At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative retail strategies and marketing initiatives to enhance visitor experiences.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council, a leader in community engagement and conservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, pension contributions, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Birmingham’s green spaces and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and marketing, with strong financial skills.
The predicted salary is between 45091 - 51356 £ per year.
Permanent Grade D - £45,091 – £51,356
Working 36.5 hours per week
Overview
Are you an experienced retail manager ready to help shape the future of Birmingham’s Destination Parks visitor centres? We’re seeking an innovative Retail and Engagement Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Birmingham’s most exciting green and wildlife destinations. This brand-new role will sit at the heart of a major transformation across our Destination Parks visitor centres, the Birmingham Wildlife and Conservation Centre, and the Kings Heath and Cofton Plant Nurseries. You’ll have the opportunity to reimagine visitor experiences, unlock commercial potential, and bring our spaces to life in fresh and inspiring ways.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of creative retail strategies that maximise income generation while enhancing the visitor journey.
- Drive compelling marketing initiatives, using digital platforms, website content, and social media campaigns to grow audiences, build engagement, and showcase everything our destinations have to offer.
- Work up retail strategies to maximise income generation and develop clear marketing through website and social media campaigns.
- Support the transformation across Destination Parks visitor centres and related sites.
About you / Qualifications
- Substantial experience in retail management, including stock control and space optimisation.
- Strong financial skills, including budget management, income forecasting, and cost control.
- Proven ability to create reports, interpret data, and deliver presentations to senior stakeholders.
- Significant experience in marketing content creation and promotional activity, including social media.
- Excellent administrative, organisational, and numeracy skills.
- Ability to lead meetings and engage professionally with diverse stakeholders.
- Skilled in responding to complex enquiries with clarity and professionalism.
- Strong team player with the ability to support colleagues and service users.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and public holidays when required.
Benefits
- Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund – with generous employer contributions.
- Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days, increasing with length of service.
- My Rewards Scheme – access to 800+ brands providing discounts and savings.
- Health and wellbeing support – independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling, occupational health.
Application information
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
We are a disability confident employer and we encourage applicants with disabilities to apply. We also welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.
Retail and Engagement Manager employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and innovation thrive. As the Retail and Engagement Manager, you will play a crucial role in transforming Birmingham’s Destination Parks, with access to generous benefits such as enhanced holiday entitlement, health and wellbeing support, and a commitment to employee development. Join a supportive team that values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring a rewarding career path in one of the UK's most vibrant cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail and Engagement 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 Birmingham City Council, 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 Birmingham City Council!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail and Engagement 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 Birmingham City Council, 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 Birmingham City Council 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 Birmingham City Council that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨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!
