Retail Operations Manager

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

The Retail Operations Manager will own the successful launch, growth, and ongoing performance of Fanatics Collectibles’ physical retail presence in the local market. This role combines store operations leadership with local marketing and community activation, acting as the single on-the-ground owner for both execution and demand generation.

You will be the primary local interface between store teams, central Agile and marketing functions, logistics, and athlete partnerships—ensuring global strategy is executed to the highest standard while being culturally and commercially relevant locally.

This is a senior, hands-on role requiring strong retail judgment, local market fluency, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Store Launch & Operational Excellence

• Field lead operational planning and execution for new store openings
• Work closely with central Agile teams to manage timelines, priorities, and local requirements
• Ensure stores operate in line with Fanatics flagship standards (e.g. Regent Street)
• Conduct regular store visits, producing structured reports, scoring, and feedback
• Partner with VM teams to ensure merchandising and presentation standards are met
• Liaise with logistics teams central and local on forecasting, inventory readiness, and launch quantities
• Ensure compliance with local retail regulations and operating norms

Local Marketing & Commercial Activation

• Own the local commercial and marketing calendar
• Localize global campaigns, messaging, and in-store POS for cultural relevance
• Manage local-language content and materials for stores and activations
• Drive footfall through store launches, events, and local promotions
• Support athlete appearances, VIP visits, and special events in-store
• Support with store social channels (Instagram) locally curated content and direction
• Management of store CRM data

Events, Community & Partnerships

• Plan and execute in-store events and activations in partnership with central teams
• Act as the local representative for Fanatics Collectibles at key moments
• Build relationships within the local sports, collectibles, and hobby communities
• Liaise with athlete partnerships and relevant local stakeholders
• Advise on key local opportunities and initiatives that can potentialize revenues and engagement

Cross-Functional Leadership & Reporting

• Act as the primary local point of contact for HQ teams (operations, marketing, logistics)
• Provide clear feedback on performance, challenges, and market-specific insights
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, standards, and local execution
• Support training and onboarding of store teams during launch and steady state
• Ensure all commercial product pricing and launch strategy controls centrally is communicated and adhered to locally

Requirements:

• Proven experience across retail operations, store management, or retail marketing
• Experience supporting store openings, launches, or market expansion
• Strong operational discipline with commercial and marketing instinct
• Highly organized, hands-on, and comfortable owning ambiguity
• Fluent in local language (German or French) and English
• Strong passion for sport; interest in collectibles highly preferred
• Comfortable representing the brand with VIPs, athletes, and partners

What Success Looks Like:

• Stores launch smoothly and operate to flagship-level standards
• Local marketing drives strong awareness, footfall, and engagement
• Events and activations are well executed and commercially impactful
• HQ teams trust this role as the definitive “local voice”
• Fanatics Collectibles becomes embedded in the local sports and collector community

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Subject to applicable laws, Fanatics Collectibles may choose to run a background check.

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