At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK & Europe division, driving growth and operational excellence.
- Company: Freedom of Movement, a premium leather lifestyle brand with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of a global brand and work with a passionate team.
- Other info: Dynamic role with the freedom to innovate and influence strategic decisions.
- Why this job: Join a founder-led brand and make a significant impact in international expansion.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior leadership, P&L accountability, and experience in premium retail.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
Managing Director – UK & Europe
Location
United Kingdom (hybrid, with travel across the UK and Europe)
Reports to
Chief Executive Officer
Company
- Freedom of Movement (FOM)
- Lead the Next Chapter of a Premium Global Brand
Freedom of Movement is a premium leather lifestyle brand born in South Africa, built on exceptional craftsmanship, authentic storytelling and a belief that movement inspires growth.
As we expand internationally, we're looking for an entrepreneurial
Managing Director – UK & Europe to lead our regional business and drive the next phase of our European growth.
This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of an established UK operation while shaping the future of our brand across Europe.
You'll combine strategic leadership with commercial execution, balancing operational excellence with ambitious expansion into new markets and channels.
About The Role
As Managing Director, you will have full accountability for the UK & Europe division, including profit and loss performance, retail operations, commercial growth and market expansion.
You will represent the Freedom of Movement brand throughout the region, ensuring every decision reflects our premium positioning, heritage and values.
Working closely with our CEO and South African Head Office, you will build and execute the regional growth strategy while establishing Freedom of Movement as a leading premium lifestyle brand across Europe.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Leadership
- Own the UK & Europe division's full P&L, budgets, forecasts and financial performance.
- Deliver revenue, profitability and cash flow targets.
- Drive pricing, margin and stock performance while maintaining premium brand positioning.
- European Expansion
- Develop and execute the UK & Europe growth strategy.
- Identify and launch new retail stores, wholesale partnerships, pop-ups and e-commerce opportunities.
- Evaluate new markets and present investment cases to the CEO and Board.
- Lead negotiations with landlords, distributors and strategic partners.
- Retail & Operations
- Lead the performance of the existing UK retail operation.
- Ensure exceptional customer experience, merchandising and operational standards.
- Oversee supply chain planning with the South African Head Office to ensure stock availability and efficient inventory management.
- Brand Leadership
- Act as the ambassador for Freedom of Movement across the UK and Europe.
- Protect and strengthen our premium leather heritage and South African story.
- Work closely with marketing teams to deliver impactful local campaigns and partnerships.
- Represent the business with customers, media, landlords and industry partners.
- Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance across all trading territories, including VAT, customs, employment law, consumer legislation and data protection.
- Manage relationships with legal, tax and professional advisors.
- Maintain effective risk management and corporate governance.
- Leadership
- Build, coach and inspire a high-performing regional team.
- Develop future capability as the business expands.
- Foster a culture that reflects Freedom of Movement's values and purpose.
About You
We're looking for an accomplished commercial leader with the experience and ambition to scale a premium consumer brand internationally.
You’ll ideally bring
- At least 10 years' senior leadership experience within premium retail, lifestyle or consumer brands.
- A minimum of three years' full P&L accountability.
- Proven success growing a business within the UK and/or European markets.
- Experience in retail expansion, wholesale, e-commerce or multi-channel growth.
- Strong commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working across multiple European markets is highly desirable.
- Excellent strategic thinking combined with hands‑on execution.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including Board-level reporting.
- A degree in Business, Commerce, Retail Management or a related discipline. An MBA or postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
- What You'll Bring
You are
- A commercially astute leader with strong financial discipline.
- Entrepreneurial, resilient and comfortable building new markets.
- An exceptional relationship builder and negotiator.
- Passionate about premium brands and customer experience.
- Confident making decisions in fast-moving environments.
- Authentic, collaborative and values-driven.
Why Join Freedom of Movement?
This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to build something significant.
You’ll join a founder-led international brand with ambitious growth plans and the freedom to shape our European future.
You'll work alongside a passionate leadership team, influence strategic decisions and help introduce Freedom of Movement to new customers across Europe.
If you’re excited by the opportunity to combine commercial leadership, international expansion and premium brand building, we’d love to hear from you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Managing Director - Retail employer: VEA Telecoms
VEA Telecoms is an excellent employer for Fibre Splicers, offering a competitive salary and a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and professional development. With a focus on Health & Safety and a commitment to expanding fibre networks across the UK, our team enjoys a dynamic environment where their skills are valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director - Retail
✨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 VEA Telecoms, 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 VEA Telecoms!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director - Retail
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 VEA Telecoms, 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 VEA Telecoms 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 VEA Telecoms that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at VEA Telecoms
✨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!
