Head of Retail - Travel

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Travel brand seeks a Head of Retail for a contract-to-permanent position in West London. This pivotal role entails developing and executing retail strategies while driving sales and profitability across duty-free operations. Candidates should possess extensive experience in high-volume retail environments, showcasing strong leadership skills and financial acumen.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, especially in duty-free and travel retail.
• Proven success in driving sales growth and profitability across multiple retail stores.
• Strong understanding of duty-free operations and concession agreements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement overall retail strategy for duty-free and tenders.
• Drive sales targets and profitability across all stores.
• Manage budgets, analyze sales data, and prepare commercial reports.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial Acumen

Retail Management

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

The Change Partners - Global talent specialists for a connected world

Location:

West London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

4

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

Job Description:

The Change Partners are working with an iconic Travel brand that is looking for a Head of Retail on an initial contract-to-permanent basis. The role will start part-time (1-2 days per week initially, increasing over time).

The Head of Retail will be responsible for the overall retail strategy and execution, including duty-free and operator tenders, management, and implementation, working closely with operators for retail execution.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement the overall retail strategy for duty-free and tenders, aligning with company objectives and market trends.
2. Drive sales targets and profitability across all stores through effective merchandising, promotions, and team motivation.
3. Oversee retail operations, including inventory management, visual merchandising, store maintenance, and compliance with operational standards and regulations specific to duty-free and tenders.
4. Manage and execute outlet implementations with operators.
5. Ensure a customer-centric approach, delivering exceptional service and a memorable shopping experience for international travelers.
6. Manage budgets, analyze sales data, control costs, and prepare regular commercial reports for senior management.
7. Build and maintain relationships with authorities, concessionaires, brand partners, and key stakeholders in the duty-free and tender ecosystem.
8. Keep abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and traveler demographics to identify new opportunities and inform strategies.
9. Participate in and oversee the development of competitive tender bids for retail concessions, demonstrating understanding of commercial terms and operational requirements.

Your background:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, especially within duty-free, travel retail, airports/rail, or similar international concession environments.
• Proven success in driving sales growth and profitability across multiple retail stores.
• Strong understanding of duty-free operations, retail management, and concession agreements.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to inspire and manage diverse teams.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.