Sr. Director, Sports Retail Operations

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

Location: Seattle/Woodinville, WA

• This role supports retail operations for the Seattle Kraken and requires onsite attendance at all Kraken home games and designated team events in Seattle. Outside of game days and event coverage, this position follows BDA’s hybrid work model, with 4 days per week onsite at our Woodinville, WA headquarters.

JOB SUMMARY

This role reports to the DVP of Operations. At BDA, we excel in transforming iconic brands by focusing on creating engaged consumers and devoted fans. The Senior Director of Retail Operations is a key leadership role responsible for managing and optimizing the operational performance of an omni channel retail strategy across the organization with a focus on our NHL and Sports Retail business.

This key leadership role encompasses developing and implementing comprehensive departmental strategic plans, including tactical and operational plans to achieve targeted revenue levels and drive business growth. You will ensure that all operational aspects are seamlessly integrated to support and enhance sales and service objectives, creating a premier customer and fan experience. In this role, your expertise in Sports Licensing, NHL and/or Sports Retail, strategic planning & execution, operational management, leadership and retail management will be pivotal in driving the success and profitability of the retail operations. Traveling to store locations will be required.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Sports Retail Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.


• 5-10 years of experience in sports retail operations, with at least 5 years in a senior management or director-level role supporting sales budgets of $15M+ annually.


• Proven track record of successfully managing Arena/Stadium retail, pop ups, webstores and brick and mortar multi-locations with omni channel retail operations.


• Strong leadership and large team management with proven success in motivating and developing a diverse and high performing team.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.


• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.


• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, forecast financial performance, and drive revenue growth with ownership of P&L is required.


• In-depth knowledge of retail trends, customer behaviors, and industry best practices.


• Familiarity with change management, digital transformation, point of sale (POS) systems, and e-commerce platforms.


• Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with C levels.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Strategy and Execution:

• Develop and execute operational strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of retail operations.


• Implement and monitor operational procedures and best practices to ensure consistency and high standards across all locations.


• Analyze and report on operational performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.


• Develop and implement retail strategies to drive sales growth and profitability.


• Analyze market trends and customer insights to inform operational decisions.


• Set and monitor performance metrics for retail operations, ensuring alignment with company goals.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of store managers and associates, e-commerce manager, Merchandisers, buyers to drive operational excellence and achieve performance goals.


• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance team skills and ensure alignment with company standards and expectations.


• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the retail operations team.

Business and Financial Responsibilities

• Develop and manage budgets for retail operations, ensuring effective cost control and maximizing profitability.


• Analyze financial reports and operational data to make informed decisions and drive revenue growth.


• Implement strategies to optimize sales performance, manage expenses, and achieve financial targets.


• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reviews and forecasts


• Work closely with executive and ownership on initiatives that significantly affect the budget of strategic objectives of the organization


• Monitor the financial performance of stores and implement corrective actions as needed.


• Conduct regular financial and operational audits to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Customer and Fan Experiences

• Comprehensive understanding of both in-arena dynamics and fostering a positive fan experience.


• Drive initiatives to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, ensuring consistently high-quality omni channel shopping experience.


• Monitor customer feedback and industry trends to identify opportunities for enhancing service levels and addressing customer needs.


• Develop and implement strategies to address any issues related to customer experience and satisfaction.

Operating Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the retail sales department, including planning, staffing and merchandising


• Work with retail managers and directors to identify opportunities for sales and business improvements


• Oversee inventory management processes, including stock levels, replenishment, and shrinkage control.


• Coordinate with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of products.


• Manage relationships with key vendors and suppliers to ensure quality and efficiency.


• Price merchandise to achieve planned margins


• Monitor item sales and issue timely markdowns to move slow selling merchandise


• Oversee daily operations across all retail locations, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.


• Implement best practices and standard operating procedures to improve store performance.


• Ensure all retail operations comply with company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements.


• Develop and implement risk management strategies to protect company assets and maintain operational integrity.


• Conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure adherence to operational standards and regulatory compliance.

Why this opportunity?
This is a rare opportunity to bring your retail operations leadership into the energy of professional sports. As the Sr. Director, Retail Operations supporting the Seattle Kraken, you’ll lead the strategy, execution, and day-to-day operations for retail locations, game-day merchandise, and special events connected to one of the NHL’s most exciting teams.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives where retail, fan experience, brand, and live events all come together. You’ll attend games, partner closely with team and venue stakeholders, and ensure every merchandise touchpoint reflects the excitement, quality, and pride of the Kraken brand. From arena retail operations to promotional products and event-based sales, your work will directly shape how fans experience and remember game day.

For the right leader, this is more than a retail operations role — it’s a chance to build high-performing teams, elevate fan engagement, and make a visible impact in a fast-paced, high-energy sports environment.

Why BDA?
BDA is a place where creativity, partnership, and customer care come together. For more than 40 years, we have helped some of the world’s most recognized brands create memorable experiences through branded merchandise, gifting, and custom programs. We are proud of the work we do, the relationships we build, and the people behind it all. At BDA, you will find a team that values collaboration, innovation, and a “get it done” mindset — while still making space for creativity, growth, and meaningful impact.

 Our Core Values:

• BDA is a Team and a Family


• Always Strive to Be The Best


• Entrepreneurial Spirit


• Tigger Attitude


• Work Hard, Play Hard


• Make It Happen the Best Way


• Total Client Affinity & Advocacy

 Want to learn more? So much to explore

• BDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bda_inc/


• Harper + Scott (a BDA company): https://www.harperandscott.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/harperandscott/


• swagup (a BDA company) end-to-end Merch Ecommerce site: https://www.swagup.com/


• Idea Planet (a BDA company): https://www.ideaplanetlp.com/about


• BDA Careers Page: https://www.bdainc.com/careers/


• LinkedIn – BDA page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdainc/

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We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $155,000 to $175,000 with 25% max bonus potential. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs, which includes: robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits; medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.