Head of Digital Trading

Head of Digital Trading | Hybrid - West Midlands

Highly Competitive Basic, Car Allowance, PHC, Bonus, Pension, 30 Days Holiday

There are very few opportunities where you can genuinely own the commercial success of a major online retail business. This is one of them.

Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Digital Trading to take ownership of the online commercial P&L for a significant retail operation. This is a newly created, high-impact role sitting within the Senior Leadership Team, offering the opportunity to shape trading strategy, influence business direction and deliver meaningful commercial growth across a substantial digital channel.

This is a role for a proven online trading leader. Whether your current title is Head of Digital Trading, Head of eCommerce, Head of Online Trading or Senior Ecommerce Manager ready for the next step, you'll already have a demonstrable track record of growing online sales, increasing profitability and making commercially astute decisions in a fast-paced retail environment.

More importantly, you'll be the type of leader who thrives in a matrix organisation. Someone who enjoys accountability, builds credibility through collaboration and has the emotional intelligence to become a trusted commercial sparring partner to the wider Senior Leadership Team. You'll combine strategic thinking with hands-on commercial delivery, influencing across Marketing, Digital, Technology, Category Management and Operations to ensure the online channel performs at its full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the commercial P&L for the online retail channel, driving sustainable sales, margin, profitability and long-term value.

• Develop and execute the digital trading strategy, ensuring every commercial decision contributes to profitable growth.

• Lead all aspects of online trading including pricing, promotions, merchandising, conversion optimisation, assortment and seasonal trading.

• Partner with Category, Marketing, Digital, Technology and Operations teams to align business priorities and maximise commercial performance.

• Identify opportunities through customer insight, trading data and market analysis to accelerate growth and improve profitability.

• Continually optimise the online customer journey, increasing conversion, basket value and customer lifetime value.

• Influence strategic investment decisions using commercial insight, performance analysis and market trends.

• Build alignment across a complex matrix organisation, bringing multiple stakeholders together behind shared commercial objectives.

• Develop a high-performing digital trading function, embedding pace, accountability and continuous improvement.

• Contribute as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing commercial challenge, strategic thinking and informed decision-making.

Key Requirements

The successful Head of Digital Trading will have a proven track record of owning and growing a significant online trading operation within retail or another consumer-facing business.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading online trading, digital trading or ecommerce functions with direct accountability for commercial performance.

• A demonstrable history of delivering profitable online sales growth through exceptional trading leadership.

• Deep expertise across digital trading, ecommerce, online merchandising, pricing, promotional planning and commercial optimisation.

• Experience owning or influencing an online P&L with a relentless focus on commercial outcomes.

• The ability to operate confidently within a complex matrix environment, influencing senior stakeholders through credibility rather than hierarchy.

• Exceptional commercial acumen, balancing strategic vision with operational excellence.

• High emotional intelligence, enabling you to build trusted relationships and become a valued commercial partner across the business.

• Strong analytical capability, using data and insight to identify opportunities and support commercial decision-making.

• A collaborative leadership style, coupled with the resilience to thrive in a high-accountability, fast-paced retail environment.

If you're an ambitious Head of Digital Trading looking for the opportunity to own a major online trading operation and make a genuine commercial impact, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.

BH36923