JOB SUMMARY

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

itiesHIGH-VELOCITY GAME-DAY & EVENT OPERA

• TIONSOwn 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

eded.