Retail & Brand Partnerships Lead - Europe

About Lone Design Club

Lone Design Club is revolutionizing physical retail through its innovative technology platform, Revolving Spaces. We collaborate with prominent European landlords such as Ingka Centres (IKEA), Value Retail, The Crown Estate, Boxpark, and Pradera Lateral to transform vacant retail spaces into vibrant retail destinations. Additionally, we support a rapidly expanding community of premium, emerging, and digitally native brands, enabling them to test new markets and grow their physical footprint without long-term lease commitments.

Role Overview

We are seeking a distinguished retail leader to lead and manage our flagship retail locations across Europe. This role demands ownership for commercial and operational success, including revenue targets, occupancy, brand partnerships, retail operations, and landlord engagement across multiple venues.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage occupancy, revenue, and overall commercial success of flagship retail sites.
• Develop and maintain relationships with luxury, premium, and emerging consumer brands.
• Identify and negotiate retail bookings, curating a balanced and appealing brand mix for each location.
• Collaborate with marketing to boost brand acquisition and grow the brand community.
• Lead daily retail operations, including recruiting and inspiring retail teams and ensuring outstanding customer experiences.
• Develop scalable operational protocols, oversee store launches, fit-outs, and ongoing operational improvements.
• Assume P&L responsibility for flagship destinations.
• Serve as the main operational and commercial liaison with key landlord partners, fostering trusted relationships and conducting regular performance assessments.
• Support new landlord partnership launches throughout Europe.
• Build and expand the European retail and brand partnerships function, including recruiting and mentoring future leaders.
• Implement KPIs, reporting mechanisms, and accountability standards across all locations.
• Participate as a leadership team member in shaping LDC's European growth and international expansion strategies.

Success Indicators

• Consistent achievement of occupancy and revenue targets at flagship locations.
• Exceptional delivery of retail operations.
• Strong retention and expansion of landlord partnerships, with LDC recognized as an exemplary partner.
• Brands demonstrate high satisfaction, with repeat engagements and endorsements.
• Effective launches of new locations employing scalable, repeatable processes.
• Establishment of a high-performing European retail team supporting continued growth.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate possesses:

• Experience in senior retail leadership roles such as Head of Retail, Regional Manager, Area Manager, Multi-site Retail Manager, Retail Operations Manager, or Senior Flagship Store Manager.
• A background within premium retail environments known for top-tier customer service and operational standards.
• An existing network within premium, luxury, and contemporary consumer brands facilitating swift brand engagement.
• Proven capability in managing multiple retail locations across different markets, delivering commercial performance and occupancy.
• Expertise in negotiating commercial partnerships and securing retail agreements.
• Strong skills in recruitment, team coaching, and leadership development.
• Experience collaborating with landlords and high-level stakeholders with a record of building trust and exceeding expectations.
• Ability to design and implement scalable retail operations and continuously enhance standards.

Why Join Lone Design Club?

The retail landscape is evolving rapidly with brands seeking flexible physical retail solutions and landlords aiming to activate vacant spaces innovatively. Lone Design Club stands at the forefront of this change, enabling landlords to launch scalable retail programs and helping brands access premium retail locations.

This position offers substantial autonomy and ownership to build and lead an international retail function, directly influencing the future trajectory of Lone Design Club’s European operations and broader expansion.