Lululemon

Who we are 

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

About this team

The Area Director role is responsible for developing a team of Regional Managers, overseeing all retail operations of a geographic area (e.g., region, country), and driving all aspects of store performance. Area Directors are responsible for coaching and developing people, and implementing business processes and procedures to ensure a consistent level of performance in lululemon stores. In addition, Area Directors contribute to the annual business plan and initiatives for the area, develop the area budget to meet financial and business objectives, and create and execute a real estate growth strategy.

A day in the life

Leadership and People Management:

• Create and foster a respectful and inclusive team environment and culture by welcoming and celebrating differences to ensure a positive and engaging experience for team members and guests.
• Build a strong and diverse team that includes team members with various experiences, backgrounds, and skillsets to drive store performance.
• Manage and grow dispersed Regional Managers and other retail leaders through regular check-ins, ongoing performance documentation, setting and holding people accountable to goals and targets, and cooperatively defining development opportunities and career paths.
• Share and enroll teams in lululemon's history, purpose, vision, core values, culture, and brand.
• Hold Regional Managers accountable for managing and developing the Store Managers in their region.

Working with Others:

• Collaborate with senior leaders and department heads to set company-wide operational priorities and strategies.
• Collaborate with regional and cross-functional partners to accomplish projects and initiatives (e.g., real estate plans, new store openings, policy or process updates).
• Serve as a member of cross-functional and/or geographically dispersed teams to support operational strategy or initiatives.

Business Strategy and Operations:

• Create, drive, and execute market growth strategy, including through periodic review and planning processes (e.g., quarterly business growth review and sales planning; plans for community, recruiting, people development, and real estate growth - store openings and closings, optimizing store footprints, identifying markets to test).
• Drive consistency in performance across lululemon stores by developing, introducing, and implementing additional business policies and procedures.
• Ensure financial goals are met by recognizing shortfalls and growth opportunities based on key store financial metrics and creating or implementing solutions.
• Stay connected to assigned area’s market composition (e.g., stores, factory outlets, pop-up/seasonal stores).
• Manage crises in close partnership with the Asset Protection team.
• Monitor key store financial metrics for area to evaluate and report on store performance against objectives.

Budget Responsibility: Accountable for Area (e.g. Region, Country) budget

People Management: Leadership role directly responsible for a number of Regional Managers (RMs)

What We Look For

• Inclusion & Diversity: Creates/supports an inclusive environment that values/celebrates differences
• Adaptability/Agility: Tolerates uncertainty and ambiguity and can change priorities in a fast-paced environment 
• Business Acumen: Is able to quickly understand and address business information (e.g., profit and loss statements, budgets and sales forecasts, retail strategy and approaches)
• Leadership: Is able and desires to lead, influence, and inspire others; motivates, empowers, develops, and directs people as they work
• Drive/Entrepreneurship: Takes initiative to ensure the success of the business and drives toward accomplishing big goals; is innovative and owns results
• Candid Communication: Is willing to openly/constructively share concerns (i.e. straight talk) and creates space for others to do the same
• Team Building: Creates and develops teams that maximize accomplishments; encourages unique contributions and different perspectives
• Strategic Thinking: Sets strategies that are aligned to vision and values of the company to achieve goals/vision/further the mission; considers the 'big picture' implications of decisions
• Change Management Leadership: Leads others through all phases of change processes and uncertainty
• Planning & Organizing: Is able to plan and organize work in a logical manner to ensure efficient completion

Eligibility:Legally eligible to work in the jurisdiction of our regional SSC office, or willing to work abroad if necessary.

Availability: Willing to work a flexible schedule.

Other Willingness Requirements:

• Willing to work as part of a team and also complete work independently or alone
• Willing to travel to retail locations to accomplish work, as needed and as requested
• Willing to be stationary (e.g., at a desk/computer) for more than an hour at a time

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Experience:

• 4+ years’ work experience in a leadership role for a group of stores and/or retail operations
• 10 years retail store and store operation experience

• Education: MBA or equivalent post graduate degree in business, marketing, retail, or related field
• Experience: Previous lululemon store management experience

Must haves

• Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results. 
• Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same. 
• Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure. 
• Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships. 
• Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take themselves too seriously.