Retail Executive Search
The brand is only as strong as who's leading it.
Retail moves at the speed of customer perception — the right leader protects the brand; the wrong one costs it fast. Millman Search places Manager through C-Suite leaders across luxury and retail brands, built on 44 years of relationships inside the industry.
Who We Place
Luxury retail plays by different rules than everyday retail.
Every retail search starts with knowing which side of the business is hiring — the two run on different customers, different margins, and different leadership instincts.
Luxury Retail
From flagship boutiques to global maisons, we place leaders who protect brand equity while scaling service, clientele, and exclusivity.
Example Roles
VP of Retail · Director of Boutique Operations · Regional Director · Chief Merchandising Officer
Standard Retail
From specialty chains to national retailers, we place the operators and merchandisers who keep stores running and customers coming back.
Example Roles
Store Operations Director · VP of Merchandising · Regional Manager · Director of Retail Operations
About the Firm
The leaders you want are already in our network.
From luxury flagships to national retail chains, we stay close to the merchandisers, operators, and brand leaders driving today’s stores — so outreach starts as a warm introduction, not a cold pitch.
In Retail
Placements Made
Clients Return
How It Works
Five steps, built to keep pace with retail's calendar.
One dedicated recruiter, five steps, and no missed peak season.
Consultation
A short call about the role, your team, and your timeline — no commitment on either side yet.
Engagement
We lock in scope and terms, then hand the search to a senior recruiter who already knows this side of retail.
Search & Shortlist
We go straight to our network — the leaders who aren’t scrolling job boards — and bring back a shortlist that’s already vetted.
Interviews
We run point on scheduling and prep so both sides show up ready, not scrambling.
Placement
We stay in it through the offer, the start date, and beyond — until the hire is actually working out.
Retail Specialists
Recruiters who've spent their careers inside retail and its biggest brands.
Every search is led by senior recruiters who’ve worked inside the brands and stores they now recruit for.
Chuck Dorsey
Chuck has placed retail and shopping center leaders since 1988, after years in multi-unit management at Gap, Limited, and Hit or Miss.
Chris Grant
Chris built his recruiting career across global retail brands including Nike, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Chloe Rosenthal
Chloe leads Millman Search’s executive search practice and major client relationships. She will oversee this engagement from search launch through placement.
Client Results
The names change. The results don't.
“Since 2021, Millman Search has been a trusted partner in filling our leadership positions across the country. Their understanding of the shopping center industry has enabled them to consistently deliver a high-quality pool of candidates, even in this challenging labor market. Millman Search’s team has been invaluable in finding candidates who not only meet our technical qualifications but also align with our company culture. Millman Search has been a true partner, working closely with us to understand our specific needs and providing ongoing support throughout the hiring process.”
Jonathan Maher, VP of Property Management — Centennial
Trusted By
Common Questions
What retailers ask before they call.
How do retail executive recruiters find leaders who aren't job hunting?
We reach them directly — through relationships built over four decades, not job postings. Most senior retail leaders aren’t scanning job boards; we stay close to the merchandisers, operators, and brand leaders across luxury and everyday retail, and reach out when a search calls for their specific background.
Why use a retail executive search firm instead of hiring internally?
Because the strongest retail leaders are already employed and not looking. Internal hiring and job postings only reach people actively searching — an executive search firm reaches people succeeding somewhere else who wouldn’t have applied on their own.
How much does retail executive search cost?
Most searches are structured as a percentage of the placed executive’s first-year compensation, agreed on before the search begins. Exact terms depend on role level and scope — we outline this clearly during the consultation, before either side commits.
How does retail executive search work at Millman Search?
Five steps: consultation, engagement, search and shortlist, interviews, and placement — each led by a senior recruiter, backed by a dedicated retail specialist who knows this market firsthand.
How do I choose the right retail executive search firm?
Look for a firm with real relationships in the market, not just a database of résumés. Ask how they source candidates who aren’t actively looking, and whether the person running your search actually specializes in retail — not just recruiting in general.
Get In Touch
Every leadership gap shows up on the sales floor.
Tell us what you need this hire to do — we’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit for it.