Head of Retail in Slough

V&C Associates have been retained on an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Head of Retail to join one of the world's biggest music companies and a leader in music-based entertainment, a multinational music corporation that operates record labels, a music publishing arm, merchandising, and audiovisual content businesses in over 60 countries. They are looking to drive their immersive in-store presence across the UK/EMEA.

This is a high-profile position for a commercially astute, brand-led retail leader who can build and scale a premium, music-led retail experience across multiple locations. The Head of Retail will own the end-to-end retail strategy and execution for retail stores, responsible for driving commercial performance while safeguarding a distinctive, boutique brand experience rooted in music, culture, and storytelling. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational excellence, ensuring that every store reflects the creative and cultural DNA of the brand and operates to world-class standards.

• Define, refine, and execute a clear retail strategy that aligns with overall brand positioning, commercial goals, and long-term growth ambitions.
• Set and manage sales, margin, and profitability targets, ensuring consistent delivery of KPIs across all retail locations.
• Own annual budgeting, forecasting, and performance review cycles, providing regular insight, analysis, and action plans to senior leadership.
• Lead day-to-day retail operations, ensuring consistent standards of service, presentation, and efficiency across all stores.
• Design, implement, and continually improve best-in-class retail processes, SOPs, and operational playbooks to support scalable growth.
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations, legal requirements, and internal company policies, embedding a culture of operational discipline.
• Champion a premium, boutique customer journey that brings a music-led culture to life in-store, from first interaction through to post-purchase.
• Oversee visual merchandising and in-store presentation, ensuring execution is aligned to brand guidelines, seasonal concepts, and campaign narratives.
• Partner closely with marketing and creative teams to deliver immersive in-store activations, product launches, and events that deepen customer engagement and drive traffic.
• Build, lead, and inspire high-performing retail teams, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop store managers and wider retail teams, implementing training frameworks that elevate product knowledge, service standards, and leadership capability.
• Create a strong service culture focused on continuous improvement, coaching, and recognition, ensuring teams are motivated and empowered to perform.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for new permanent stores, pop-ups, and international locations, using data and insight to inform decisions.
• Lead the planning and execution of store openings, refits, and format evolutions, ensuring operational readiness and smooth deployment.

• Proven success in a senior retail leadership role (Head of Retail, Retail Director, or equivalent) within a boutique, premium, lifestyle, or experiential brand environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with a demonstrable track record of driving sales growth, profitability, and KPI improvement across multiple sites.
• Deep expertise in store operations, visual merchandising, and delivering elevated customer experiences.
• Inspirational people leader with experience building, scaling, and developing high-performing retail teams through periods of growth and change.
• Experience in omnichannel or digitally integrated retail environments, with an understanding of how physical and digital channels work together.
• Genuine passion for music, culture, and brand storytelling, with the ability to translate that passion into compelling in-store experiences.
• Strategic, future-focused thinker who is equally comfortable being hands-on in store environments.
• Entrepreneurial, agile mindset with strong problem-solving skills and a high level of ownership.
• Excellent communicator and influencer, able to engage credibly with senior stakeholders, creative partners, and frontline teams.
• Creative and brand-driven, with meticulous attention to detail and a relentless focus on the customer.