Retail & Licensing Director: Brand Growth & Fan Engagement

WRU - Welsh Rugby Union; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee

Life assurance scheme

WRU Group Ticket Allocation

One additional paid day off (birthday)

Employee assistance programme

Team Tactics – hybrid working

Free stadium parking and gym

WRU Group store and tour discounts

WRU Group partnership offers

Eye Care Voucher Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

The Welsh Rugby Union seeks a Head of Retail & Licensing to lead its retail and merchandise strategy, driving revenue growth across physical stores, stadium retail, e-commerce and licensing. Based primarily at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, you will own the retail strategy and partner with suppliers and operations to maximise commercial value.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, you will manage the retail operating partner, shape product ranges and launches, and develop new licensing

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing and delivering retail strategies that have generated revenue and profit growth.
• Strong commercial mindset with ability to identify opportunities and drive retail performance.
• Experience managing external retail partners, suppliers or significant commercial relationships.
• Understanding of retail operations, including inventory, forecasting and merchandising.
• Experience across physical and digital retail channels, including e-commerce performance.
• Commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting and performance analysis.
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence senior colleagues.
• Proactive, independent with capacity to lead commercial initiatives.
• Interest in sport and brand identity; appreciation of fans and merchandise.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of an ambitious retail strategy to grow revenue and profitability.
• Manage the retail operating partner to drive performance across stores, stadium retail and e-commerce.
• Develop commercially successful merchandise ranges, coordinate launches and stock availability.
• Shape the licensing strategy with new products, partnerships and revenue streams.
• Rethink how WRU reaches customers using insight and innovation to improve fan experience.

Skills

Retail strategy development

Commercial mindset

External partner management

Retail operations

Omnichannel / e-commerce

Budget management / financial acumen

Strategic + operational delivery

Stakeholder management

Independent / proactive

Interest in sport / brand

Job description

The Welsh Rugby Union seeks a Head of Retail & Licensing to lead its retail and merchandise strategy, driving revenue growth across physical stores, stadium retail, e-commerce and licensing. Based primarily at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, you will own the retail strategy and partner with suppliers and operations to maximise commercial value.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, you will manage the retail operating partner, shape product ranges and launches, and develop new licensing