District Director

michaels; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Michaels is seeking a District Director to lead and develop a portfolio of retail stores in the Manchester area. You will drive sales, optimize profitability, and ensure outstanding store operations and customer experience.

The role requires strategic and hands-on leadership, ability to manage budgets, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams. You will coach Store Managers, foster talent, and lead initiatives to improve performance and safety across districts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent experience.
• Proven track record leading multiple retail locations.
• Strong analytical and business acumen to drive sales and efficiency.
• Excellent people leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Store Managers to achieve sales targets and operational excellence.
• Drive district growth by analyzing sales trends and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Ensure a positive team culture and customer experience across stores.
• Partner with operations, HR, LP, merchandising, and marketing to align priorities.
• Monitor performance using key metrics and address gaps as needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and standards; visit stores regularly.

Skills

Leadership

Retail management

Team development

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Store - HART-MANCHESTER, CT

The District Director is responsible for leading and developing a district of retail stores to achieve sales, profit, and operational goals while fostering a positive and engaging experience for both team members and customers. This role requires a results-driven leader who can build high-performing store teams, drive business growth, and ensure operational excellence across all locations.

Major Activities

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop Store Managers to deliver sales targets, customer satisfaction goals, and operational excellence.
• Drive business growth by analyzing sales trends, identifying opportunities, and implementing strategic initiatives across the district.
• Champion a positive team member experience by cultivating a culture of recognition, engagement, and accountability.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (operations, HR, LP, merchandising, marketing, etc.) to align on business priorities and execution.
• Monitor store performance through key metrics (sales, payroll, inventory, customer feedback, etc.) and take action to address gaps.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Lead by example through regular store visits, providing hands-on support and feedback to Store Managers and teams.
• Represent company values and act as a culture ambassador within the district.
• Communicate district performance, including progress and actions, to the Regional Vice President.
• Actively seek new methods to improve store productivity.
• Visit the competition often, taking note of new trends and opportunities to improve our business.
• Lead the shrink, safety and physical security programs in partnership with Loss Prevention to deliver goals and a safe and secure environment. Ensures stores are following key operational inventory awareness.
• Clearly communicate objectives and priorities to the team creating alignment with the Company's strategic goals, clearly defining and communicating the district's goals to achieve a singular vision across the team.
• Encourage two-way communications and promote shared learning, empowering team members to resolve issues by delegating tasks to the appropriate level.
• Create a sense of urgency and entrepreneurial leadership style among your team.
• Demonstrate agility in leadership style and flexibility of approach, with the ability to think strategically (high-level) and tactically (to drive execution).

Leading and Developing Talent

• Recruit, train, and retain top talent to build a pipeline of future leaders.
• Establish an innovative, collaborative, accountable, and inclusive culture that attracts and retains talent in the organization.
• Manage performance and be a strong developer of talent. Drive succession planning and talent development for areas of responsibility.
• Execute a strong onboarding program for all new and newly promoted managers.
• Manage performance to support the district's growth needs.
• Build a strong leadership bench for internal future growth through career pathing programs.
• Communicate clear goals and expectations.

Customer Experience

• Ensure consistent delivery of an exceptional customer experience that reflects the company's brand and values.
• Model and ensure store teams provide a great customer experience through operational and interpersonal processes and procedures.
• Execute company merchandising strategies to drive customer engagement.
• Lead and support community involvement.
• Develop a culture that empowers team members to maximize the quality and quantity of customer service they offer.

Other Responsibilities

• Execute other corporate initiative or duties as assigned, including but not limited to, special assignments i.e. (mentoring, merchandise committees, captainships, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Special Certifications or Technical Skills

• 6-8+ years of progressive responsibility leading multiple retail business units.

Preferred Type of Experience the Job Requires

• Fiscal management experience and budget oversight
• Proven track record of outstanding leadership in managing and motivating distributed teams
• Passion for the customer, stores, the product and the business model
• Success in overseeing operations team in a results driven retail environment.
• Demonstrate ability to achieve goals through influencing, partnering and developing productive relationships with senior leadership and line managers across the business
• Excellent people leader, team builder and collaborator who navigates well through diverse, rapidly changing work environments
• Energized by challenges, with a strong attention to detail and commitment to high performance work and talent development.
• Maintains a strategic big picture mindset while driving operational excellence.
• The successful candidate will need to be energized by challenge, be attentive to details, credible and dedicated to producing work and developing talent at the highest level

Applicants in the U.S. mus