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