Head of Watches at Polo Limited

Job Summary

• This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Africa’s most prestigious luxury retail divisions. As Head of Watches & Jewellery, you will oversee a curated portfolio of the world’s finest watch maisons and jewellery houses. With full strategic and operational responsibility, this role requires a unique combination of commercial leadership, product connoisseurship, and a deep understanding of high-value clientele. You’ll define the next chapter of Polo’s legacy in horology and fine jewellery, setting new standards for excellence, engagement, and growth across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the P&L for the Watches & Jewellery Division, with defined revenue, profitability, margin, and growth targets across all channels.
• Develop and execute high-impact commercial strategies across retail, corporate (B2B), government (B2G), VIC, and private sales channels, ensuring aggressive market penetration and sustained commercial performance.
• Own annual and quarterly revenue planning, including forecasting, sales performance management, pipeline reviews, and boutique-by-boutique commercial scorecards.
• Lead strategic partnerships with global maisons to maximise sell-out, secure premium allocations, enhance VIC opportunities, and strengthen maison support for the Polo network.
• Direct a network of boutiques and boutique managers, ensuring world-class performance, exceptional service delivery, and operational excellence across all boutiques.
• Set the commercial rhythm for the organisation by defining KPIs, driving sales pipelines, establishing clienteling targets, activating VIC strategies, and leading performance reviews with clear accountability.
• Lead and grow large-scale institutional gifting and procurement channels, including B2B and B2G, seasonal executive gifting programmes, and bespoke commercial engagements with corporates and government institutions.

Candidate Profile:

• Minimum of 10 years’ leadership experience in luxury retail, preferably within fine watches and jewellery.
• Proven success in driving commercial growth, customer engagement, and operational excellence across multiple locations or brands.
• Deep product knowledge and appreciation for heritage watchmaking, jewellery craftsmanship, and evolving consumer tastes.
• Strong experience in clienteling, CRM-driven strategies, and cultivating relationships with high-value clients.