Head of Retail Development (Specialist and Duty Free)

We have an exciting opportunity at AGS Airports Limited for a Head of Retail Development - Specialist and Duty Free, to join our Commercial team., AGS is embarking on an exciting period of growth across the airport portfolio with an increasing focus on commercial activities.

The newly created role of Head of Retail Development Specialist and Duty Free is pivotal in ensuring AGS's vision to be the UK's leading regional airport group is delivered.

Retail contracts at the AGS airports mostly operate on a concession basis where the airport receives a percentage of the retailer's sales as the rent'.

It's vital that airports and retailers work closely to understand the levers driving the performance and produce joint action plans to evolve and improve.

The Head of Retail Development Specialist and Duty Free is a senior management role in the commercial team that will build a portfolio of first-class retail brands and concepts across the group, from identification of an opportunity, to jointly creating the concept, negotiating contracts right through to the opening of the new facility.

Working closely with the colleagues in the Insights team, marketing and finance, the postholder will shape the future of retail across the airport group incorporating innovative touches in the retail concepts, exceptional fitouts, delivering an outstanding customer experience and optimal returns.

Reporting to the Retail Director, this role will cover a wide geographical area so building strong internal stakeholder relationships is vital to ensure timely delivery of projects.

Geographical location for this role is not fixed on one site but weekly travel to Glasgow for 1-2 days is expected and to Aberdeen and Southampton occasionally.

Transport and hotel costs will be covered by AGS

Principle accountabilities

• Accountability for all retail and Foreign Exchange Business Development and contract negotiations across the group.


• Responsible for the creation of new concepts and business cases for retail growth


• In partnership with the head of Retail Ops and Performance, understanding of customer insights to deliver improvement plans and other interventions when needed.


• Maintain productive Stakeholder relations both with onsite retail operators and within the wider industry, creating a pipeline of opportunities .


• Stay up to date with all industry trends, understanding which retail brands and operators work for our passenger demographic and suggest how they could fit with AGS airports.


• Continually monitor and manage the Retail product offering throughout the airport, ensuring it is meeting the needs of our customers


• Influence the retail stakeholders, creating a high-performance customer centric culture.


• Put in place standardised procedures and reporting tools to ensure AGS follows the same process across all 3 airports.


• In partnership with the Head of Operations and Performance, develop a standardised stakeholder management process, ensuring regular trading reviews with clear KPIs and actions.


• Oversee all Retail related capital projects, ensuring units are open on budget and on time.
  
  5+ years in a mid to senior level commercial retail role.


• Extensive knowledge of the Retail market


• Experience leading retail teams either directly or indirectly


• Contract management


• Negotiation skills


• Customer focused with experience of building a strong customer proposition.


• A proven track record of business transformation.


• Financially literate with a clear understanding of P&Ls.


• A strong organisation mindset, with ability to set up new teams and processes.


• Ability to present ideas and concepts concisely to the exec and board.


• Evidence of innovation, entrepreneurialism and the ability to rigorously test and apply new ideas.


• A strong relationship builder both internally and externally.


• A passion for retail, food and beverage and the customer.


Framework and boundaries

• Reports to the Retail Director


• Group Corporate governance standards and procedures


• Company Policy and Procedures
  
  This is a permanent, full time role.AGS sites are Glasgow, Southampton and Aberdeen airports and although geographical location for this role is not fixed on one site, weekly travel to Glasgow for 1-2 days is required with occasional travel to Aberdeen and Southampton airports.


What we can offer you :

• Competitive salary and benefits package


• Participation in our annual bonus plan


• 25 days annual holiday plus 8 public holidays


• Generous pension contributions


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Private Healthcare


• Flexible Benefit Platform


• Life Assurance Cover


• Free on-site car parking


• Agile / Flexible working, where appropriate for the role