Senior Principal, Direct Initiatives

Job Description

The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, excels at partnering across multiple functions and aligning stakeholders around a shared vision, and can translate complex business challenges into clear executive-level recommendations and action plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-priority, cross-functional business initiatives from concept through execution.
• Define project scope, success metrics, operating models, and strategic recommendations.
• Build alignment across cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to enhance consumer experiences, improve business processes, and accelerate growth.
• Drive initiatives related to consumer engagement programs, product launch strategies, pre-order capabilities, and omnichannel commerce experiences.
• Prepare executive-ready presentations, business cases, and strategic recommendations.
• Distill complex analyses into compelling narratives and actionable insights.
• Drive executive alignment through effective storytelling and concise communication.
• Present recommendations to senior leaders and key decision-makers.
• Partner with leaders across Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, Digital Commerce, Consumer Insights, Strategy, and Retail functions.
• Identify and engage the right stakeholders to accelerate decision-making and execution.
• Influence outcomes without formal authority through strong relationship-building and business credibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of experience in strategy, merchandising, planning, marketplace, digital commerce, retail, or related business functions.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives within highly matrixed organizations.
• Strong experience navigating ambiguity and creating clarity in evolving business environments.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organizational alignment.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience evaluating business performance, assortment strategies, and growth opportunities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced presentation development skills, including executive-level storytelling and Keynote or PowerPoint proficiency.
• Experience developing executive-level presentations and strategic recommendations.
• Experience within a leading consumer products, retail, or direct-to-consumer organization.
• Background in Direct-to-Consumer, Marketplace, Merchandising, Planning, Retail Strategy, or Commercial Strategy.
• Experience defining new business capabilities, operating models, or strategic programs.
• Familiarity with digital commerce, consumer journeys, and omnichannel retail environments.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Strategy consulting and business transformation experience.
• Merchandising and/or Planning expertise.
• Direct-to-consumer, marketplace, or retail commerce experience.
• Strong executive presence and storytelling ability.
• Ability to influence across complex organizations.
• Comfort operating with limited direction and incomplete information.
• Commercial and financial thinking balanced with consumer-centric decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and a demonstrated ability to drive alignment across diverse teams.

Benefits

Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Schedule

Flexible work arrangements are available.

Pay

Competitive compensation package.

About the Role

This role requires a unique blend of strategy, commercial acumen, digital and physical retail expertise, and stakeholder leadership. Success will depend on the ability to navigate ambiguity, influence senior leaders, and drive alignment across multiple functions without direct authority.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Experience in digital and physical retail environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and influence skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and create clarity in evolving business environments.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced presentation development skills, including executive-level storytelling and Keynote or PowerPoint proficiency.
• Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives within highly matrixed organizations.
• Experience in strategy consulting and business transformation.
• Merchandising and/or Planning expertise.
• Direct-to-consumer, marketplace, or retail commerce experience.
• Strong executive presence and storytelling ability.
• Ability to influence across complex organizations.
• Comfort operating with limited direction and incomplete information.
• Commercial and financial thinking balanced with consumer-centric decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and a demonstrated ability to drive alignment across diverse teams.

Benefits

Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Contact Information

To apply for this position, please send your information and resume to [email protected] or call us at our Cork office +353 21 2330 150. For more information about Everforth Apex, visit our website at www.apexsystems.com.