VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL

Job Description

Job Description

Vice President of RetailExecutive Opportunity Profile

Easterseals Goodwill North Dakota Location:  Fargo, North Dakota Reports to:  President & CEO

Starting Base Salary: $140,000–$160,000

Annual Performance Incentive:  Up to 15% of annual base salary

Executive Benefits:  Comprehensive benefits package, relocation assistance, and company vehicle

Scope:  Statewide North Dakota retail enterprise plus two Minnesota service-area carve-outs

An Opportunity to Build What Comes Next

Easterseals Goodwill North Dakota is seeking an exceptional retail executive to lead our donated-goods enterprise into its next era of growth.

In 2027, ESGWND will celebrate 80 years of service , and we are entering this milestone year focused firmly on the future. We are strengthening our systems and infrastructure, expanding retail and e-commerce, evaluating new markets, and positioning the organization for significant long-term growth.

Our ambition is substantial: we are building an organization capable of doubling in size.

We are looking for a Vice President of Retail who is excited by that opportunity—not simply someone who wants to manage an established retail operation, but a leader who wants to help build the next version of one.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Retail will lead ESGWND’s entire donated-goods retail enterprise across North Dakota and our two Minnesota service-area carve-outs.

The portfolio includes stores, e-commerce, donations, merchandising and production, warehouse operations, transportation and logistics, asset protection, operational systems, leadership development, and future store expansion.

This is both a strategic and hands-on operating role .

We need someone who can envision where our retail enterprise should be three to five years from now—and who is equally comfortable walking into a store tomorrow, identifying what is not working, solving problems alongside the team, and building systems that work consistently across the organization.

Build. Standardize. Grow.

The work ahead includes:

• Strengthening store productivity and grow profitability
• Establishing consistent statewide operating standards and SOPs
• Improving merchandising, production, transportation, and warehouse operations
• Expanding e-commerce
• Developing strong retail leaders 
• Building accountability and KPI-driven management systems
• Evaluating new markets and store opportunities
• Creating a repeatable model for successful expansion

This leader will not inherit a finished system. You will help build it.

 

Who We Are Looking For

We are conducting a broad search for a proven retail leader who knows how to turn strategy into execution.

The right person understands that exceptional operations are built through people, process, accountability, data, and disciplined execution.

We are particularly interested in leaders with experience in multi-location retail; donated-goods, thrift, resale, or another complex retail environment; store expansion; e-commerce; merchandising; logistics and warehousing; financial and KPI-driven management; SOP development; and leadership development.

Experience with EOS or a similar operating system—including accountability charts, Rocks, scorecards, measurable priorities, and clear ownership—is highly valued.

Lead Across North Dakota—Build from Fargo

We are looking for a leader who will ideally live in the Fargo area and become part of the community we serve.  The Vice President will travel regularly throughout North Dakota and our Minnesota service area and should enjoy being in stores, developing managers, understanding markets firsthand, solving problems, and building relationships.

Why North Dakota?

North Dakota offers something increasingly difficult to find: meaningful career opportunity paired with an affordable, family-friendly quality of life.

U.S. News & World Report ranked North Dakota the #4 Best State in America in its 2026 Best States rankings , including #2 for employment, #3 for fiscal stability, and #7 for infrastructure . The state also ranked #2 nationally for lowest housing costs  in WalletHub’s 2026 analysis.

Fargo—the home base for this position—has been recognized among Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live . The community combines many of the amenities of a larger metropolitan area with strong schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, major healthcare systems and universities, a growing business community, arts and entertainment, and an accessible cost of living.

For those who love the outdoors, four distinct seasons offer opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, and exploring wide-open spaces —with Minnesota lake country just a short drive from Fargo.

Perhaps most importantly, North Dakota is a place where your leadership can make a visible impact.  You can build an executive career, become part of a community, raise a family, enjoy the outdoors, and see firsthand the difference your work makes.

 

For the right person, moving to North Dakota isn’t simply a relocation—it’s an opportunity to build

an exceptional career and an exceptional life.

What Success Looks Like

Success will be measurable through revenue growth, expense control, store productivity, donations and production, customer experience, employee engagement, safety and compliance, leadership development, and consistent execution of operating standards.

But the larger measure of success will be what this leader helps ESGWND become.

We want to build a retail enterprise with exceptional stores, strong leaders, disciplined operations, growing e-commerce capabilities, scalable infrastructure, and a thoughtful expansion strategy.

We want someone who can take what works in one location and turn it into a system that works everywhere.

 

Competitive Executive Compensation

Starting Base Salary: $140,000–$160,000, based on experience and qualifications.

The Vice President of Retail is also eligible to earn an annual performance incentive bonus of up to 15% of annual base salary , based on achievement of established organizational and individual performance goals. The executive package includes relocation assistance, a company vehicle, comprehensive employee benefits, and significant professional growth and leadership opportunities.

 

Why This Role Matters

Retail is more than a revenue stream at Easterseals Goodwill North Dakota.

It is an economic engine for our mission.

The success of our retail enterprise helps create opportunities and support services for people with disabilities and others facing barriers to independence.

That means the person leading retail has an opportunity to deliver both strong business results and meaningful community impact.

 

Why Now?

ESGWND is approaching its 80th anniversary in 2027  while simultaneously looking forward.

We are launching a new strategic planning process, strengthening systems and infrastructure, growing e-commerce, evaluating future store opportunities, and thinking intentionally about what ESGWND should become over the next three, five, and ten years.

We have significant opportunity ahead—and significant work to do.

For the right leader, that is exactly what makes this opportunity exciting.

 

Our Mission

Creating independence.  

Our Vision

A world where every person has the opportunity to live independently and reach their full potential.

Our Core Values

People First | Integrity | Innovation

 

Are You the Leader We’re Looking For?

We are looking for someone who sees growth where others see complexity. Someone who can think strategically and operate practically. Someone who can build systems without losing sight of people. Someone who understands both the numbers and the mission.

Most importantly, we want someone who truly believes in what we do —a leader who believes business can be a force for good and who wants to be part of something bigger than another executive position.

If you want to build something extraordinary, grow an organization, develop great people, and use your leadership to make a difference in the world, we want to hear from you.

 

Ready to Apply?

Please send your cover letter and resume  to our President & CEO, Dr. Mary Van Haneghan , at

View email address on us.fitly.work .

Please use “VP of Retail Application”  in the subject line.

The position will remain open until filled , with applications strongly encouraged by October 5, 2026 . We look forward to hearing from you!