What It Takes to get Hired in Luxury Retail with former Burberry Global Director Roisin Hurley

In this episode of Runway to Excellence, Stephanie Jackson sits down with Brand & Retail Consultant Roisin Hurley to explore the realities of working, hiring, and leading in the luxury retail industry. From early career decisions to leadership roles, this conversation unpacks what separates those who succeed in luxury from those who struggle to progress. Roisin shares valuable insight into what luxury brands are really looking for when hiring, how to stand out in a competitive market, and the importance of attitude, service excellence, and cultural alignment. The discussion also explores leadership in retail environments, building high-performing teams, and maintaining standards in fast-paced, customer-focused settings. This podcast is brought to you by SJR London, trusted talent partner for Luxury Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle recruitment - for more on how they deliver talent that defines luxury, visit https://www.sjrlondon.com/ This episode covers… What it takes to succeed in luxury retail careers How luxury brands hire and assess talent The importance of attitude, presentation, and service standards Career progression in fashion, beauty, and retail Leadership in high-performance retail environments Building and managing successful teams The difference between good candidates and exceptional ones How to stand out in competitive luxury roles Cultural fit and brand alignment in hiring Long-term career development in the luxury sector Key Moments: 0:00: From MAC Counter to Global Director at Burberry 02:40: Brazil to Ireland: Early Life and Falling in Love with Customers 08:10: Athlete Family, Corporate Athlete Mindset & High Performance 15:10: Teenage Entrepreneur: Phone Cases, Nail Art & Commercial Creativity 22:10: Getting into MAC: Fashion Shows, Beauty Retail and Art + Commerce 31:00: University, Commuting Between Cities and Building a Relentless Work Ethic 39:30: Fashion Weeks with MAC: Inside the Events Team and Backstage Chaos 48:15: Leaving MAC for Burberry: Content, Training and a Pivotal Interview Task 55:30: 9.5 Years at Burberry: Promotions, Global Travel and Positive Influence 1:03:10: What Makes Exceptional Retail: Culture, Consistency and Store Leadership 1:10:10: Feedback, Phones on the Floor and What’s Broken in Retail Today 1:16:40: Top 1% Performers, Mindset and Roisin’s Legacy in Retail 1:21:30: Closing Reflections & Takeaways for Retail, CX and Leadership