COO/ Managing Director (m/w/d)- Fashion & E-Commerce

About This Opportunity

We are representing a fast-growing, founder-led fashion and lifestyle brand based in Düsseldorf. Our client is entering their next growth phase and seeking an exceptionally strong operational leader to work directly with the Founder & CEO, progressively taking over day-to-day business operations.

The mission: Transform a founder-driven organization into a scalable enterprise that executes independently and rapidly—without losing the creativity, speed, and ambition that defines the brand.

This is not a traditional corporate management role. Our client needs an entrepreneurial operator with ownership mentality, leadership capability, and high execution velocity.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational management of the business in close partnership with the Founder & CEO
• Translate company strategy into concrete priorities, accountabilities, KPIs, and deadlines
• Manage and develop department leads and their teams
• Build clear management, meeting, and accountability structures
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks across the organization
• Optimize cross-functional processes and responsibilities
• Ensure tight collaboration between Marketing, Creative, E-Commerce, Product, Operations, and Finance
• Build and manage integrated commercial, campaign, and launch processes
• Own operational execution of major projects and company initiatives
• Evolve organizational structure and identify critical hiring needs
• Drive performance management and build a performance-oriented ownership culture
• Manage and evaluate external agencies, freelancers, and partners
• Collaborate closely with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, cash planning, and cost control
• Build comprehensive management reporting and track key company KPIs
• Ensure decisions are executed consistently and problems are solved autonomously

The overarching goal: Reduce the company's operational dependency on the founder, enabling focus on brand, product, creative vision, growth, and long-term business development.

What We're Looking For

• Multiple years of experience in an operational leadership position (COO, Managing Director, General Manager, Director of Operations, or comparable role)
• Proven track record building or scaling a fast-growing company
• Ideally, experience in a company with eight-figure revenue or on the path to reaching it
• Strong understanding of D2C, e-commerce, and digital business models
• Experience in fashion, streetwear, lifestyle, or consumer brands is a significant plus
• Experience leading teams and managing other leaders
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen
• Ability to consistently translate strategy into execution
• Strong ownership mindset and high decision-making capability
• You identify problems and solve them before they need to be escalated
• You can build structures and processes without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• High standards, strong communication skills, and ability to hold others accountable
• Experience in a founder-led company is a major advantage
• Excellent German and English language skills

Our client is not looking for the perfect corporate CV. They seek someone who has already proven they can elevate companies, people, and execution to the next level.

What's On Offer

• One of the most central leadership positions within a growing fashion brand
• Direct collaboration with the Founder & CEO
• Enormous scope for influence and genuine decision-making authority
• Opportunity to significantly shape the next growth phase of an established fashion brand
• No corporate structures and short decision-making paths
• High autonomy and direct impact on company performance
• Attractive executive compensation package including base salary and performance-based components
• Modern office in Düsseldorf
• Employee discounts
• Regular team events
• Long-term development perspective within executive management

How We Work With You

Candidates apply directly through Get A Job.ai. Our talent team will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and ensure alignment with the role requirements. Once qualified, we will submit your profile to our client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the client directly, as all communication is managed through our recruitment process to ensure confidentiality and professionalism.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process and are commensurate with experience and the executive nature of this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive hiring practices and equal opportunity employment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.