Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION:
As the Head of Retail for Territory Central, you are the Retail Director EMEA’s strategic partner and the senior field leader accountable for translating EMEA strategy into market impact across multiple markets. You will lead commercial and operational performance, shape the regional retail organisation, and build capability through your Area Managers. This is a senior, hands‑on role requiring executive presence, cross‑functional influence, and a proven track record of delivering profitable growth in multi‑market retail environments.
This role requires strategic leadership across diverse markets with strong seasonal demand, longer travel distances between locations, and a need for local commercial adaptation while maintaining global brand standards with the ability to travel 70-80% on average.
Territory Scope & Context
Location Within the assigned Centralregion, ideally based near a store or office
Reporting to: Retail Director, EMEA
Direct reports: Area Managers across Centralterritory
ClusterCentralGermany, Austria, Poland
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 areaterritory 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
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.
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 averageFlexible availability, including weekends and peak trading periods
Valid EU driving license (mandatory)
-
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.
In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 14,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype.
We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content.
Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static.
But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.
