends in the UK and Ireland. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to executing this strategy effectively.

Showcase Financial Acumen

Prepare to talk about your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management. Bring specific examples of how you've driven sales and margin growth in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to meet financial targets.

Emphasise Customer Experience

Think about how you've fostered exceptional customer service in past positions. Be ready to share strategies you've implemented to enhance customer engagement and loyalty, as this role heavily focuses on delivering a premium customer experience.

Highlight Leadership Skills

As a potential leader, it's crucial to showcase your team development skills. Prepare examples of how you've coached and developed high-performing teams, and discuss your approach to setting performance goals and conducting appraisals.