Sr Director International Retail Operations

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. With new stores coming online on a continual basis and the re-engineering of existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences, we’re not just growing, we’re thriving. Through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to reimagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE 

The role of Sr Director, International Retail Operations is a strategic leader responsible for working alongside our international partners to ensure the correct translation of the Ulta Beauty brand in stores in a way that is locally relevant for each market. As such, this role serves as the steward for the international execution of our Ulta Beauty market-specific store design guidelines, visual merchandising guidelines and processes, as well as the adaptation of our in-store operations and best practices.

This individual reports directly to our Chief Retail Officer and works in a matrixed organization with a dotted line to the VP, Head of International. This Sr Director serves as a key partner to international market operating partners as well as internally across Retail Operations, ensuring that the Ulta Beauty vision set across Visual Merchandising, Store Design, and In-Store Experience, comes across globally. This role will work cross-functionally to support partner execution and to build enduring international capabilities.

This leader plays a critical role in enabling global growth by adapting US Retail Operations capabilities for international application and establishing governance to ensure partner compliance, ultimately ensuring correct in-store expression and experience across markets.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

The Sr. Director, International Retail Operations is a champion of Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values, and should demonstrate them skillfully and consistently through the following (as well as all other projects/duties as assigned):

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Stewardship of Ulta Beauty’s brand in-store execution across international markets by ensuring store design guidelines, visual merchandising expressions and in-store experience best practices are appropriately leveraged, protected, and deployed. Maintain consistency in in-store expression across all international partner activations, while balancing local relevance.
• Develop clear briefing, approval, and performance review workflows to support international Retail Operations consistency and scalability across areas.
• Serve as the primary Retail Operations approver for functional plans. Establish and enforce governance frameworks that balance brand protection with local flexibility.
• Provide ongoing visibility into International Retail Operations initiatives to the Chief Retail Officer and the VP, Head of International, seeking guidance and alignment on strategic decisions as needed.
• Appropriately cascade global Retail Operations initiatives to be deployed locally, as applicable and appropriate based on region.
• Demonstrate strong executive presence, influence senior stakeholders, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence across international partnerships.
• Act as a global UB brand ambassador, balancing enterprise Retail Operations strategy with cultural nuance and local market realities.
• Manages and collaborates with a team of Retail Operations experts across areas of focus within the function.

Store Design & Visual Merchandising:

• Partner cross-functionally with the Store Design and Visual Merchandising teams to ensure the global and regional vision for the store experience is adhered to across markets
• Act as a key conduit to provide necessary approvals and support project reviews. This leader will be responsible for surfacing special design needs for the Store Design team to design and develop, whether within prototypical formats or unique conditions
• Promote market compliance via the enactment of necessary partner training, guideline applications, timeline development, and execution plans as required to ensure consistent market execution aligned to Store Design, Visual Merchandising, and overall retail experience strategic visions

In-store experience

• Lead onboarding experience by coordinating with US partners initial training of international field leaders across new store setup and store operations, including training on brand culture, identity and experience
• Share relevant training materials, including frameworks, calendars, and documents that partners can adapt to support local operations
• Ensure initial in-market support of new store setup
• Establish and track performance measurement metrics to assess international operations at the store and regional level. Identify and share opportunities to optimize processes, enhance collaboration, and improve speed-to-market
• Periodically provide in-market guidance to support operational excellence

THE ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESS 

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience required
• Experience in a multi-unit retail company required
• Experience translating and ensuring in-store experience across partner markets (whether franchised, JV, licensing) highly preferred  
• International experience preferred
• Strong partnership capability across functions and potential partners; ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Demonstrated persistence in overcoming obstacles, surfacing and solving problems
• Demonstrated ability to lead in matrixed, cross-functional organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong executive presence.
• Travel required.

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At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.