Area Manager

Universal Store; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus structure

Staff discounts across our brands

Ongoing training and leadership paths

Wellbeing initiatives and team events

Job summary

Universal Store is seeking a creative, inspiring and dedicated Area Manager to lead our Melbourne-based region. You will inspire Store Managers and teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving strong commercial results, balancing strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.

You will thrive as a natural leader, connecting people, process and presentation to create engaging stores and teams that reflect our brand and values.

Qualifications

• 1+ years' experience in an Area Manager or multi-site leadership role.
• Proven ability to drive sales and lead high‑performing teams.
• Strong understanding of retail financials, KPIs and cost management.
• Highly organised with the ability to plan, prioritise and adapt.
• A passion for fashion retail and delivering outstanding customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales performance and deliver regional targets through strong leadership and strategy.
• Lead, coach and develop Store Managers and teams to build capability and future leaders.
• Create a consistent and exceptional customer experience across all stores.
• Recruit, train and retain high‑performing talent in line with company values.
• Manage budgets and productivity to optimise profitability.
• Analyse performance, trends and opportunities to support business growth.
• Maintain strong communication across all levels, providing clear direction and feedback.
• Oversee scheduling aligned to trade periods, promotions and operational needs.
• Embed a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture.

Skills

Sales leadership

Retail operations

Staff development

Budgeting

Customer experience

Job description

From our humble beginnings as a suburban unisex clothing store in 1999, we’ve grown to more than 100 stores nationally and now deliver the latest in apparel to customers around the world through our thriving online store. Our team carefully curates a mix of local and international labels, working collaboratively to develop exclusive styles and collections that give our customers head‑to‑toe outfitting options for every occasion.

Today, we’re proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s leading youth‑fashion retailers. We’ve built and grown brands such as Neovision, Common Need, Luck & Trouble, and Worship, and we continue to partner with global favourites including Lee, Wrangler, AS Colour, Calvin Klein, Stussy and Abrand. As our business has expanded, we’ve welcomed the Perfect Stranger and Thrills Co brands into our portfolio, allowing us to offer an even broader range of fits, styles and pieces that reflect the diversity of our customer base.

The Role

We are looking for a creative, inspiring and dedicated Area Manager to lead our teams across a Melbourne-based region.

This role is all about leading from the front, inspiring Store Managers and their teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving strong commercial results. You will bring teams together, connecting people, process and presentation to create stores that excite and engage our customers.

As a natural leader and organiser, you thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing strategy with hands‑on execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales performance and deliver regional targets through strong leadership and strategy
• Lead, coach and develop Store Managers and teams to build capability and future leaders
• Create a consistent and exceptional customer experience across all stores
• Recruit, train and retain high‑performing talent in line with company values
• Manage budgets and productivity to optimise profitability
• Analyse performance, trends and opportunities to support business growth
• Maintain strong communication across all levels, providing clear direction and feedback
• Oversee scheduling aligned to trade periods, promotions and operational needs
• Embed a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 1+ years' experience in an Area Manager or multi-site leadership role
• Proven ability to drive sales and lead high‑performing teams
• Strong understanding of retail financials, KPIs and cost management
• Highly organised with the ability to plan, prioritise and adapt
• A passion for fashion retail and delivering outstanding customer experiences

What We Offer

• Career growth opportunities within a growing and evolving business
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative culture
• Generous and achievable bonus structure
• Staff discounts across our brands
• Ongoing training, development and leadership pathways
• Wellbeing initiatives and team engagement activities
• A workplace where your ideas and contributions truly matter

Our Values

• Care for Everyone
• Here to Help
• Make it Work
• Better than Good
• Contribute