Head of Retail, South Territory EMEA

Territory Scope & Context

Location: Within the assigned South region, ideally based near a store or office
Reporting to: Retail Director EMEA
Direct reports: Area Managers across South territory
Cluster South: France; Spain; Portugal; Italy

Major Accountabilities

• Strategic & Commercial Accountabilities
  Cluster strategy and growth: Define and deliver the cluster retail strategy aligned to EMEA priorities; prioritise investments, local initiatives and resource allocation to grow market share, margin and customer loyalty.
  P&L and commercial ownership: In partnership with Finance and Commercial teams, own the commercial levers that drive top-line and margin performance (pricing, assortment, promotions, productivity). Set stretch targets and hold the region accountable for delivery.
  Market adaptation: Translate global campaigns and assortments into locally relevant plans that capitalise on seasonal peaks and regional consumer behaviour. Use sales, traffic, inventory and CRM analytics to identify opportunities and risks; implement targeted interventions to improve conversion, ATV and stock turn.

• Operational Leadership & Execution
  Operational excellence: Ensure consistent execution of the New Balance operational standards across owned & operated stores. Embed rigorous audit, compliance and loss-prevention disciplines.
  Estate & Openings: Partner expansion team with site selection input, opening plans and post-opening ramp strategies; ensure new stores meet commercial milestones and deliver expected ROI.
  Risk and cost control: Manage regional operating costs, shrinkage targets and stock control processes; ensure robust processes across omnichannel fulfilment points.
  Brand and customer experience: Safeguard visual merchandising, service standards and local activations to deliver a consistent, locally relevant New Balance experience.

• Leadership, People & Stakeholder Management
  Direct reports and team structure: Line manage Area Managers who in turn manage Store Managers across the cluster. Set clear objectives, run structured performance and talent reviews, and ensure consistent coaching and capability development across the region.
  Talent and succession: Build bench strength through targeted development plans, training programmes and succession planning in partnership with HR.
  Cross-functional influence: Act as the primary interface between field operations and EMEA functions (Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR, Finance). Influence assortment, allocation and trade marketing decisions to reflect local market needs.
  External relationships: Own relationships with landlords, shopping centre operators and key retail partners.

Requirements For Success

• Experience, Skills & Attributes
  Minimum 5+ years area/territory management with progressive responsibility; proven success in multi-market retail leadership, ideally in sportswear, footwear or lifestyle retail.
  Executive presence, strong commercial judgement, decisive under pressure, and a track record of building capability in dispersed/remote teams.
  Advanced analytical capability; P&L and budget ownership; expertise in audit, shrinkage control and retail operations.
  Entrepreneurial, change-oriented, autonomous and comfortable operating with remote leadership.
  Strong communication skills with the ability to present, influence and engage teams.

• Additional Requirements
  Fluent in English and one or more local language.
  High travel readiness across the cluster and flexibility for peak periods, approximately 70-80% time on average.
  Flexible availability, including weekends and peak trading periods.
  Valid EU driving license (mandatory).

KPIs & Success Measures

• Commercial: Regional same-store sales vs target; gross margin and EBITDA contribution.

• Operational: Audit pass rate; shrinkage percentage vs threshold; time to close corrective actions; successful delivery and adoption of cross-functional projects.

• People: Engagement & Retention for all levels in territory; leadership bench strength; training completion and engagement scores.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion. If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.