State Manager

What's in this for you?  

• No set weekend work: however you will be the first port of call for any escalated issues, that need resolving
• The ability to take 6 weeks leave a year (4 paid)
• Parental Leave: If a baby is on the horizon…the offer of 26 weeks paid leave for the primary carer and 8 weeks for the secondary carer
• This is a brilliant leadership role focussed on leadership in the true sense i.e. engaging & developing 'leaders of leaders' to be the best versions of themselves
• To be part of a retailer with a strong growth agenda and store expansion strategy. The opportunities are therefore endless
• An awesome opportunity to be part of a fun, down-to-earth, inclusive, values and teams based culture, which has such a focus on its people and achieving as 'one team'
• A role that has work-life balance…and it is expected
• A generous package inc car allowance & bonus – we are looking for one of the markets best

Your Prospective Employer:

Be part of something 'AWESOME.' Well established in prime locations, this thriving specialty retailer is tackling their market opponents 'head-on' with their differentiated product, diverse ranges and first-class customer service and instore experiences. Their results continue to be phenomenal: tracking above market norms with excellent sales growth and performance. The State Manager role is a highly valued role within the business as it makes a powerful commercial contribution to the success, growth and engagement of the Area Managers, store network and customer experiences through first-class leadership, support, mentorship, guidance and influence. Buoyed by this organisations level of success and consumer recognition; they have attracted some of the market's best business minds and leaders across all of their channels…here is your opportunity to be one.

What will you do in an average week?

In this influential and 'hands on' role leading the VIC state, and as a critical member of the National Operations team you will:

• Initially, and for at least your first few weeks, you will simply 'learn the ropes,' spending time inducting out in stores, listening, watching and learning the business and 'getting to know' your team, your leaders and your State across every aspect
• Take your State on a journey to even greater levels of excellence with a focus on embedding 'new ways of working' and achieving as 'one team' – in line with the organisations overall transformation to one of agility and greater collaboration
• Be developing and coaching your 'leader of leaders,' empowering them to be accountable and leveraging their strengths so they can be and bring the best versions of themselves everyday. Naturally, leveraging and sharing your deep operational and business experience and helping them to build on their performance within their store teams and with their Store Managers will be key.
• Be identifying and nurturing talent constantly and consistently. The growth and development of your team will be a big focus where succession plans will be in place with individual development plans always at the forefront
• Be continually delivering and developing retail focussed strategic initiatives and a performance-based strategy through exceptional relationship skills and leadership. Know what 'good looks like' and be able to build a plan for the State to deliver to this with high levels of engagement
• Be working with your peers across the country, ensuring the strategy for your state is aligned to all aspects of the overall company and vision and values
• Facilitate and co-ordinate reporting to achieve relevant business updates and drive sound business decision making and engagement
• the values every day, create a culture of 'fun' with your team and celebrate all the wins

Here's what it will take:

• You are proven in your success as a people focussed senior Retail leader in a multi-site retail operations role where you have been accountable for leading 'leaders of leaders' and delivering results through your people. We envisage that the preferred candidate will currently be working in a regional, state or national role.
• Although big box/medium to large format experience is preferred, other retail backgrounds will be considered for an exceptional candidate
• You have diverse product and category experience to bring: Although all category backgrounds will be considered, this opportunity leans to those candidates with more of a "hard goods" background vs soft goods and fashion
• You are all about 'people:' i.e. you have a deep understanding and are 'dialed in' on how people, purpose and culture drives business performance and results
• Leadership ability: You have a 'raving' fan base, are a born people leader and are effortlessly one of those people, that others naturally follow.
• You are a fantastic coach and mentor: you can foster a culture of change, passion and performance through people
• Your style: You have empathy, a natural likeability, a very genuine and engaging communication style and you genuinely 'care'
• Fast, flexible and adaptable approach:  You embrace change, and you can flex up and/or down easily as well as be able to have the courageous conversations whilst always keeping people on side
• You are measured: you know how to tackle competing priorities to get the best outcome for the business and its people every time
• Results-focused: You have a customer focus, excellent communication skills and a thirst for results
• Brilliant communication skills: You naturally translate the vision into day-to-day operational performance
• Highly numerate and commercial:you understand what it takes to run a business profitably and the success levers within. You have demonstrated experience in managing large P&Ls
• Travel: this role will see you 'out in the action' (stores) every day
• Your core: People and the customer is at the core of everything you do

If this sounds like you, then I'd be really keen to hear from you For any direct queries or for a confidential discussion, please call Gabby Symons, MD, People Equity on or contact via email at  Otherwise please APPLY and I will be in touch