Sr. Director, Sports Retail Operations

This role reports to the DVP of Operations. At BDA, we transform iconic brands by creating engaged consumers and devoted fans. The Senior Director, Sports Retail Operations is a key leadership role responsible for the strategy, execution, and financial performance of a high-volume, omni-channel sports retail business, with a primary focus on NHL and professional sports retail . This role is designed for an experienced professional sports retail operator who understands the pace and complexity of live-event commerce. The ideal leader has directly managed in-arena merchandise operations where significant sales volume occurs in short game-day windows, inventory must be replenished in real time, and retail environments must rapidly reset between games and events. This leader will oversee operational strategy, game-day execution, inventory and merchandising performance, staffing, fan experience, e-commerce integration, and P&L performance across the retail organizatio n. WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE DIFFER ENTThis is not a traditional retail leadership role. Success requires firsthand experience operating high-velocity, event-driven professional sports retail. The leader must be comfortable with back-to-back games and events, rapid merchandise and store resets, event-specific inventory allocation, real-time replenishment, large event-based teams, and the pressure of maximizing revenue during short, high-traffic selling windo ws. Experience Requirem entsBachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sports Retail Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree prefer red.5–10+ years of progressive sports retail operations experience, including at least 5 years in senior management or director-level leaders hip.Direct experience leading high-volume in-arena merchandise retail for an NHL and/or NBA organization, or through a retail operator supporting an NHL/NBA property, is requi red.Proven success managing event-driven retail environments with compressed selling windows, significant game-day traffic, and rapid operational resets between games and eve nts.Hands-on experience leading game/event flips, including merchandise changeovers, inventory reallocation, signage or visual resets, staffing adjustments, and readiness for back-to-back eve nts.Proven track record managing arena/stadium retail, team stores, kiosks/pop-ups, e-commerce/webstores, and/or multi-location brick-and-mortar operations within an omni-channel mo del.Experience leading retail operations supporting $10M+ in annual sales, with demonstrated ownership of revenue, margin, labor, inventory, forecasting, budgets, and P&L performa nce.Deep understanding of game-day inventory planning, real-time replenishment, sell-through, shrink control, markdown strategy, and demand shifts tied to team performance, playoffs, championships, launches, and special eve nts.Strong leadership experience managing store leaders, merchandise/buying teams, warehouse or inventory functions, e-commerce partners, and large event-based or seasonal workfor ces.Demonstrated ability to use POS, inventory, financial, and customer data to make fast operational decisions and improve sales performance and fan experie nce.Strong executive presence, communication, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence C-level leaders, team/venue partners, vendors, and cross-functional te ams. Duties & Responsibil ivitiesHIGH-VELOCITY GAME-DAY & EVENT OPERA IONSOwn the end-to-end operational strategy and execution for high-volume in-arena retail across games, concerts, special events, and other venue activat ions.Lead operational readiness for game days and back-to-back events, ensuring stores, kiosks, inventory, staffing, POS, signage, and visual presentation are ready for each e vent.Direct rapid game/event flips, including merchandise and branding resets, inventory reallocation, replenishment planning, and staffing changes required between ev ents.Establish game-day operating rhythms that maximize transaction speed, product availability, conversion, and revenue during short, high-traffic selling win dows.Identify operational risks before and during events and make fast, data-informed decisions to protect revenue and fan experi ence.RETAIL STRATEGY, MERCHANDISING & INVE NTORYDevelop and execute retail strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, and a premium fan experience across in-arena, brick-and-mortar, pop-up, and digital chan nels.Oversee inventory planning, allocation, stock levels, replenishment, transfers, shrink, and sell-through across all retail points of sale.Partner with merchandising, buying, sourcing, and supply chain teams to ensure the right product is in the right location at the right time.Plan for demand spikes tied to rivalry games, playoffs, championships, player milestones, product launches, promotions, and special ev ents.Monitor item performance and execute timely pricing, allocation, replenishment, and markdown decisions to maximize margin and inventory producti vity.BUSINESS & FINANCIAL LEADE RSHIPOwn and manage retail budgets, forecasts, P&L performance, labor planning, margins, expenses, and revenue tar gets.Analyze financial, POS, inventory, and operational data to identify opportunities, address performance gaps, and drive profitable gr owth.Establish and monitor KPIs for sales, conversion, units per transaction, labor productivity, inventory accuracy, sell-through, shrink, and other key retail performance meas ures.Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reviews and forecasts and communicate results and action plans to executive leader ship.Work closely with executive leadership and key partners on initiatives that materially affect revenue, profitability, customer experience, and strategic object ives.TEAM LEADERSHIP & WORKFORCE EXEC UTIONLead, mentor, and develop retail leaders and cross-functional teams, including store managers, associates, e-commerce, merchandising, buying, inventory/warehouse, and event-based s taff.Build scalable staffing models that account for event calendars, anticipated attendance, traffic patterns, selling windows, and business priori ties.Create clear operating standards, training, accountability, and communication practices that support consistent execution across all locations and ev ents.Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture that thrives in a fast-paced, changing, event-driven environ ment.FAN EXPERIENCE & OMNI-CHANNEL OPERA TIONSDeliver a seamless and high-quality fan shopping experience across in-arena retail, team stores, pop-ups, e-commerce, and other omni-channel touchpo ints.Understand in-arena fan traffic and shopping behavior and use those insights to improve store placement, product availability, staffing, queue management, and ser vice.Monitor customer feedback, retail trends, and venue performance to identify opportunities to improve service, loyalty, and rev enue.Partner across digital, e-commerce, marketing, venue, and team stakeholders to create a connected fan experience before, during, and after ev ents.OPERATING EXCELLENCE, PARTNERSHIPS & COMPL IANCEDevelop and implement operating procedures and best practices to ensure consistent execution and high standards across all retail locat ions.Manage relationships with key vendors, suppliers, venue partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure quality, speed, efficiency, and accountabi lity.Coordinate with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely and cost-effective product flow and event readi ness.Ensure retail operations comply with company policies, industry regulations, legal requirements, cash-handling standards, and loss-prevention pract ices.Conduct regular operational and financial reviews and implement corrective actions as ne #J-18808-Ljbffr