Director of International Store Development

Department: Multibrand/Hybrid/Franchise

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London, London, London Office, London, United Kingdom, Hybrid

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of international store development projects from site approval through grand opening.
• Oversee the development of owned retail stores, wholesale environments, franchise locations, pop-up experiences, and temporary brand activations.
• Translate the approved creative vision into operationally successful retail environments while preserving brand integrity.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and critical milestones.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with company objectives.

• Partner closely with Real Estate, Retail Operations, Design, Visual Merchandising, Construction, Finance, Procurement, Legal, IT, Security, and regional leadership teams.
• Coordinate internal and external partners including landlords, consultants, contractors, vendors, franchise partners, and wholesale accounts.
• Drive accountability across cross-functional teams, proactively identifying roadblocks and implementing solutions.
• Build strong working relationships across global markets while adapting execution to local requirements.

• Champion operational functionality throughout every development project, ensuring stores support exceptional customer experiences and efficient team operations.
• Evaluate store layouts and facility flow to maximize productivity, customer journey, back-of-house efficiency, and long-term operational scalability.
• Establish and continuously improve development processes, project governance, and execution standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve speed, cost efficiency, and consistency across international projects by leveraging technology, systems, and software solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and scalability.

• Apply strong commercial judgment when evaluating development decisions, balancing customer experience, operational efficiency, budget, and long-term business objectives.
• Support feasibility assessments and project planning for new market expansion.
• Partner with Finance and Real Estate to develop accurate project budgets and capital forecasts.
• Monitor project performance and communicate risks, opportunities, and financial impacts to leadership.

• Present project updates, timelines, budgets, and key decisions to executive leadership with confidence and clarity.
• Create executive-level reporting that provides visibility into project status, risks, and critical milestones.
• Influence stakeholders across multiple functions while maintaining momentum in a fast-paced environment.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelors degree in Business, Construction Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in retail store development, project management, construction management, or retail operations.
• Experience supporting international retail expansion across owned stores, wholesale, franchise, pop-ups, and experiential activations.
• Working knowledge of commercial real estate development and retail construction processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously across global markets.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, facility planning, and customer flow.
• Demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Exceptional project management, planning, and organizational skills.
• Experience presenting to senior executives and influencing cross-functional leadership.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to balance commercial priorities and operational execution.
• Willingness to travel internationally as business needs require.

• Experience supporting high-growth consumer brands.
• Exposure to international retail expansion across EMEA, APAC, and North America.
• Experience working with franchise partners and wholesale retailers.
• Familiarity with global permitting, landlord coordination, and international project execution.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials are a plus.

• An exceptional project manager who thrives in complexity and fast-paced environments.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused.
• Commercially minded, balancing operational excellence with business objectives.
• Confident, polished, and comfortable presenting to executive leadership.
• Calm under pressure and capable of managing competing priorities with urgency.
• A collaborative leader who knows how to influence without direct authority.
• Solutions-oriented, proactive, and adaptable in a rapidly scaling global organization.
• Passionate about creating exceptional retail experiences through disciplined execution rather than creative design.

Benefits, Culture and Perks