Retail Director

About the Company

We represent one of the premier luxury retail groups in the UAE, managing a distinguished collection of high-end brands across fragrances, food and beverage, and lifestyle sectors. With a robust footprint throughout the GCC, the company is dedicated to offering outstanding customer experiences, operational excellence, and sustained growth by leveraging innovation, craftsmanship, and top-tier retail standards.

About the Role

We seek an experienced and commercially savvy Retail Director to oversee retail operations throughout the GCC region. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this leadership role entails responsibility for boosting commercial results, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction across multiple markets while managing a team of Area Supervisors.

The ideal candidate is a practical retail leader with in-depth luxury retail experience, a strong business mindset, and a proven track record managing regional multi-store operations. Extensive travel throughout the GCC is required to ensure the consistent implementation of the company’s retail strategies and brand standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage retail operations across all GCC markets ensuring strategies and growth plans alignment.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Area Supervisors to nurture a high-achievement culture across the retail network.
• Drive sales expansion, profit margins, and operational productivity in all stores.
• Analyse store performance using key KPIs including sales, conversion rate, average transaction value, units per transaction, productivity, inventory control, shrinkage, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular business evaluations with Area Supervisors and Store Managers to identify improvement opportunities and resolve challenges.
• Ensure the delivery of superior customer service and adherence to luxury retail standards across all locations.
• Perform frequent store visits across the GCC to monitor operational effectiveness, compliance, visual merchandising, and team performance.
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, HR, finance, and other departments to implement commercial initiatives.
• Develop comprehensive annual sales targets, budgets, forecasts, and operational plans to meet business goals.
• Track market trends, competitor moves, and customer insights to guide strategic decisions.
• Lead recruitment, succession planning, coaching, and leadership development for retail management.
• Ensure all company policies, procedures, health and safety standards, and brand guidelines are followed.
• Prepare and present detailed retail performance reports and strategic recommendations to the Managing Director.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continual enhancement, operational excellence, and customer-centricity throughout the region.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Marketing, or related fields; MBA preferred.
• Between 10 to 15 years of progressive, hands-on luxury retail operations experience.
• Demonstrated expertise managing regional multi-store retail operations across the GCC.
• Strong experience overseeing Area Supervisors, Area Managers, and large retail teams.
• Proven ability to enhance sales performance, profitability, and operational standards.
• Preferred experience in luxury fashion, fragrances, beauty, jewelry, watches, or premium lifestyle brands.
• Robust commercial and financial skills in budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing retail metrics.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and retail ERP/reporting systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle, or similar.
• Willingness and ability to travel widely across the GCC region.

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Luxury retail operations management
• Commercial and financial insight
• Regional multi-store oversight
• Sales and profit margin growth
• Performance evaluation and KPI management
• Exceptional customer experience delivery
• Team leadership and development
• Business planning and forecasting accuracy
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Effective change management
• Operational excellence
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills