Summary
Are you an experienced retail executive with a proven track record leading omnichannel apparel businesses in Canada, including direct ownership of marketing, e-commerce, wholesale and retail store operations? Can you drive sales growth while maintaining brand integrity and delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience across both digital and physical channels? Do you bring strong commercial acumen alongside hands-on leadership in marketing strategy, online performance, and retail execution - with the ability to inspire teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment?
An established and growing Canadian apparel retailer is seeking a Managing Director, Canada to lead the next chapter of growth for a respected national brand positioned in the affordable luxury space. This vertically integrated retailer is supported by a vibrant store network, and a successful ecommerce business, and an emerging wholesale channel.
The organization is ready to transition day-to-day leadership from a founder-led model to an accomplished retail professional who can scale operations, elevate execution, and drive profitable growth. Reporting directly to ownership, the Managing Director will hold responsibility for P&L performance, national omnichannel sales strategy, marketing oversight, and the continued development of a service culture rooted in team-based selling, product pride, and exceptional customer experience. This is an opportunity to position this legacy brand for continued growth in Canada and future international expansion.
Description
Your Focus
Strategic Collaborative Leadership
- Develop and execute a growth strategy across retail, ecommerce, wholesale, and brand expansion
- Partner closely with ownership to align long-term vision with measurable execution plans
- Identify new store opportunities, market expansion strategies, and strategic partnerships
- Build the organizational structure, talent, and systems required for future scale
Operational Excellence
- Oversee daily operations across all retail locations and support functions
- Ensure consistent standards in service, visual merchandising, inventory management, and store execution
- Improve operating efficiencies across stores, head office, and supply chain functions
- Lead real estate priorities, including renewals and new site opportunities
Financial Stewardship
- Assume full P&L responsibility for the Canadian business
- Drive sales growth while optimizing margins, expenses, and inventory productivity
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and reporting on key business performance metrics
- Apply strong commercial discipline to pricing, promotions, assortment, and productivity decisions
Marketing Oversight & Brand Growth
- Provide executive oversight of brand marketing, digital marketing, customer acquisition, and retention strategies
- Ensure all marketing activity reflects the premium positioning of the brand while driving measurable results
- Partner with internal and external teams on campaigns, launches, social media, and seasonal initiatives
- Oversee CRM and loyalty strategies to deepen customer relationships and lifetime value
- Align ecommerce merchandising and marketing efforts to maximize omnichannel performance
Customer Experience
- Refine and lead the national selling culture, ensuring customers receive elevated service across every touchpoint
- Strengthen clienteling disciplines and relationship-based selling strategies
- Protect brand standards while evolving customer expectations across physical and digital channels
Talent Development
- Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team across retail and head office functions
- Foster a culture of accountability, coaching, collaboration, and performance
- Develop succession plans and future leaders across the organization
Requirements
Your Qualifications
- 10+ years of executive leadership experience within fashion apparel, specialty, premium, or luxury retail
- Proven success leading multi-site retail operations and wholesale in Canada with full omnichannel responsibility
- Demonstrated ability to drive sales growth, improve profitability, and manage P&L performance
- Deep understanding of the Canadian retail landscape, consumer behaviour, and regional market nuances
- Strong experience integrating high-touch store environments with seamless digital and e-commerce experiences
- Broad operational expertise across merchandising, inventory management, logistics, real estate, and systems
- Experience working alongside founders, family offices, or entrepreneurial ownership groups
- Strong leadership capability with the ability to inspire teams, build culture, and drive performance
- High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels
- Excellent communication skills and executive presence as a brand ambassador
Corporate Culture
What They Offer
- Competitive executive compensation package with performance-based incentives – base salary $155,000 - $175,000 plus bonus
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Generous employee discount program
- Opportunity to shape the future growth of a leading Canadian fashion brand
- A collaborative, entrepreneurial, and design-driven culture