Commercial Director

Debenhams-Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Debenhams Group is transforming into a digital department store; we seek a Commercial Director to lead commercial performance across Marketplace, Fashion Brands, Beauty, Premium Brands, Brand Room and Outlet, based at our Manchester HQ.

The role blends strategic thinking with hands-on trading, building partnerships and driving growth across GMV, revenue, and profitability, with senior stakeholder exposure and leadership of the Trading team.

Qualifications

• Track record of delivering significant growth in a digital consumer business.
• Experience in digital trading, marketplace economics and customer behaviour.
• Strong financial and analytical capability.
• Experience negotiating brand, supplier and strategic partnerships.
• Ability to combine long-term strategy with hands-on trading.
• Leadership of high-performing commercial teams.
• Ability to operate with MD, C-suite and Board-level stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset in fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the commercial strategy with the MD.
• Own trading performance: GMV, revenue, margin, conversion, AOV.
• Lead end-to-end commercial calendar and promotions.
• Identify and deliver new revenue streams and partnerships.
• Use insights to inform faster commercial decisions.
• Collaborate with Marketplace, Buying, Merchandising and Beauty on assortment and pricing.
• Attract, develop and grow brands and partners.
• Build strong relationships with brands, retailers and partners.
• Negotiate terms that create value for Debenhams and partners.
• Work with Marketing, Digital, Product, Tech on acquisition and retention.
• Partner with Finance on budgets, forecasts and profitability.
• Lead and develop the Trading team.
• Provide commercial insight to MD and senior leadership.
• Stay ahead of retail/digital trends and translate into opportunities.

Skills

Senior leadership

E-commerce expertise

Marketplace economics

Brand partnerships

Financial acumen

Trading leadership

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Job description

THE ROLE

At Debenhams Group, we’re transforming one of Britain’s most iconic retail names into a leading digital department store, with ambitions that extend far beyond the UK. Our vision is to become the number one destination for fashion, beauty and home, bringing together our own brands and an ever-growing marketplace of incredible brand partners.

And we’re just getting started.

We’re looking for an exceptional Commercial Director to work alongside the Managing Director and lead Debenhams' commercial performance and growth. This is a high-impact leadership role with ownership across our key divisions, including Marketplace, Fashion Brands, Beauty, Premium Brands, Brand Room and Outlet.

Combining strategic thinking with relentless commercial execution, you’ll bring together trading, customer insight, data and market intelligence to drive GMV, revenue and profitability – while identifying the opportunities that will shape our next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will bring experience from a fast-paced, multi-channel, multi-brand retail or e-commerce environment, with a strong background in trading, merchandising or commercial leadership and a proven track record of driving growth and performance.

This is a highly visible leadership role, based at our Debenhams Group HQ on Dale Street, Manchester, 5 days a week.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Partner with the Managing Director to shape and deliver the commercial strategy for Debenhams.
• Own overall trading performance, driving GMV, revenue, margin, conversion, AOV and customer value.
• Lead the end-to-end commercial and promotional calendar, ensuring we maximise every key trading opportunity.
• Identify and deliver new revenue streams, partnerships and commercial opportunities.
• Use customer, competitor and trading insight to identify opportunities and make faster, better commercial decisions.
• Work across Marketplace, Buying, Merchandising and Beauty to optimise assortment, pricing, promotions, availability and category mix.
• Partner with the Marketplace Director to attract, develop and grow high-quality brands and strategic partners.
• Build influential senior relationships with key brands, retailers and commercial partners.
• Negotiate commercial terms and partnerships that create sustainable value for Debenhams and our partners.
• Work closely with Marketing, Digital, Product and Technology to drive customer acquisition, engagement, frequency and retention.
• Partner with Finance on budgets, forecasts, investment decisions and profitability.
• Lead and develop the Trading team, creating clear accountability, pace and high performance.
• Provide clear commercial insight and recommendations to the MD and senior leadership team.
• Stay ahead of developments across retail, marketplaces, digital, personalisation and AI, translating them into commercial opportunities.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

You’ll be an established commercial leader with a track record of delivering significant growth in a digital consumer business.

• Senior commercial leadership experience across e-commerce, marketplaces, retail, fashion, beauty or a comparable digital business.
• A proven track record of growing revenue, GMV, margin and profitability.
• Strong understanding of digital trading, marketplace economics and customer behaviour.
• Excellent financial and analytical capability with strong commercial judgement.
• Experience building and negotiating significant brand, supplier and strategic partnerships.
• The ability to combine long-term commercial strategy with hands-on trading execution.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing commercial teams.
• Confidence operating with MD, C-suite and Board-level stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment.

YOU’LL BE

• Commercially hungry – always looking for the next opportunity to drive growth.
• Customer obsessed – putting customer value at the heart of commercial decisions.
• Data driven – using insight and analysis alongside strong commercial instinct.
• Strategic but hands-on – equally comfortable setting the direction and getting into the detail.
• Entrepreneurial – challenging convention, moving quickly and creating solutions.
• Decisive and accountable – taking ownership and making things happen.
• An inspirational leader – building brilliant teams and bringing people with you.

WHY DEBENHAMS

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in the next chapter of Debenhams. We’re building a faster, more agile, technology-led and marketplace-driven business with huge ambition for the future.

For the right Commercial Director, that means the opportunity to have real influence, real ownership and a measurable impact on our growth.

BE BRAVE. BE CREATIVE. BE A COMMUNITY.

Fashion. Beauty. Lifestyle. For Everyone.

#LI-ER #Debenhams #Trading #Commercial