Head Of Retail Operations

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is supporting a well-established organisation in Central London to recruit a Head of Retail Operations on a 6-month maternity cover basis. The role oversees physical retail, ecommerce, merchandising, buying and product development, with a focus on strong leadership, commercial performance and exceptional customer experience.

The successful candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary team, drive sales and profitability, and report on KPIs to senior stakeholders, while

Qualifications

• Senior retail leadership experience within retail, visitor attractions, heritage, cultural, hospitality or destination environments
• Experience managing multi-site or high-volume retail operations
• Strong track record of delivering sales and profitability targets
• Experience overseeing both physical and online retail channels
• Excellent people leadership and team development skills
• Strong commercial, financial and analytical capability
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and presenting business performance data
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and motivating a multi-disciplinary retail team
• Driving retail sales, margin and purchasing performance
• Monitoring and reporting on commercial KPIs
• Overseeing both physical retail and ecommerce operations
• Supporting buying, merchandising and inventory management activities
• Managing stock performance, availability and stock loss controls
• Ensuring strong visual merchandising and customer experience standards
• Building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and board-level contacts
• Maintaining operational compliance and financial controls
• Acting as a visible leader across the retail operation

Job description

Head of Retail Operations

6-Month Maternity Cover | Central London | Competitive Salary

Are you an experienced retail leader looking for an opportunity to lead a unique, high-profile retail operation in one of London's most prestigious visitor destinations?

We are recruiting a Head of Retail Operations on behalf of a well-established organisation that welcomes significant annual footfall and operates a successful multi-channel retail business. This is an opportunity to join a respected organisation with a strong brand, dedicated team and ambitious commercial objectives.

This role is ideal for an experienced retail professional who enjoys leading established teams, maintaining high operational standards and delivering strong commercial performance. The focus is on providing visible, supportive leadership and ensuring continuity within an already successful retail function.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team and board, you will take responsibility for the overall performance of the retail operation, overseeing physical retail, ecommerce, merchandising, buying and product development.

You will lead an experienced management team, ensuring sales targets, profitability and operational objectives are achieved while maintaining exceptional customer service and presentation standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, developing and motivating a multi-disciplinary retail team
• Driving retail sales, margin and purchasing performance
• Monitoring and reporting on commercial KPIs
• Overseeing both physical retail and ecommerce operations
• Supporting buying, merchandising and inventory management activities
• Managing stock performance, availability and stock loss controls
• Ensuring strong visual merchandising and customer experience standards
• Building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and board-level contacts
• Maintaining operational compliance and financial controls
• Acting as a visible leader across the retail operation

About You

We're interested in speaking with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Senior retail leadership experience within retail, visitor attractions, heritage, cultural, hospitality or destination environments
• Experience managing multi-site or high-volume retail operations
• A strong track record of delivering sales and profitability targets
• Experience overseeing both physical and online retail channels
• Excellent people leadership and team development skills
• Strong commercial, financial and analytical capability
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and presenting business performance data
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational leadership

Most importantly, you'll be someone who can step into an established and successful environment, support and develop an existing team, build strong relationships and provide steady leadership throughout the maternity cover period.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high‑profile retail operation with significant responsibility and visibility. You'll inherit a committed and capable team and play a key role in maintaining the success of a respected organisation during an important period.

If you're a commercially focused retail leader who enjoys developing people, building relationships and driving performance, we'd love to hear from you.