Athleta Head of Stores, Athleta

About The Role The Head of Stores for Athleta leads the brand's retail organization across North America, driving exceptional store performance, customer experience, and operational excellence. This role is pivotal in delivering on Athleta's purpose of inspiring women and girls to build confidence, strength, and belonging through movement. Reporting directly to the Athleta Brand President & CEO, the Head of Stores is a key member of the Athleta Leadership Team and oversees Field Leadership, Store Operations, and Visual Merchandising. This leader champions an elevated, purpose‑driven store experience that brings Athleta's mission to life‑uniting performance and lifestyle through product, community, and connection. The Head of Stores builds and inspires a high‑performing field team that leads with heart, acts with agility, and performs with accountability. By cultivating a culture grounded in inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration, this leader drives profitable growth, operational excellence, and a seamless brand experience across every store. Salary Range: $330,000 - $370,000 USD. Employee pay will vary based on qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or the minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements. Responsibilities Lead and evolve a customer‑obsessed store strategy that fosters belonging, confidence, and connection for women and girls. In partnership with Head of Digital, develop and execute a multi‑year strategy for omni‑channel growth aligned with Athleta's long‑range brand plan. Lead key strategic initiatives that modernize the store and omni‑channel customer journey, champion customer experience innovation, transform the retail environment and strengthen Athleta's position as a purpose‑driven performance lifestyle brand. Drive an integrated store strategy that aligns business priorities, operational excellence, and customer experience through influential partnership across Real Estate, Sourcing, Service, WFM, Tech, Visual Merch, etc. Ensure operational excellence and brand consistency across all stores, leveraging data and feedback to continuously enhance the in‑store experience and exceed customer expectations. Develop innovative in‑store experiences that inspire movement and community, creating meaningful connections that extend beyond transactions. Drive a high‑performance culture that celebrates inclusivity, accountability, and motivates and inspires teams to deliver beyond expected results. Champion continuous improvement and innovation in store operations, leveraging technology, insights, and best practices to optimize performance. Influence product, marketing, and brand strategy to meet the needs of the customer and omni business. Build and sustain a strong, diverse, and inspired field organization through intentional leadership, mentorship, and succession planning. Collaborate across the Athleta and Gap Inc. ecosystem to ensure that the right tools, processes, and resources are in place to enable success. Measure and assess the impact of major initiatives, adapting as needed to deliver sustainable results. Qualifications 15+ years of progressive field and retail leadership experience in high‑performance, multi‑unit environments. Proven ability to connect operational excellence with brand purpose and customer experience. Demonstrated success leading transformation and driving results in complex, fast‑paced settings. Deep understanding of customer behaviors and passion for delivering human, holistic, and inspiring omni‑channel experiences through retail. Experience developing diverse, high‑performing teams through coaching, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. Strong ability to build alignment and trust across cross‑functional and corporate partners. Openness to feedback, curiosity about new ideas, and ability to translate insights into action. Willingness to travel and work across varied schedules to meet the needs of a dynamic retail business. Benefits Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular‑priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees. One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry. Employees can take up to five "on the clock" hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee's base pay. Employee stock purchase plan. Medical, dental, vision and life insurance. See more of the benefits we offer. Equal Opportunity Gap Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long‑held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity. #J-18808-Ljbffr SupportFinity™