Director, Retail

Director, RetailLocated on Vancouver Island, 40 minutes from downtown Victoria, Malahat SkyWalk offers breathtaking views and immersive natural experiences for visitors from around the world. With a focus on expanding its retail operations, Malahat SkyWalk seeks a Director of Retail to lead these initiatives. This role will play a critical part in driving revenue growth, improving visitor engagement through the retail experience, and developing new merchandise that aligns with the Malahat brand.The Director of Retail will be responsible for managing all aspects of retail operations, including product development, visual merchandising, and strategic growth. Reporting to senior leadership, this role will have a significant impact on both the guest experience and overall revenue performance at the attraction.This position reports to the General Manager.About YouThe ideal candidate brings a wealth of retail leadership experience, ideally within the tourism or attraction sectors. You are a strategic, growth-driven thinker with a passion for innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset. You excel at crafting unique guest experiences through retail, with a strong focus on product development, visual merchandising, and optimizing retail spaces to increase engagement.With a hands-on approach, you are adept at driving revenue growth and elevating the overall guest experience. You possess financial acumen and a talent for developing cross-functional strategies that lead to measurable results in dynamic environments. You thrive in roles where creativity meets commerce and are skilled at transforming retail opportunities into profitable and compelling guest attractions.ResponsibilitiesRetail Strategy & Revenue Growth:Develop and implement strategies to significantly increase retail revenue per guest over the next several years, aligning with long-term growth objectives.Oversee retail expansion initiatives, the development of new merchandise, and creating a cohesive and engaging product mix across all retail footprints. Product Development & Merchandising:Lead product development initiatives, working closely with branding and marketing teams to expand Malahat SkyWalk's branded merchandise.Optimize retail space layout and visual merchandising to enhance the guest experience and increase revenue, particularly during high-traffic periods.Team Leadership & Collaboration:Manage the retail team, including supervising the current manager of retail, and ensure smooth operations across all retail outlets.Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing and guest services, to create an integrated guest experience that promotes retail sales.Strategic Planning & Expansion:Create a three-to-five-year plan for retail growth, including the development of a potential online store.Work with leadership to assess opportunities for new retail outlets, including potential acquisitions or expansions.Vendor Management & Purchasing:Lead the purchasing process for all retail operations, from sourcing products to negotiating terms with vendors. Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure product quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery. Manage ongoing vendor relationships, fostering collaboration to align product offerings with Malahat SkyWalk’s brand and guest experience. Oversee inventory management, pricing strategies, and ensure that purchasing decisions support both short-term retail needs and long-term growth objectives.Desired Qualities, Expertise and ExperienceExtensive Retail Leadership: A proven track-record of leadership experience in retail, preferably within the tourism, attractions, or hospitality sectors. Proven ability to manage and scale retail operations, drive revenue growth, and lead multi-functional teams across diverse locations.Strategic Retail Planning: Expertise in developing long-term retail strategies that align with overall business goals. Experience overseeing retail expansion projects, including new store openings, product line launches, and cross-functional collaboration with marketing, branding, and guest experience teams.Revenue Optimization: Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth through optimizing product mix, pricing strategies, and enhancing the overall customer experience. Experience implementing metrics to track and improve retail performance, such as revenue per guest and conversion rates.Merchandising and Product Development: Proven track record of leading product development initiatives and curating innovative, branded merchandise lines. Experience in managing visual merchandising to create a cohesive and compelling retail experience that maximizes space utilization and sales.Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong communication and collaboration skills with a history of working alongside marketing, guest experience, and operations teams to create integrated guest experiences that promote retail engagement and sales.Entrepreneurial Mindset: Experience identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities, including potential retail expansions, new store openings, and online retail channels. A creative problem-solver who thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments.Financial and Operational Acumen: Deep understanding of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and revenue analysis. Experience in implementing financial controls to ensure profitability while maintaining high customer satisfaction.Team Leadership: Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing retail teams. Experience in setting goals, providing strategic direction, and fostering a results-oriented culture focused on exceeding targets.Innovation & Creativity: An out-of-the-box thinker with a passion for innovation in retail. Experience in product development, branding, and storytelling, ensuring that all retail operations align with the company’s brand values and mission.Educated in business, marketing, or a related field.Location This position is located on Southern Vancouver island and requires a consistent presence on site. Living in or around the area is necessary. Those who are open to relocation will be considered. Compensation and BenefitsThe compensation range for this position includes a base of $90,000 - $130,000, along with the potential for bonuses based on performance metrics. This range is designed to be competitive within the industry and accommodates talent with varied levels of experience and qualifications. The final offer will consider the candidate’s skills, experience, regional cost of living, and the overall value they bring to the role. Exceptional candidates with unique expertise may be considered for compensation outside of the stated range.Malahat SkyWalk is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.