At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the launch and management of a vibrant gallery and retail space in London.
- Company: Cockpit, a leading charity for contemporary craft with a focus on creativity and community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and creativity.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of contemporary craft and connect with talented makers.
- Qualifications: Experience in gallery or retail management with a strong commercial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
This year Cockpit celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades as one of the UK’s most influential charities for contemporary craft and making. To celebrate this milestone, we will be bringing Cockpit to new audiences, to share the extraordinary skill and creativity of our makers through the opening of an exciting new gallery and retail space in the City of London — a public-facing home for Cockpit's makers, showcasing exceptional contemporary craft through rotating exhibitions, a curated retail offer, and a programme of workshops, talks and private views.
Our vision for 40 Leadenhall is as an active, energised, welcoming space, presenting work from emerging makers and leading figures within craft. The space will give visitors the chance to meet the makers, view and buy work, watch makers in action, and explore their own creativity with expert guidance.
We're looking for a seasoned, ambitious Gallery & Retail Manager to lead this new space from launch. Reporting to the CEO & COO, this role is key in the launch, delivery, and management of Cockpit’s new City of London location, cementing Cockpit as a leading voice within contemporary craft. The role will lead Cockpit's new vibrant cultural destination within the Square Mile — a space designed to connect thousands of people who work in the city looking to engage with world-leading creative talent, whilst also encouraging a new type of visitor into the Square Mile.
About Cockpit: Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft and home to more than 180 makers united by their extraordinary skill and creativity. A charity recognised as a UK top 100 social enterprise, we give makers the tools to build their businesses so they can focus on what they do best: making. We provide funded studio space, in-house business training and coaching, and exhibition opportunities for makers working across 25 different disciplines. Cockpit aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity and is the UK’s only business incubator for makers. We are a destination for talent, having launched the careers of some of the major names in craft.
About the role: We're looking for an experienced, entrepreneurial Gallery & Retail Manager to spearhead this new space from day one. You'll take full responsibility for its day-to-day running and long-term success — curating and delivering a rotating exhibition programme alongside Cockpit’s CEO, building a commercially successful retail offer of maker-made work, and hosting a lively events programme of workshops, talks, and private views. You'll manage a small team, including a Gallery & Retail Assistant, and act as the face of Cockpit in the City. This is a senior hands-on role suited to someone who combines a genuine passion for contemporary craft with strong commercial, operational, and people management instincts.
About you: You bring proven experience managing a gallery or retail space, with a commercial mindset and a track record of building profitable retail offers. You'll have a curatorial eye and the confidence to help shape an exhibition programme, alongside experience planning and delivering events from workshops to private views. Operationally strong, you're comfortable managing stock, deliveries, packing, shipping, and the logistics of moving artwork and retail goods safely in and out of the space, as well as the day-to-day running of the space. You know how to lead and support a small team, ensuring they deliver operational excellence and seamless customer service. You're entrepreneurial, resilient, and comfortable working autonomously — equally at home managing a budget, hosting an opening night, or pitching in on the shop floor. You communicate with confidence and warmth, and can represent Cockpit and its makers to customers, collectors, and other stakeholders. You share our mission of connecting exceptional creative talent with real opportunity.
Diversity drives creativity: Cockpit is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in all our activities. We know that creativity and innovation are fuelled by diversity. Recognising that equity is a matter of social justice, we foster an inclusive culture where all aspects of diversity are celebrated and seen as key to success and flourishing. We are committed to building a more diverse community and creating an environment where anyone, from any background, can develop their talents, do their best work, and realise their full potential. This extends to our community of makers, staff team, and Board of Trustees. We especially welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds currently under-represented in craft, including people from the Global Majority and D/deaf and disabled people.
As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity in our staff team and better reflect the communities we serve, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet all the essential criteria in the person specification and identify as being from a Global Majority background and/or as D/deaf and/or disabled. If you identify as having one or more of these protected characteristics and meet the essential criteria for the job, please state in your application that you would like to be considered under our guaranteed interview scheme. To ensure accessibility for all candidates, everyone who is invited to interview will be asked in advance to let us know of any access needs.
Interviews: First-round interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October. Second-round interviews will be held in person at Cockpit Bloomsbury on Tuesday 6 October and Wednesday 7 October. We will contact shortlisted applicants by Wednesday 23 September if you have been invited to interview. We are sorry that we won’t be able to contact every applicant. If you haven’t heard from us by that date, please assume that you haven’t been shortlisted for the role. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide any further feedback.
Gallery & Retail Manager employer: Cockpit
Cockpit is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that celebrates creativity and diversity. As a leading charity in contemporary craft, employees benefit from unique opportunities for professional growth, including access to funded studio space and in-house training. Located in the heart of London, the new gallery and retail space will not only showcase extraordinary talent but also foster connections with a diverse audience, making it a rewarding environment for those passionate about craft and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gallery & Retail Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Cockpit.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Cockpit.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Cockpit.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Cockpit. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Gallery & Retail Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Cockpit. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Gallery & Retail Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cockpit
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Cockpit. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
