We have an exciting opportunity at Associated Independent Stores for a Managing Director to join our company. AIS is the UK and Ireland’s leading fashion, home and leisure buying and services group for independent retail, with a membership of 280 independent furniture stores, department stores and specialist retailers. We’re a membership of buying power, creativity and expertise!
As our Managing Director, you will direct and manage the company’s operations, demonstrating strategic guidance and direction to ensure the company achieves its mission and objectives.
We’re looking for someone who can build strong relationships with our Members and suppliers, and to lead on the development of expertise and services available to support the profitability of Member stores. You will be a motivational leader, guiding employees to further their objectives and drive productive ways of working, improve collaboration and enhance communication.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of AIS’s strategic direction, ensuring the business is future-focused, commercially strong and aligned to its mission and objectives.
- Work closely with the Chair, Board and Leadership Team to shape business priorities, manage risk and drive effective decision-making across the organisation.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Members, suppliers and industry partners, supporting buying power, profitability and long‑term value for independent retailers.
- Oversee the commercial, operational and financial performance of the business, ensuring budgets, systems, controls and reporting support sustainable growth and continuous improvement.
- Provide visible and inspiring leadership to the Leadership Team and wider business, fostering collaboration, engagement, accountability and a high‑performance culture.
- Represent AIS at key meetings, events and external forums.
- Ensure AIS operates responsibly and effectively, with appropriate governance, compliance, health and safety, financial oversight and statutory requirements in place.
Experience
- Senior leadership experience at Managing Director level, or equivalent, with a strong track record of leading teams, shaping strategy and delivering results in a commercial environment.
- Strong commercial, financial and business acumen, with the ability to set clear targets, manage performance and support sustainable growth.
- A good understanding of the retail sector, ideally including independent retailers, family‑run businesses or membership‑led organisations.
- Experience working with Boards, governance structures and senior stakeholders, supported by a relevant business or professional qualification.
- A proven ability to build strong relationships, balance strategic priorities and lead with confidence in a fast‑moving, customer‑focused environment.
Personal Attributes, Skills & Behaviours
- An excellent communicator and influencer. A natural people person who can liaise with a variety of people at every level and across a diverse membership base. Possess the ability to break down complex financial scenarios into simple language to ensure understanding.
- Strong ability to network across all internal departments and the 280 retail Members of our membership organisation where the output of this role has an indirect impact on their businesses.
- Ability to effectively communicate and lead others through periods of change.
- Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
- Possess a wide range of financial and technical skills. Commercially astute with a high level of analytical skills.
- Strategic thinking with strong project programme management and leadership skills.
- Passionate and focused about driving change and striving to influence positive change.
- Collaborative and customer centric.
- Self‑motivated and solution‑driven with a creative approach to problem solving.
- Pro‑active mindset, always looking to improve and influence others to do the same.
Benefits | Rewards | Wellbeing
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (in a full leave year, pro‑rata for part‑time employees)
- Opportunity to buy additional annual leave (up to 10 days per leave year)
- Birthday leave – no one should work on their birthday so have the day off on us!
- Company pension scheme
- Car allowance and the ability to participate in the company EV scheme
- Family healthcare
- Employee Wellbeing Scheme & Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Charity / volunteering Leave
- Free employee parking
- Onsite catering service (subsidised rate for employees)
- Access to discounts and staff sales
- Employee engagement calendar and activities throughout the year.
If you feel you have the skills and experience needed to become the Managing Director at AIS, then please click ‘apply’ today! We’d love to hear from you.
We are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies for this role.
