Assistant Director of Retail Operations - Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Purpose:The Assistant Director of Retail Operations at Seattle Tacoma International Airport partners with the Executive Director to drive retail performance, oversee daily operations, and ensure superior customer service. This role manages multi-unit retail operations, develops teams, and delivers on financial, compliance, and brand standards. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee day-to-day retail operations across multiple locations; act as second-in-command to the Senior Director. 

• Drive sales growth and profitability by monitoring KPIs, budgets, and operational metrics. 

• Lead, coach, and develop retail management teams to ensure high performance, engagement, and compliance. 

• Make hiring, promotion, and performance management decisions while supporting diversity and inclusion. 

• Ensure compliance with company policies, visual merchandising, safety, and operational standards. 

• Manage inventory control, supply chain coordination, vendor relations, and merchandise receiving. 

• Collaborate with brand partners, marketing, and supply chain teams to execute promotional initiatives. 

• Resolve complex customer and operational issues using sound judgment. 

• Monitor market trends and consumer behavior to inform operational strategies. 

• Maintain brand standards, visual merchandising, and superior customer experiences. 

Qualifications 

Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or related field (preferred). 

• 6–8 years of progressive retail operations experience, with at least 2+ years in multi-unit leadership roles. 

• Proven record managing P&L accountability, budgeting, and revenue growth for high-volume operations. 

• Experience in union and non-union environments; strong knowledge of labor relations and compliance. 

• Track record of hiring, training, and developing large retail teams with measurable performance improvements. 

• Hands-on experience with inventory management systems, retail compliance, and safety protocols. 

Technical Skills: 

• Expertise in retail operations, merchandising, loss prevention, and customer service standards. 

• Proficiency with retail software platforms (POS systems, workforce scheduling tools, ERP). 

• Advanced knowledge of financial reporting, forecasting, and KPI tracking. 

Competencies 

• Leadership & People Development – Ability to coach, mentor, and inspire diverse multi-unit teams. 

• Operational Excellence – Skilled at standardizing processes, improving efficiencies, and executing brand initiatives. 

• Financial Acumen – Strong P&L management, budgeting, and cost-control experience. 

• Customer Focus – Dedicated to delivering exceptional service and driving sales growth. 

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability – Analytical decision-maker who anticipates challenges and adjusts quickly. 

• Collaboration & Communication – Strong interpersonal skills; proven success working across teams and influencing stakeholders. 

• Results Driven – Consistently meets and exceeds performance goals in high-volume retail environments. 

Schedule & Reporting 

• Reports directly to the Senior Director of Retail Operations. 

• Acts as the primary operational decision-maker in the Senior Director’s absence. 

• Required to maintain a flexible schedule, including: 

• •  Early morning openings, peak trading hours, and late-night closings. 

• •  Weekend and holiday availability as dictated by retail business needs. 

• •  On-site presence across multiple store locations to provide leadership visibility and ensure operational standards. 

• Regular travel may be required to oversee store operations, conduct performance reviews, and attend leadership meetings.