Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy

ON.com; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sportswear brand is looking for a Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy. This role involves owning the strategy to elevate the brand's premium positioning in department stores across Europe. The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience in premium or luxury brands, a strong background in channel strategy, and a proven track record of growth. This position offers an opportunity to work with high-profile partnerships and shape the brand's future in the retail landscape.

Benefits

Environment focused on growth and progress

Opportunities for self-care and well-being

Qualifications

• 8+ years in premium/luxury apparel, sportswear, or lifestyle brands.
• Experience with luxury department stores across Europe.
• Background in channel strategy, brand management, or merchandising.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the EMEA department store strategy.
• Define differentiated channel roles and growth pathways.
• Lead expansion of concessions and Shop-in-Shops in key cities.
• Build and lead senior level partnerships.

Skills

Premium/luxury brand experience

Channel strategy expertise

Sales and merchandising acumen

Cross-functional teamwork

Job description

Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy

On’s vision is to become the world’s most premium sportswear brand. To accelerate this ambition, the Department Store channel will serve as a key growth engine, elevating our premium positioning through access to iconic doors in major global cities. With a strong focus on apparel and the female consumer while continuing to drive footwear and accessories. This channel offers a unique opportunity to deliver differentiated brand experiences through premium placement and best-in-class adjacencies.

The Head of EMEA Department Store Channel Strategy will shape and lead our strategy across the region, building scalable models, enabling commercial success, and ensuring elevated execution across wholesale, concession, and 3rd-party partnerships. This role will act as the strategic connector across Global Retail, Merchandising, Product, Strategy, and EMEA sub-regions/markets, while also leading a major partnership with Central Group, where the majority of our concessions will be located.

Your Mission

Own and drive the EMEA department store strategy in line with On’s premium and retail ambitions

Define differentiated channel roles, business models, and growth pathways across the region.

Lead the expansion of elevated concessions and flagship Shop-in-Shops across key cities

Define and deploy the optimal commercial model by partner, market and category

Position department stores as a core brand building platform, with a focus on premium placement and ensure the right brand adjacencies to elevate our voice to our customer base.

Build and lead senior level partnerships, including anchor concession partners

Act as the central integrator across global and regional teams, owning standards, execution, and KPIs

Your story

8+ years in premium/luxury apparel, sportswear, or lifestyle brands

Proven experience working with luxury department stores across Europe and driving exponential growth in priority doors through a combination of long-term strategic planning and decisive short-term actions

Background in channel strategy, retail, brand management, sales, or merchandising

Experience with multi-model commercial structures such as concession, wholesale, and 3rd-party operators

Working with x-functional and x-channel teams

Strong understanding of apparel merchandising and the consumer journey across the channels

About the Team

We connect On with the world.By working closely with retailers, the Sales team shares the On experience and gets people moving, one relationship at a time. We always put the person first when it comes to creating lasting partnerships and growing our global fan base. What keeps us motivated? We're not just selling products, we're creating journeys and building communities that inspire people to embrace the power of movement.

What sets us apart is our mindset of doing the right thing. Giving up the quick wins of today for the more meaningful, long-lasting benefits of tomorrow. True entrepreneurship means focusing on the bigger picture to make a lasting, positive impact.

What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.