Area Leader, Connecticut (Northeast)

The Children's Place; Secaucus (NJ); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible

Paid Time Off

Employee Discount

401(k) + company match

Wellness Reimbursement

Adoption Assistance

Backup care

Health insurance plans

Life/AD&D

Short and long term disability

Job summary

The Children's Place in Secaucus, NJ seeks an Area Leader to oversee multiple stores and drive sales growth, profitability, and customer experience across a market. You will coach Store Leaders, implement the company vision, and partner with senior leadership to scale best practices.

Responsible for achieving KPIs, leading high-performance teams, and maintaining operational excellence across locations, with 75% time in stores and 25% in office/trainings as needed.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of retail management experience leading multiple stores, preferably high-volume.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales goals.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L.
• Strong leadership, communication, and motivational skills.
• Ability to analyze business results and make data-driven decisions.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel including overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a district of store leaders to drive sales growth and customer experience.
• Analyze store performance and market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Partner with Store Directors to create action plans that improve comp sales and margins.
• Manage store operations, payroll, and loss prevention while maintaining service levels.
• Build a high-performance culture and develop future leaders.
• Lead operational excellence and ensure adherence to brand standards across locations.
• Spend time in stores and offices/trainings per business needs.

Skills

Retail management

Sales goal achievement

Financial acumen

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Talent development

Flexibility

Travel readiness

Driver's license

Job description

Location: Secaucus, New Jersey

Job Summary

The Area Leader oversees a number of stores within a specified market. Area Leader is a strategic business leader responsible for driving sales growth, profitability, and customer experience across a portfolio of stores. Acting as the head coach for Store Leaders, this role executes the company vision, holds teams accountable to high performance, and partners with senior leadership to scale best practices. The Area Leader ensures each store operates at the highest level of service and operational excellence, building a winning culture that inspires results and develops future leaders.

Responsibilities

• Sales & Financial Accountability
  Own accountability for area sales, profit, and operational targets.
  Analyze store performance and market trends to identify growth opportunities and risks.
  Partner with Store Directors to create action plans that drive comp sales, maximize conversion, and protect margins.
  Manage controllable expenses (payroll, supplies, shrink) while maintaining strong service levels.

• Customer Experience & Service Standards
  Ensure stores deliver consistent, world-class customer experiences that reflect brand values.
  Uphold and audit service, selling behaviors, and brand presentation across all locations.
  Champion customer-focused initiatives that improve loyalty, retention, and overall satisfaction.

• Team Leadership & Development
  Recruit, lead, inspire, develop and manage a team of Store Leaders/Managers, creating a culture of accountability and high performance.
  Act as a coach and mentor, providing ongoing feedback, recognition, and development to elevate leadership capability.
  Identify, develop, and promote top talent to strengthen bench for future growth.
  Build alignment and engagement by clearly communicating business priorities and expectations.

• Operational Excellence
  Ensure flawless execution of operational, merchandising, and visual standards across the district.
  Oversee compliance with company policies, safety standards, and loss prevention programs.
  Lead the area as a benchmark for service, operations, and culture within the region.

• Performance Metrics
  Area sales growth by managing Company measured Key Performance Indicators
  Store performance consistency and improvement.
  Leadership development, succession planning, and retention.
  Customer satisfaction scores across the district.
  It is anticipated that 75% of time is spent in stores leading and supporting store teams to achieve company goals and 25% is spent office, meetings, and training, although these may vary depending on the needs of the business.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of retail management experience, leading a store or a number of stores, preferably in a high-volume or specialty retail environment.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales goals.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L
• Strong leadership, communication, and motivational skills.
• Ability to analyze business results and make data‑driven decisions.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Flexibility to work a schedule based on business needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel which will include overnight stays.
• Drivers License required

Hourly/Salary

Hourly/Salary $75,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary

Benefits

• Bonus eligible (depending on role)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discount
• 401(k) and company match
• Wellness ReimbursementAdoption Assistance
• free backup care (for kids, pets & the elderly)
• choice of health insurance plans
• company-paid life/AD&D
• short and long term disability
• a variety of voluntary benefits and an employee assistance program

Benefit offerings are subject to change and vary by role/level for each position. Respective waiting periods may apply to certain benefit offerings.

The Children's Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

make our PLACE yours Being a part of our team takes collaboration and hard work.

We are seeking top talent who are eager to contribute to a high-performing team!

We are proud to be the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America and continue to celebrate the success of our collection of brands, including The Children’s PLACE, Gymboree, Sugar & Jade and PJ PLACE.

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