Head of UK Marketplace

International. Lovers of sports. Team players. Stronger together through our love of sports.

At Decathlon UK, we are driven by our mission to move people through the wonders of sports. We are a part of the DECATHLON Group, one of the world’s biggest sports brands.

The job: 

As our Head of Marketplace, you will lead the Marketplace initiative, supporting our country's objectives of expanding market share and attracting new customers. Your primary focus will be on nurturing our marketplace ecosystem and driving growth by overseeing business development, seller onboarding, account management, and customer service.

You'll be responsible for managing a team of 13 individuals (6 in the UK, 7 offshore) and overseeing the financial performance of the Marketplace. In essence, you'll act as a general manager, collaborating closely with peers in other countries and our central team in Belgium to develop and enhance the Marketplace.

The ideal candidate will excel in a dynamic environment, demonstrating proficiency in financial management and team leadership, while prioritizing data-driven decision-making and active involvement with their team.

Responsibilities: 

Strategic Marketplace Leadership:

1. Develop and execute the UK marketplace strategy to increase the topline, grow market share and attract new customers in the process.

2. Conduct in-depth market analysis to understand trends, identify growth opportunities, and anticipate challenges, adjusting strategies accordingly.

3. Foster long-term relationships with internal and external partners, ensuring alignment with Decathlon’s values and commercial objectives.

4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to co-create and optimize the marketplace offer, enhancing Decathlon’s product diversity and competitiveness.

5. Define and execute financial strategies to achieve ambitious economic targets, conducting regular performance analyses to adjust and refine approaches as necessary.

6. Lead change management efforts to cultivate a marketplace-centric mindset across Decathlon, acting as a key ambassador for the platform both internally and externally.

Team Development and Management:

1. Build and lead a high-performing team tailored to the strategic needs of the UK Marketplace, ensuring skill development and career progression.

2. Champion Decathlon’s culture and values, provide leadership that encourages responsibility, autonomy, and a passion for excellence.

3. Oversee recruitment and training processes, aligning team structure and competencies with marketplace objectives and Decathlon’s North Star.

Operational Excellence and Innovation:

1. Implement systems and processes to monitor and enhance marketplace performance, focusing on customer satisfaction, partner NPS, and sustainable growth metrics.

2. Leverage data analytics to inform decision-making, drive business model innovations, and optimize the marketplace ecosystem for scalability and sustainability.

3. Ensure adherence to legal, fiscal, and quality standards, fostering a transparent and compliant marketplace environment.

4. Embed sustainability at the core of marketplace operations, promoting initiatives that support Decathlon’s commitment to environmental responsibility and circular economy models.

5. Advocate for ethical practices and transparency in all marketplace activities, from partner selection to product offerings and customer interactions.

About you:

1. Passionate about sports and embodying Decathlon’s mission to move people through the wonders of sports.

2. A dynamic leader with a deep understanding of digital marketplaces and e-commerce strategies.

3. Proven track record in leading digital transformation initiatives, with significant experience in marketplace management or related fields.

4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of inspiring and motivating teams towards achieving collective goals.

5. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a results-driven approach to business challenges.

Specific requirements/Work environment:

This is a hybrid role and would require the successful candidate to attend at least three days a week in our Office in London (Surrey Quays)

Benefits that await you 

Get to enjoy the following benefits and perks:

1. Hybrid working 

2. Healthy employee discount on all Decathlon products

3. Weekly Staff Sports/Activities and free access to our office gym

4. Cycle-to-Work Scheme

5. Access to private healthcare

6. Gym, food, and travel discounts 

… and many more

ABOUT DECATHLON 

Headquartered in France, DECATHLON specializes in the creation of sports products and their distribution online and in stores at more than 1,700 locations in 61 countries. In the UK, it has over 50 stores nationwide and an e-commerce site that caters to nationwide delivery. Today, Decathletes across the world come to work to move people through the wonders of sports. 

Decathlon is dedicated to helping, inspiring and guiding you through your sports experiences. We believe that discovering new sports and being sporty – well, it’s an important part of life – and living well shouldn’t just be for a privileged few.