Retail & Licensing Director

About: 

The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph). Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its sixth season.

SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Underpinning the organization’s purpose-driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and inclusivity.

SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team – Deliver Quality and Consistency; Evolve with Focus; Make it Count; Stand Together and Strike a Balance.

Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Retail & Licensing Director will be responsible for driving the development, growth and expansion of the SailGP global licensing & retail programme. 

Working with licensees, retail partners (inc. third party operators / delivery agents), and the SailGP business, the role will require the identification, planning and execution of a best in class licensing & retail programme to further enhance SailGP's profile, engage fans and drive commercial revenue.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a leader in the retail and licensing space to elevate their career in an exciting and growing international organisation, working in a fast-paced, demanding, dynamic and global environment. As part of the Commercial leadership team, the individual will play a significant role in driving SailGP’s revenue and fan growth objectives. 

Key Responsibilities:

Develop, implement and execute a long-term licensing and retail strategy & program, across: 

Strategy: development and implementation of a transformative strategy for merchandise, retail and licensing to support SailGP’s revenue and audience growth objectives

Event retail: to cover all aspects of retail operations and sales at SailGP event venues, plus other venues and events as required 

Online retail: to develop at pace the SailGP e-commerce platform, providing a best in class customer experience and offering 

Other retail opportunities: identify new licensing and retail opportunities across product categories and territories

Develop leads with prospective licensees with a view to creating cobranded and / or mono-branded commercial license agreements. To include licensee and retail partner renewals.

Where applicable, source, select, contract and manage retail partners to deliver physical retail operations at events 

Lead and coordinate our licensees, retail partners and teams for the planning and delivery of retail operations at events, working closely with the Event Department 

Lead on merchandise marketing, working closely with the SailGP marketing team, with a focus on using our merchandising to support broader SailGP growth objectives

Work closely with licensees, retail partners and teams for the global distribution of licensed and own-labeled merchandise 

Forecast, control and regularly report on all licensing and retail revenues 

Ensure the SailGP brand is appropriately used and tightly managed across licensees, retail partners / third party operators, at all times ensuring the product and experiences of the appropriate high quality 

Lead on the development of joint sponsorship and licensing opportunities, with a focus on key categories including lifestyle apparel, eyewear, footwear, technical apparel etc. to drive material revenue for SailGP and partnerships that support our growth

Work with wider Commercial team colleagues to further maximise licensing & retail opportunities and revenue e.g. the Head of Partnerships for sponsor premiums and gifting programmes; e.g. the Head of Ticketing for how licensing & retail can integrated across the customer ticketing journey 

Develop and deliver best in class SailGP licensing & retail case studies (brand and event focused) 

Maintain a thorough understanding of the licensing and retail marketplace, present industry trends, best practices etc. The Retail & Licensing Director will require a high level of analytical and insights experience

Ability to travel to SailGP events globally, delivering at event retail. Strong operational delivery experience is essential to oversee delivery of this program

Excellently manage the Retail and Licensing Team, with a minimum of two direct reports and opportunities to grow and build the team to maximise revenue over time

Other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the posts and the needs of SailGP

About You: 

Appreciation for accuracy and pays close attention to detail when handling key information

Proficient organisational, prioritisation, communication and administrative skills

Able to communicate confidently and adapt communication style according to the needs of the stakeholder

Able to work independently but values working collaboratively as part of a team

Works effectively and enjoys a fast-paced, start-up environment

Entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to exceed expectations

Comfortable working with multiple stakeholders across multiple departments (global & local)

Key Expectations: 

Champion an inclusive environment where diversity is valued

Advocate and promote SailGP Values and contribute to a positive culture - Deliver Quality, Break Boundaries, Make an Impact, Strike a Balance, Stand Together

Operate with a financially responsible mindset and strive for the commercial sustainability of SailGP

Consider how each team action contributes to Better Sport, Better Planet

Develop creative solutions that allow for quality work to be delivered

Drive collaboration and team work within the department and across the organization

Promote working practices that enable a healthy work life balance within the team and celebrate wellbeing 

Support out of the box thinking

Support teams with developmental goals and growth plans

Encourage the delivery of work that will leave an impact on the organization

Engage in high level thinking to drive the team and organization forward

Exercise key problem solving skills and serve as advisor to multiple areas of the business

Strategise constructively with key stakeholders and team managers

Able to see and work towards the bigger picture

Location:

SailGP HQ in London, United Kingdom. Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the London Office.

SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.