Regional Director

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization. 

We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide. 

General Position Summary

The Regional Director (RD) is responsible for overseeing all retail operations of a geographic area (e.g. region, country) and consulting cross-functionally to manage and develop a portion of the retail business. RDs are responsible for implementing business strategy, processes, and company initiatives to achieve key results, while creating a consistent customer experience within stores. RDs hire, develop, and lead a team of diverse retail leaders, including District Sales Managers (DSMs) and newer peer leaders. RDs utilize key financial insights to monitor progress against sales and business objectives, inclusive of supporting and executing a real estate growth strategy, to drive performance across Lids’ stores. 

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

People & Training Development
•    Manage the region’s hiring strategy, including planning / pipeline needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence for DSMs and/or Store Managers (SMs).
•    Share role and behavior expectations and coordinate onboarding training programs to acclimate new team members to Lids.
•    Manage and grow the DSMs and other retail leaders through impactful store visits and follow- up by ensuring that DSMs are provided recognition, gap assessment, ongoing training, and continuous check-ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant, to support and reinforce career and personal growth.
•    Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Brand Standards (e.g. company dress code, etc.).
•    Hold DSMs accountable for managing and developing the SMs and store associates in their region.
•    Facilitate, lead and present at events and training from market to organizational level (e.g. conferences, meetings, etc.).
•    Ensure stores in market execute and adhere with all policies and procedures and operational initiatives.
•    Host visitors and senior leaders to present market / portfolio growth, as well as attend high- profile events.
Strategy, Operations, and Product
•    Ensure that stores are delivering exceptional customer service, achieving key performance indicators (KPIs), and sales target by conducting market visit and leveraging retail management tools as needed.
•    Hold DSMs accountable to store schedule reviews to ensure labor requirements, availability, safety requirement, inventory deliveries, and budget considerations are maintained with efficiency and effectiveness.
•    Develop and influence strategy to drive organizational growth within a pillar of the retail business.
•    Consult and work cross-functionally with Headquarters (HQ) on department-level operational priorities and strategy for growth within market and business pillar.
•    Perform or complete relevant projects, duties, and assignments as required or by request to support the business (e.g. compensation incentives, labor management, operational procedures, etc.)
•    Monitor key financial metrics (e.g. retail sales, profitability, shrink, inventory, labor turnover) to recognize gaps in performance and growth opportunities with implementable solutions.
•    Ensure adherence to visual brand standards, inclusive of optimal layout and visual merchandising (VM) or product presentation strategy, window activations, hardware flips, mannequin flips, and seasonal or weekly merchandise changes.
•    Monitor operations-focused company-level directives, promotions, and initiatives (e.g. from Lids HQ) while considering district/location specific implementation and strategies.
•    Oversee or manage local execution of store renovations / relocations to maintain project timelines and achieve opening goals.
•    Contribute to the annual business plan and financial goals for the market

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

•    Four year degree in business or a related field and one year relevant experience or; two year degree in a related field and at least two years of relevant experience or; three years of relevant experience.
•    Established ability to produce sales results, while minimizing loss.
•    Proven aptitude to perform independently with minimal supervision.
•    Proven supervisory skills, with capacity to deliver training material and assess retention.
•    Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally in a clear, audible, and professional manner.
•    Ability to operate a computer, as well as maneuver relative software programs.

Physical/ Travel Requirements

• In order to perform the essential functions of this job, an employee must be able to meet the following physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle; or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception 

• Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs, and maintain an excellent attendance record. 

• Possess a valid driver’s license, certificate of auto insurance coverage, and the ability to drive an automobile. 

• Extensive travel (up to 90%) in a given geographic area. Driving required for up to 100% of the daily work schedule. 

• Standing required for up to 90% of the work time. 

• Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings. 

Reports To

Vice President, Retail