Who We Are:
NEON is a global leader in creating and producing experiential entertainment. NEON enjoys worldwide partnerships with The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Entertainment for Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. and Marvel Avengers Station: Evolution, 20th Century Studios for AVATAR: The Exhibition, Hasbro for Transformers: The Experience, NBCUniversal for Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: The Exhibition. It also has a partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to produce two brand-new, unique global touring themed art experiences namely Harry Potter: Visions of Magic that premiered in Cologne, Germany, in December 2023, and a DC inspired experience slated to debut in 2025. The Company also partners with the governments of Egypt and Peru for their original artefact IP experiences, Ramses the Great & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, respectively, plus authentic artefact tours Pompeii: The Exhibition, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, and Victoria the T. Rex.
The Group’s IP experiences are powered by ANIMAX, a fully owned subsidiary and a world-class creative animatronics powerhouse that specialises in research and development, engineering and entertainment robotics, with state-of-the-art facilities located in Nashville, US, Wuxi, China and the Middle East.
NEON’s global partnerships have enabled the Group to bring compelling experiences that leave lasting memories to millions of visitors in more than 80 cities to date globally. For more information, please visit www.neonglobal.com.
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Position Summary:
We are looking for a results-oriented VP, Retail Operations to lead and manage our retail operations across the APAC region. This strategic leadership role will oversee all retail functions, including operational efficiency, team management, customer experience, and financial performance. You will be responsible for developing and implementing the retail strategy for the region, optimizing the operational performance of existing stores, and scaling the retail network to support the company’s growth across multiple markets in APAC.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Retail Strategy Development & Execution:
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive retail strategy for the APAC region, aligned with the company’s global objectives and growth targets.
- Set clear goals and priorities for the region, ensuring alignment across all markets, and lead the execution of initiatives that drive sales, operational excellence, and brand consistency.
- Evaluate new retail opportunities and markets within the APAC region, identifying locations for expansion, store openings, and partnerships.
2. Retail Operations & Efficiency:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of retail stores across the APAC region, ensuring optimal performance in terms of sales, customer experience, and operational processes.
- Implement and standardize best practices across the retail network, ensuring efficient store operations, high inventory turnover, and cost-effective management.
- Maintain operational excellence by streamlining processes related to store operations, inventory management, sales reporting, and customer service.
3. Customer Experience & Brand Leadership:
- Champion the company’s customer experience philosophy, ensuring the brand’s values and high standards are consistently delivered across all retail locations.
- Develop and drive initiatives to enhance customer engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction in stores, making the in-store experience memorable and on-brand.
- Ensure that all stores reflect the brand’s image, values, and standards in terms of store design, visual merchandising, and customer service.
4. Team Leadership & Talent Development:
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing retail management team across the APAC region, including regional managers, store managers, and retail staff.
- Foster a positive, high-energy, and results-driven culture across the team, with a focus on empowerment, continuous learning, and leadership development.
- Recruit and retain top retail talent, ensuring a strong pipeline of leaders to support the company’s regional growth and future objectives.
- Develop training programs and initiatives to enhance the skills and performance of the retail teams, ensuring they are equipped to deliver the best customer experiences.
5. Financial & Performance Management:
- Oversee the financial performance of retail stores, including sales, P&L management, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Analyze sales and operational data to identify opportunities for improvement, setting and achieving key financial targets (e.g., sales growth, profit margins, inventory management, etc.).
- Drive profitability through efficient cost management, optimization of labor costs, and maximizing sales performance in every store.
6. Regional Reporting & Insights:
- Lead the creation of regular reports and presentations for senior leadership, analyzing retail performance across key markets in APAC.
- Provide actionable insights based on market trends, customer feedback, and sales data to inform strategic decisions and improve overall performance.
- Continuously monitor and evaluate retail performance, identifying emerging trends and market opportunities to stay ahead of competitors.
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with marketing, supply chain, product development, and other internal teams to ensure seamless execution of retail programs and promotions.
- Collaborate with the leadership team on key business initiatives, such as new product launches, marketing campaigns, and regional expansion strategies.
- Partner with supply chain teams to ensure efficient stock management, minimizing stockouts and optimizing inventory levels across stores.
Key Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree is a plus.
- Experience: At least 10 years of experience in retail management, with a minimum of 5+ years in senior leadership roles (VP, Director, or equivalent).
- Proven experience leading multi-location retail operations, ideally across multiple APAC markets or similar regions.
- Strong background in retail strategy, operational efficiency, team leadership, and P&L management.
- Experience in driving retail growth, managing large teams, and scaling operations in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Expertise in customer experience management, brand development, and retail marketing.
Key Skills & Competencies:
- Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and drive performance across diverse teams.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term and align retail operations with broader business goals and regional market trends.
- Operational Excellence: Deep understanding of retail operations, from inventory management and store performance to sales strategies and cost control.
- Financial Acumen: Proven track record of managing P&L, budgets, and driving profitability across multiple locations.
- Customer-Centric Mindset: Deep understanding of customer behavior and a strong focus on delivering exceptional in-store experiences.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze performance data, market trends, and customer insights to make data-driven decisions.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leadership and key stakeholders.