Head of Sales & Brand Development

Head of Sales & Brand Development
Premium & Contemporary Fashion | Womens Ready-to-Wear & Activewear
Location: Central London – Office-based
Territory: UK & Europe
Employment: Full-time, Permanent
Excellent Salary + Bonus and other perks.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven Head of Sales & Brand Development to lead the UK and European wholesale expansion and brand development of an internationally recognised luxury womenswear fashion label across ready-to-wear and activewear.
Working closely with senior leadership, you will help shape and execute the commercial strategy, develop retail distribution, drive wholesale sales and coordinate the brand's go-to-market activities.
The business is evolving its positioning to reach a broader customer base, spanning premium, contemporary and accessible branded-fashion markets, while maintaining the brand's identity and appeal.
We are looking for someone who can combine strategic commercial thinking with genuine hands-on execution — an individual who enjoys opening doors, building relationships, creating opportunities and personally securing business.
Key Responsibilities
Wholesale Sales & Business Development
* Lead the development of wholesale sales across the UK and Europe, with particular emphasis on expanding European distribution.
* Personally identify, approach and secure new retail accounts, building direct relationships with senior buyers and key decision-makers.
* Develop business with department stores, premium fashion retailers, online platforms and relevant multi-brand retailers.
* Target accounts such as Zalando, About You, ASOS, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Peek & Cloppenburg, Breuninger and comparable UK and European retailers.
* Develop seasonal sales plans, manage sales pipelines, secure orders and build a sustainable wholesale order book.
* Identify opportunities across different retail tiers, from selected premium and luxury retailers to broader contemporary and accessible branded-fashion channels.
* Negotiate pricing, margins, commercial terms and distribution agreements.
* Develop creative commercial solutions, including retailer-specific product opportunities and tailored assortments where appropriate.
* Build and manage relationships with agents, distributors and international wholesale partners.
* Take personal ownership of new business development while maintaining and growing existing customer relationships.
Commercial Strategy & Brand Growth
* Work closely with senior leadership to develop and execute the brand's UK and European commercial growth strategy.
* Identify opportunities to expand distribution, increase brand visibility and build profitable sales.
* Develop appropriate routes to market, customer segmentation and distribution strategies.
* Contribute to product positioning, pricing architecture and assortment planning across different retail channels.
* Provide market intelligence on competitors, retail trends, customer requirements and emerging commercial opportunities.
* Collaborate with design, product development and merchandising teams to ensure collections are commercially relevant and aligned with market demand.
* Establish sales targets, forecasts, seasonal order plans and commercial performance measures.
* Balance commercial growth with the long-term positioning and integrity of the brand.
Brand Development & Go-to-Market
* Lead and coordinate the execution of seasonal go-to-market plans for ready-to-wear and activewear collections.
* Work closely with senior leadership, brand owners and external partners to ensure alignment on brand positioning and commercial objectives.
* Coordinate collection launches, wholesale presentations, retailer engagement and associated marketing activities.
* Work with PR agencies, marketing teams and relevant fashion publications to support brand awareness and market positioning.
* Develop relationships with premium and luxury fashion retailers, understanding their expectations and commercial requirements.
* Ensure brand communication, product presentation and marketing activities support the wider wholesale sales strategy.
* Coordinate internal teams and external partners to deliver agreed launch plans and commercial deadlines.
* Support the development of a consistent brand identity across multiple retail channels and price points.
What We Are Looking For
Essential Experience
* Strong wholesale sales and commercial experience within premium, contemporary or internationally recognised branded fashion.
* Relevant experience in ready-to-wear, womenswear, activewear or closely related apparel categories.
* A proven track record of personally opening new wholesale accounts, negotiating commercial agreements and generating significant sales.
* Established relationships with key UK and European fashion retailers, particularly department stores, online platforms and multi-brand retailers.
* Experience developing new or growing brands, rather than solely managing established customer bases.
* Strong understanding of the European wholesale fashion market, retail distribution and commercial pricing structures.
* Experience developing seasonal sales plans, managing order books and delivering commercial targets.
* Good understanding of brand positioning, product development and go-to-market execution.
* Ability to engage confidently with premium and luxury fashion buyers while understanding the commercial requirements of broader retail channels.
* A proactive, entrepreneurial and hands-on approach, with the determination to develop opportunities and deliver results.
Highly Desirable
* Experience working with internationally recognised fashion brands, licensed brands or brand management businesses.
* Strong relationships with European retailers including Zalando, About You, Peek & Cloppenburg, Breuninger and similar accounts.
* Experience developing ready-to-wear and activewear distribution across multiple price points and customer segments.
* Experience coordinating brand launches, PR agencies, marketing activities and external brand partners.
* Knowledge of premium and luxury fashion publications, brand communication and retailer engagement.
* Experience working with international agents and distributors.
* Exposure to both commercial brand development and direct wholesale sales leadership.
The Person
We are particularly interested in individuals who enjoy the challenge of building a business and creating commercial opportunities.
You will be someone who:
* Is passionate about fashion, product and brand development, with strong commercial instincts.
* Enjoys being directly involved in sales, meeting buyers, negotiating deals and winning new accounts.
* Can develop a compelling commercial proposition even when a brand is still establishing its distribution and customer base.
* Is resilient, resourceful and persistent in finding ways to create business.
* Understands how to balance brand positioning with the commercial realities of different retail markets.
* Can work comfortably with senior leadership, brand owners, buyers, designers, PR agencies and marketing teams.
* Thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment where initiative and accountability are valued.
* Is equally comfortable developing strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute it.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to make a genuine commercial impact within an established international business that is investing in the growth of its fashion portfolio.
You will have the opportunity to:
* Work with an internationally recognised fashion label with strong brand heritage.
* Play a central role in developing its UK and European wholesale business.
* Influence the brand's commercial direction, distribution strategy and market positioning.
* Work closely with an experienced, approachable and entrepreneurial senior leadership team.
* Contribu