Job Description
Our client is a well established, premium Australian lifestyle brand with an omni-channel model spanning wholesale, e-commerce and a boutique retail network across NSW and New Zealand. Following a recent restructure of the retail channel, the business is bringing in an experienced, hands-on retail operator to lead a defined performance turnaround ahead of and through the peak trading period.
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This is a genuine intervention role, not a caretaker position. You will be judged on measurable commercial outcomes within your first weeks on the ground, with strong potential for the engagement to convert to a permanent leadership role for the right person.
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About They Role
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Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for restoring store performance to business case levels and lifting the retail channel's contribution ahead of peak trade. This includes:
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Turning around the network's flagship store, diagnosing and fixing conversion and average transaction value, addressing team capability, floor management and visual and stock presentation, and establishing a daily performance rhythm
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Embedding operating disciplines across the store network, including industry standard rostering to a wages-to-sales target, stock management, loss prevention and store-level performance reporting
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Leading retail performance across Australia and New Zealand, with accountability for sales, profitability, productivity, and operational outcomesDeveloping and executing strategic business plans, forecasts, budgets, and people plans
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Coaching store managers and teams on the floor in selling skills and product knowledge, building capability that outlasts your engagement
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Documenting operating routines,



rosters and a performance framework the existing team can run going forward
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Partnering with key stakeholders across Client Relations, Marketing, Human Resources, Merchandising, and Operations to deliver market objectives
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Maintaining a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
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About you
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A proven multi-site retail operator with a track record of turning around underperforming stores, ideally within luxury retail, jewellery, fashion, or a premium customer-focused setting.
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Hands-on and floor-based by preference, not a head office strategist. You are comfortable being in stores daily, coaching in real time
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Strong across the fundamentals: rostering economics, conversion levers, stock disciplines and loss prevention
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Available immediately or at short notice
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Familiarity with the Australian and New Zealand retail landscape is an advantage but not essential
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Demonstrated success in developing high-performing leadership teams
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Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
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Commercially driven and entrepreneurial. You spot the opportunity and move on it.
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You lead with empathy, honesty and humility, and hold yourself to the standard you set for your teams.
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The engagement
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Reports directly to the CEO
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Immediate start required, ahead of peak trade
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Sydney based, with regular presence across the NSW store network and travel to New Zealand as required
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This is a rare opportunity to make a fast, visible commercial impact and step into an ongoing leadership role on your own terms. If you have a track record of walking into an underperforming retail network and fixing it, we want to hear from you.

📌 Head Of Retail (New South Wales)
🏢 Arkadia Talent
📍 New South Wales