At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive retail growth and create amazing consumer experiences with top UK retailers.
- Company: Join BBC Studios, a global leader in media and entertainment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career development and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Be part of shaping the future of beloved brands like Bluey.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or consumer products and a commercial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65500 £ per year.
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time 13 Month FTC
DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios
LOCATION: London
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £60,000 + London Weighting (£5,441) depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
BONUS: 15% OTE
ABOUT BBC STUDIOS
A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world's most sought-after TV, audio and digital content. Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing retail team at a pivotal moment for Bluey and the wider BBC Studios portfolio. You will work across major UK retailers, international markets, retail marketing and commercial strategy, with the opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the retail future of one of the world's biggest family entertainment brands. If you are commercially ambitious, highly collaborative and excited by the opportunity to turn brilliant content into brilliant retail experiences, we'd love to hear from you.
This is an exciting time to join the team. Bluey continues to build extraordinary global momentum, with its first feature film planned for 2027, creating a significant opportunity to accelerate retail growth and establish the brand as an even bigger presence across the UK.
We are looking for a commercially driven and highly collaborative Retail Development Manager to join our UK & EMEA Retail team on a maternity cover from October/November 2026. This is a high-impact role at the heart of our retail strategy, responsible for turning the strength of our brands - particularly Bluey - into retail growth, stronger retailer partnerships and standout consumer experiences. You will work across the retail ecosystem, building relationships with key UK retailers, shaping General Merchandise strategy, driving retail marketing and working with our licensing agents across EMEA to unlock growth.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- UK Retail Partnerships: Build and grow strategic relationships with key UK retailers, developing joint plans that deliver commercial growth, stronger brand presence and compelling consumer experiences.
- Retail Marketing: Develop and deliver impactful retail marketing programmes that bring our brands to life across in-store, online, promotional and experiential channels, connecting major brand and content moments to retail opportunities.
- EMEA Retail Development: Work closely with licensing agents across select markets, providing strategic direction, sharing best practice and identifying opportunities to accelerate retail growth.
- Amazon & Strategic Retail Opportunities: Support the wider team in developing Amazon and other strategic retail partnerships, helping create compelling destinations and high-impact trading and marketing moments.
- Cross-functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Brand, Marketing, Creative, Sales, Licensing, PR, Finance, Legal and external partners to deliver joined-up commercial plans and maximise the impact of our brands at retail.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Experience in retail, licensing, consumer products, entertainment or a related commercial environment.
- A strong understanding of the UK retail landscape and experience building relationships with retailers, buyers or trading teams.
- A commercial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities, understand performance and translate insight into action.
- Experience developing retail, shopper or brand marketing programmes.
- The ability to think strategically while being comfortable getting into the detail to make plans happen.
DESIRED NOT REQUIRED:
- Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills.
- Experience working across multiple stakeholders, partners or markets.
- Excellent organisation and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace.
- A collaborative, proactive approach and the confidence to challenge and influence.
- A genuine passion for brands, entertainment, consumers and the role retail can play in bringing them to life.
- Experience across softlines, toys, home, FMCG or other consumer categories would be advantageous, as would licensing experience.
- Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is commercially curious, retailer-minded, entrepreneurial and excited by the opportunity to build something bigger.
Disclaimer: This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.
Redeployment: The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants.
Information at a Glance: This is your BBC. At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Find out more about BBC Studios Life at BBC Studios: A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy an extra five days. Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions). Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access, life assurance and accident benefit. BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets here.
Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture. Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis. Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.
You belong: We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.
Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy: Disability confident. We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss: reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk
Retail Manager employer: BBC UK
At BBC Studios, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. Located in the vibrant heart of Cardiff, our finance team provides ample opportunities for professional growth, with a flexible working environment, generous annual leave, and a commitment to sustainability. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Manager
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like BBC UK, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like BBC UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at BBC UK, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at BBC UK and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show BBC UK that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC UK
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
