Visual Merchandising Manager
Fixed Term | Part Time or Full Time, 30.4 or 38 Hours per week
Salary: £28,650 FTE (pro rata, £22,920)
About us:
Overlooking the Alde estuary, Snape Maltings is home to our world-famous concert hall and music facilities; it is also a popular visitor destination with independent shops, cafes, a restaurant, event venues and art galleries. The site is now largely owned by Britten Pears Arts, a Music & Arts based charity.
Snape Maltings Trading Limited (SMTL) is the commercial arm to Britten Pears Arts. All of the profits that we make through sales at Snape Maltings contribute towards supporting our charitable work in Artist Development, our year-round Performance Programme, Music in the Community and Creative Health and our Living Heritage Museum and Archive at The Red House. Aswell as the support received from SMTL, Britten Pears Arts is also supported though fundraising, public funding, ticket sales and royalties from works by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears.
Our mission at Britten Pears Arts is to use Music, Arts & Heritage to transform people’s lives for the better, to bring communities together and effect positive social change. We continue to follow in the footsteps of our founders Britten and Pears, inspired by their goal to make the arts useful and available to all. At our two internationally recognised cultural destinations, Snape Maltings and The Red House, we create vibrant, uplifting and life-enhancing experiences for visitors, customers and audiences alike. We deliver this vision through our remarkable people and brilliant inclusive teams, working together with a sense of purpose.
Our Brand Values guide everything that we do: Quality – we provide high quality products across a range different price points; we are Customer Lead – we take time to understand our customers and to build loyalty; we are Authentic to our unique Suffolk location, natural environment and history; we are Enterprising and Open – always looking for ways to improve, adapt and embrace new and different opportunities.
Role summary
We're looking for a creative and commercially minded Visual Merchandising Manager to lead the visual presentation of our retail spaces at Snape Maltings. Working closely with our Buying, Retail Operations, Stock Control and Maintenance teams, you'll create inspiring displays and seasonal launches that enhance the customer experience and drive sales.
This role combines creativity with commercial awareness. You'll oversee our visual merchandising approach across the site, manage and support the Visual Merchandising team, analyse product performance, and ensure our shops are consistently presented to the highest standard. As our visual merchandising expert, you'll bring fresh ideas, an eye for detail, and a collaborative approach that inspires colleagues and creates engaging retail environments for our customers.
In particular we are looking for:
- Recent experience in visual merchandising, ideally within a lifestyle, homeware, gift, fashion or similar retail environment
- A strong eye for colour, presentation and product storytelling, with the ability to create visually inspiring displays
- Commercial awareness and the ability to use sales performance data to inform merchandising decisions
- Experience leading, motivating or supporting colleagues and helping others develop their merchandising skills
- Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across different teams
- A positive, proactive and flexible approach, with a willingness to adapt to changing priorities and peak trading periods
- Someone who shares our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience and acting as a positive ambassador for Snape Maltings
What helps us get the most from your application:
- A CV that shares your experience, skills and what you’ve been involved in
- A cover letter giving us a sense of who you are, what interests you about the role, and what you would bring to it
- Applying via our website where possible, so your application comes through clearly and can be reviewed in full
We understand there’s no single “right” way to apply, and that people bring different experiences and styles. If there’s anything we can do to support you in the process or make adjustments, please feel free to get in touch at people@brittenpearsarts.org — we’d be very happy to help.
We are an equal opportunities employer and believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates of all ages and from all backgrounds, in particular from global majority backgrounds and disabled candidates who are currently under-represented at Britten Pears Arts and Snape Maltings Trading Limited.
Do you have right to live and work in the UK that is not dependent on sponsorship?
(Please note that Britten Pears Arts and Snape Maltings Trading Limited does not hold a sponsorship license and is therefore unable to sponsor individuals. For guidance, please refer to the Home Office website. Please note, it is illegal to employ anyone who does not have permission to live and work in the UK.)*
Closing date: Midday 13 November 2026
Proposed interviews: TBC
Visual Merchandising Manager (Maternity Cover) in Saxmundham employer: Britten Pears Arts
At Snape Maltings, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and community engagement. As a Catering Team Leader, you will not only lead a dedicated team in delivering outstanding customer experiences but also contribute to our mission of using arts to transform lives. With opportunities for personal growth, a supportive environment, and the unique advantage of working in a stunning location overlooking the Alde estuary, joining us means being part of something truly meaningful.
