Retail Operations Manager

Job description

Retail Operations Manager

Location: Brixton London (Hybrid)

Salary: £70,000 per annum

Job Type: Permanent

Job Reference: 40227

Retail Operations Manager – Immersive & Experiential Retail

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Retail Operations Manager to join an award-winning experiential agency renowned for delivering ambitious, culture-shaping retail, hospitality and brand experiences across the UK and internationally.

This is a senior, highly visible position suited to a retail leader who thrives on complexity, pace and large-scale delivery. You will be responsible for launching and operating flagship immersive Retail/F&B environments that don’t just open on time - they make headlines.

The Opportunity

Working at the intersection of retail, creativity and culture, you will take ownership of the full operational lifecycle of immersive brand spaces - from feasibility and build through to launch, optimisation and multi-market rollout.

These are not traditional retail stores. They are experiential destinations designed to shift perception, drive engagement and deliver measurable commercial results. Your role will ensure that bold creative ideas are supported by best-in-class operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Retail Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end operational delivery of immersive retail environments across multiple brands and territories
• Oversee new store openings from concept planning through to launch and operational handover
• Ensure all environments open on schedule, within budget and to exceptional guest experience standards
• Develop scalable operating models to support expansion across regions and markets
• Align global brand standards with local compliance, legal and cultural requirements
• Act as the senior operational contact for clients, partners and suppliers

Project Management & Store Launches

• Manage timelines, budgets, risk mitigation and supplier coordination
• Oversee contractors, fabricators, landlords and local authorities
• Ensure full compliance with health & safety and regulatory requirements
• Implement clear transition processes from construction to live operation
• Capture insights to refine and strengthen future launch playbooks

Live Operations & Performance Optimisation

• Oversee day-to-day performance of operational environments
• Maintain consistent guest experience, service excellence and brand integrity
• Implement reporting frameworks and governance processes
• Support seasonal refreshes, refits and evolving experiential activations
• Drive efficiencies while enhancing quality and impact

Financial & Commercial Management

• Take ownership of operational budgets across launches and live sites
• Maintain strict cost control without compromising experience delivery
• Identify opportunities to improve margin through smarter planning
• Forecast operational spend and support long-term client growth strategies

Leadership & Collaboration

• Inspire and lead cross-functional teams, suppliers and partners
• Provide clarity, accountability and direction in high-pressure situations
• Collaborate closely with Client Services, Creative and Production teams
• Champion operational best practice across the agency

About the Agency

Our client is an industry-leading experiential agency that creates transformative retail and brand environments for some of the world’s most iconic names. Their work blends storytelling, innovation and commercial insight to produce experiences that resonate emotionally and culturally.

They are driven by impact - delivering work that influences how audiences think, feel and act, while generating tangible commercial return.

The Ideal Candidate

• Significant experience in retail operations management or project management, ideally within experiential, flagship or multi-site environments
• Proven track record delivering complex new store openings
• Strong commercial acumen and budget ownership experience
• Expertise in health & safety, compliance and multi-market operations
• Highly organised, calm under pressure and solutions-focused
• A collaborative leader comfortable operating at senior stakeholder level

Please get in touch with me, Jack Wheeler, if this position sounds of interest. I am a consultant at mustard with a specialist approach to creative recruitment.

For more info on this role or to chat about other options, call me on 0203 587 7809 or the office on 0117 929 6060. You can also email me at jack.wheeler@mustardjobs.co.uk

More roles can be found at www.mustardjobs.co.uk/jobs and other snippets at

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don't forget, we are a recruitment agency and not the end hirer.

mustard is a creative recruitment consultancy and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply. Our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias and we welcome the opportunity to work with you. If you require any accommodations during the application process, please let us know. We appreciate the unique skills and experiences each candidate brings, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected"

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

City of London

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

03-03-2026

Profession type

Design / Fashion

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English