Head of Retail, North Territory EMEA

Company Overview

Founded in 1906, New Balance has championed empowerment through sport and craftsmanship, striving to make a positive impact globally. The company embraces bold innovation and values a culture where all associates feel included, respected, and motivated to drive transformative change.

Job Mission

The Head of Retail for the North Territory will partner strategically with the Retail Director for EMEA, serving as the senior on-the-ground leader accountable for turning EMEA-wide strategies into tangible success across multiple countries. This role involves steering commercial and operational efforts, shaping the regional retail team, and enhancing team capabilities through direct management of Area Managers. A senior, proactive leadership approach with strong executive presence, cross-functional collaboration, and a proven history of profitable growth in diverse multi-market retail settings is essential.

Territory Scope & Context

The role focuses on the North cluster, encompassing the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark. Ideally, the candidate should be based near a store or office within this region, reporting directly to the Retail Director, EMEA and overseeing Area Managers in the territory. Extensive travel averaging 70-80% is required.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and implement a cluster retail strategy aligned with EMEA objectives, prioritizing investments, local initiatives, and resource allocation to increase market share, margin, and customer loyalty.
• Collaborate with Finance and Commercial teams to manage commercial levers including pricing, assortment, promotions, and productivity to achieve top-line and margin goals. Establish ambitious targets and ensure regional accountability.
• Adapt global campaigns and assortments to local market conditions, leveraging seasonal highs and consumer behavior insights.
• Utilize sales, traffic, inventory, and CRM data analytics to identify opportunities and challenges, applying targeted interventions to enhance conversion rates, average transaction value, and stock turnover.
• Ensure the uniform application of New Balance operational standards in owned and operated stores, enforcing audit, compliance, and loss-prevention protocols.
• Collaborate with the expansion team on site selection, opening plans, and post-opening ramp-up strategies to ensure stores meet commercial expectations and deliver anticipated returns.
• Manage regional operating expenses, stock shrinkage targets, and stock control processes, ensuring robust procedures across omnichannel fulfillment locations.
• Preserve visual merchandising standards, customer service quality, and local marketing activations to maintain a consistent, regionally relevant New Balance brand experience.
• Lead Area Managers responsible for Store Managers, establishing clear objectives, conducting structured performance and talent reviews, and promoting consistent coaching and skill development throughout the region.
• Partner with Human Resources to enhance talent pipelines through focused development plans, training initiatives, and succession planning.
• Serve as the primary liaison between field operations and EMEA departments such as Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance, influencing assortment, allocation, and marketing decisions to meet local market demands.
• Maintain and develop relationships with landlords, shopping center operators, and key retail partners.

Requirements for Success

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible area or territory management experience, with demonstrated success in multi-market retail leadership—preferably within sportswear, footwear, or lifestyle retail.
• Strong executive presence, commercial acumen, decisiveness under pressure, and a proven ability to build capabilities in distributed or remote teams.
• Advanced analytical skills, ownership of P&L and budgets, expertise in audit, shrinkage control, and retail operations management.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, adaptable to change, autonomous in decision-making, and comfortable leading remotely.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present, influence, and engage diverse teams effectively.

Key Performance Indicators

• Achieve or exceed regional same-store sales targets.
• Maintain gross margin and EBITDA contributions in line with expectations.
• Ensure high audit pass rates and keep shrinkage within threshold limits.
• Promptly close corrective actions and successfully implement cross-functional projects.
• Support strong employee engagement, retention, leadership development, and training participation within the territory.

Additional Requirements

• Fluency in English plus at least one additional local language spoken within the territory.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively (approximately 70-80%) with availability during weekends and peak trading periods.
• Possess a valid EU driving license (mandatory).

Equal Opportunity Employment

New Balance is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all associates and applicants without discrimination based on age, disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, gender reassignment, or any other protected characteristic. The company actively promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and is open to providing required adjustments to support candidates.