Vice President of Store Operations

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300 brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

Overview

This person will help guide and develop the strategic growth of Lids. This person will carry out the operational strategic initiatives driven by the Executive Vice President of Operations and other members of senior leadership.

Primary responsibilities will focus on the business functions that directly support our store operations, including, but not limited to:

• Store Operations Leadership
• Store Operations Business Functions
• Customization and Personalization Business

Additionally, this person will work indirectly with several operations business partners, including real estate, the shop-in-shop operating models, e-commerce operations, loss prevention as well other departments throughout the organization (IT, finance, merchandising). As a jack-of-all trades, this individual will play a key role in expanding Lids’ footprint and consumer experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all aspects of Store Operations, with direct responsibility for field leadership, field operations communications, and consistent execution across 1,300 retail locations.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for opening and growing Lids’ retail stores.
• Provide operational leadership over in-store experience, including selling behaviors, visual merchandising, and operational strategies.
• Oversee the operation and strategy for our in-store customization and personalization experience.
• Act as a key operational liaison to cross-functional partners, including real estate, shop-in-shop operating models, e-commerce operations, and loss prevention.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or similar fields.
• 15 years of progressive leadership experience in retail operations, including multi-unit field leadership.
• Proven track record overseeing field teams, developing field communication strategies, and driving store-level execution at scale.
• Strong understanding of visual merchandising principles and how to operationalize them across a retail footprint.
• Familiarity with apparel customization and embroidery preferred but not required.