Head of Retail - UK & Ireland

Job Description

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Dr. Martens is more than a brand - it's a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. We're a thriving, values- driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work. If you're ready to make your mark, you're in the right place.

At DM, our values guide everything we do: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. They're not just words - they're how we turn passion into progress.

WHERE YOU SIT

As our Head of Retail, you'll be part of the Commercial team working closely with brilliant people across the business and reporting into General Manager. You'll be right at the heart of fast-moving projects that shape how we show up for our consumers - today and tomorrow.

WHERE YOU CONTRIBUTE

The Head of Retail leads the retail channel strategy and execution across Markets, ensuring stores deliver a premium, consumer-centric experience aligned with brand positioning. This role drives profitable growth through operational excellence, people leadership, and omnichannel integration, while optimising the retail estate to meet market needs. It plays a critical role in achieving strategic priorities: engaging more consumers, driving more purchase occasions, and curating market-right distribution.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

As our Head of Retail, you will be responsible for:

• Defining and delivering the retail strategy for markets, including estate optimisation, store formats, openings, closures and upgrades, while ensuring consistent consumer experience standards.
• Owning retail P&L and commercial performance, driving revenue, profit and margin growth while improving full-price sales, conversion, footfall, ASP and NPS.
• Driving operational excellence across retail, establishing effective processes and standards for operations, compliance, health & safety and inventory management.
• Leading and developing Regional Managers and retail teams, building a high-performing, consumer-centric culture focused on accountability, engagement and succession.
• Partnering across Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce and Global Supply Chain to deliver connected omnichannel experiences, seasonal activations and market-led improvements to global frameworks.

KEY SKILLS & CAPABILITIES

Put simply, the key things we're looking for are:

• Proven experience leading large, multi-country retail operations within a premium or lifestyle brand, with strong expertise in retail estate strategy and operations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing P&L, profitability targets and data-driven retail KPIs.
• Inspirational people leadership skills, with the ability to engage diverse teams, build succession pipelines and drive high performance.
• Deep understanding of consumer experience and omnichannel retail, with the ability to navigate complexity and lead change in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence working across global and local teams.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Hybrid working
• Welcome free pair of Docs
• Buy as you Earn Share scheme
• 65% off all Docs
• 50% off Accessories
• Pension Scheme through Aviva
• Life Assurance
• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Private healthcare
• 2 paid volunteer days per year

READY TO FILL YOUR BOOTS?

If you're excited to own your impact, shape the future of an iconic brand, and grow your career in a place that champions individuality - we'd love to hear from you.

Application closing date: Friday 11th of September 2026

At Dr. Martens, we are committed to creating an environment in which we can all be our best and bring our authentic selves to work. We encourage applications, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our brand; helping us to speak authentically to our consumers.

We strive to develop a business where our people can thrive and feel empowered to express themselves. Because we believe everyone should feel supported and included whatever their role in the Dr. Martens community.