Retail & Operations Director

Zachary Daniels; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Zachary Daniels is seeking a Retail & Operations Director in Belfast, a senior leadership role within a luxury and premium retail environment. The position reports to the Managing Director and focuses on shaping the next phase of the business, leading retail, operations, commercial performance and client experience.

The ideal candidate will develop leadership capability, coach senior managers, and drive brand partnerships while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Qualifications

• Senior leader from luxury, premium or high-service environment with strong commercial thinking and a genuine passion for people.
• Experience leading through senior managers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong ability to build trust with colleagues, clients and brand partners and to drive an exceptional client experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and operational leadership across the retail estate and customer experience.
• Drive sales, profitability, budgets and forecasting with a focus on sustainable growth.
• Develop leadership capability, succession planning and talent development across the business.
• Oversee buying, merchandising, e-commerce, systems and innovation to strengthen the offering.
• Strengthen relationships with brand partners and identify new commercial opportunities.
• Drive operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement.
• Partner with the MD and Senior Leadership Team on longer-term strategy.

Job description

Retail & Operations Director

Belfast | Senior Leadership | Luxury & Premium Retail

An exceptional opportunity for an experienced senior leader to join a highly respected, people-focused luxury business as Retail & Operations Director.

This is a role for someone who believes that exceptional commercial performance starts with exceptional people. Someone who enjoys developing leaders, coaching teams, creating accountability and bringing people with them on the journey.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and strategic partner to the Managing Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next stage of the business, with broad responsibility across retail, operations, commercial performance, client experience and business development.

The Opportunity

You will lead the overall performance of the retail operation, working closely with the senior leadership team to drive sustainable revenue and profit growth, strengthen operational effectiveness and continually enhance the client experience.

A major focus will be developing the leadership capability of the organisation - coaching and challenging senior managers, building succession and creating an environment where people are empowered to perform at their best.

You will also have a key role in strengthening relationships with the prestigious brands the business represents, ensuring the organisation continues to be an outstanding ambassador for each brand.

Key areas will include:

• Strategic and operational leadership across the retail estate.
• Sales, profitability, P&L, budgets, forecasting and commercial performance.
• Leadership development, succession planning and talent development.
• Oversight of buying and merchandising, e-commerce, systems and innovation.
• Developing aftercare and service as an important part of the client experience.
• Strengthening brand partnerships and identifying new commercial opportunities.
• Driving operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement.
• Working alongside the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team on the longer-term strategy.

About You

We are looking for a senior leader from a luxury, premium or high-service environment who combines strong commercial thinking with a genuine passion for people.

You may have built your career within luxury retail, premium consumer brands, hospitality, fashion, automotive or another environment where client experience, brand representation and people development are fundamental to success.

You will be:

• An inspirational leader who genuinely enjoys developing others.
• Commercially astute, with strong P&L and financial understanding.
• Experienced in leading through senior managers and cross-functional teams.
• A strong relationship builder who can build trust with colleagues, clients and brand partners.
• Comfortable influencing and challenging at senior level.
• Collaborative, authentic and able to bring people with you through change.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional client experiences and representing premium brands to the highest standards.

The Culture

People are genuinely at the heart of the business.

There is a strong focus on developing colleagues, recognising individual contribution and creating an environment where people can grow and reach their potential. The successful individual will be someone who leads through coaching and development, rather than simply managing performance.

This is an opportunity to join an established luxury business at an exciting stage of its development, take a genuine seat within the Senior Leadership Team and have a meaningful influence on its future direction.

If you are an ambitious senior leader who combines commercial strength with a genuine passion for people, brands and client experience, we would be very interested in speaking with you.

BH37344