VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL INNOVATION AND STRATEGY - CHARTWELLS HIGHER EDUCATION

Compass Group•Charlotte, NC

1d•$175,000 - $185,000

About The Position

At over 300 college & universities around the country, Chartwells Higher Education is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience. We are challenging the norm and setting new standards by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. We are food-forward difference makers, bound together by a desire to feed hungry minds and prepare students for success. We are seeking hungry, humble and smart associates who are looking to join and grow with a diverse organization. We invite you to start your career journey with us and look forward to hearing from you. Job SummaryThe Vice President of Retail Innovation & Strategy is a senior executive leader responsible for driving revenue growth, market share expansion, and brand differentiation across the college and university retail portfolio. This role shapes the future of campus retail and convenience (c-store) environments by developing forward-thinking strategies that meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff, and campus partners. With a strong focus on internal brand and concept development, retail innovation, strategic partnerships with national brands, and evaluation of local and regional concepts, the VP will lead the transformation of campus retail experiences. This position also oversees the Beverage & Snack Program Manager, ensuring alignment of programs, assortments, and supplier strategies with overall retail objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, Hospitality, or related field (MBA preferred).
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail strategy, brand development, or multi-unit retail operations.
Proven experience developing and scaling internal brands or proprietary retail concepts.
Experience within the college and university, hospitality, or foodservice retail environment strongly preferred.
Visionary brand and concept builder.
Deep understanding of campus retail dynamics.
Strategic, innovative, and data-driven.
Strong people leader and collaborator
Results-oriented with a growth mindset

Responsibilities

Develop and execute long-term retail strategies aligned with corporate and campus partner goals, focusing on revenue growth, market expansion, and profitability within the college and university space.
Lead growth initiatives for internal and proprietary retail brands across campus stores, markets, and c-store formats.
Identify opportunities for new campus retail concepts, store formats, and non-traditional retail models that enhance the student experience and support campus life.
Own the vision, strategy, and roadmap for internal retail brands and proprietary concepts within the college and university portfolio.
Lead end-to-end concept development, including ideation, brand positioning, menu/assortment strategy, pricing, merchandising, and customer experience design
Partner with culinary, merchandising, marketing, design, and operations teams to bring new concepts to life and ensure successful launches.
Pilot, test, and scale internal brands and concepts across campuses, using performance data and student feedback to refine offerings.
Ensure internal brands are relevant to diverse campus demographics while remaining scalable, profitable, and operationally sound.
Champion innovation in campus retail by identifying and implementing emerging technologies, including frictionless checkout, mobile ordering, loyalty platforms, and data-driven personalization.
Drive seamless integration of digital and physical retail channels to meet the expectations of a tech-savvy student population.
Partner with design and real estate teams to modernize campus retail environments while respecting campus culture, space constraints, and operating models.
Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with national brands that resonate within the college and university market.
Evaluate local and regional brands for potential campus partnerships, pilot programs, or integration into broader retail strategies.
Partner with purchasing arm for contract writing, LOI’s and subcontracts.
Balance internal brand growth with external partnerships to create a differentiated and compelling retail mix on campus.
Develop a comprehensive pricing strategy for campus retail and convenience formats that balances value perception, competitive positioning, and margin optimization.
Work with the strategic pricing team to leverage data analytics, consumer insights, and campus demographics to establish dynamic pricing models tailored to specific markets, store formats, and customer segments.
Provide direct leadership and oversight to the Beverage & Snack Program Manager.
Set the strategic direction for beverage and snack programs across campus retail locations, ensuring consistency, innovation, and profitability.
Collaborate with supplier partners to optimize assortments, promotional strategies, and program execution.
Optimize retail and c-store operations, merchandising strategies, and processes to drive sales, margin improvement, and consistent execution across campuses.
Ensure internal brands and concepts are operationally efficient and scalable across varying campus environments.
Establish, track, and analyze KPIs related to sales performance, margin, traffic, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Use insights to evaluate concept performance, guide innovation investment, and inform expansion decisions.
Lead and influence cross-functional teams including purchasing, merchandising, culinary, real estate, design, marketing, operations, and technology.
Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and campus partners, fostering collaboration, trust, and alignment.
Build a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Stay current on trends in college and university dining, retail, and student lifestyle preferences.
Translate insights into actionable strategies that keep internal brands and retail concepts relevant and competitive.