Flagship Store Manager in Manchester

• Sector
• Premium Retail, Hospitality, Events and Automotive
• Overview
• Our client,
• Volkswagen Group UK , is seeking an experienced

CUPRA City Garage Manager to lead the commercial performance, operational delivery and customer experience of the

CUPRA City Garage in Manchester .

Representing

CUPRA UK , the successful candidate will manage a high-profile brand destination that brings together automotive performance, design, music, wellness, hospitality and the local community.

This is an excellent opportunity for a manager with experience in premium retail, hospitality, leisure, events or experiential marketing.

You will oversee the day-to-day operation of the venue while acting as the key link between CUPRA UK, the local retailer partner, appointed hospitality and events agencies, and Volkswagen Group UK’s head office teams.

More than a traditional showroom, the CUPRA City Garage is an immersive cultural and customer destination.

You will be responsible for ensuring that every activation, event and customer interaction reflects CUPRA’s distinctive brand standards while supporting commercial performance, customer engagement, lead generation and brand awareness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the CUPRA City Garage in Manchester, ensuring a consistently high-quality guest experience.
• Take ownership of the venue’s commercial performance, operational delivery and brand execution.
• Work closely with hospitality and events agencies to plan, coordinate and deliver an engaging programme of events, activations and brand experiences.
• Act as the central point of coordination between CUPRA UK, Volkswagen Group UK, the local retailer partner, external agencies and on-site suppliers.
• Serve as a brand guardian, ensuring all customer-facing activity, merchandising, events and guest experiences reflect CUPRA standards.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, agencies, suppliers and local community organisations.
• Support lead generation, customer engagement, brand awareness and wider commercial objectives.
• Manage venue budgets, including allocation, forecasting, cost control, invoice management and financial reporting.
• Track and report on key performance indicators, including lead management, commercial performance, stock, merchandising, guest feedback and event success.
• Conduct regular site inspections to ensure facilities, presentation, merchandising and operational standards are maintained.
• Resolve supplier, facilities and operational issues before they affect the customer experience.
• Brief agencies and partners on brand standards, customer journeys, hospitality, staffing and activation requirements.
• Collaborate with marketing, public relations, sales, customer experience and retail network teams to ensure campaigns and local activations are fully aligned.
• Contribute to wider CUPRA network initiatives, best-practice sharing and collaboration with the global CUPRA City Garage network.
• Provide visible leadership during key events, high-footfall periods and weekend activations where required.

Requirements

• Proven management experience within premium retail, hospitality, events, leisure, experiential marketing or another customer-facing environment.
• Demonstrable experience delivering premium or high-quality customer experiences.
• Experience coordinating agencies, commercial partners, suppliers and head office stakeholders.
• Strong event management or activation experience, with the ability to turn plans into polished customer experiences.
• Commercial acumen, including experience working towards targets, managing budgets and reporting against key performance indicators.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving, site operations and supplier management.
• Strong attention to detail across events, merchandising, facilities and customer journeys.
• A strong understanding of Manchester’s cultural, hospitality, events or creative landscape.
• A genuine interest in brand experience, customer engagement and creating memorable moments.
• Flexibility to support occasional evening, weekend and event activity when required.

Volkswagen Group UK offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Discretionary performance-related bonus.
• Company vehicle schemes, including options for eligible family members.
• Enhanced employer pension contributions.
• 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Life assurance of up to four times annual salary.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• A wide range of flexible benefits.
• Access to extensive learning and development resources.
• Internal and external mentoring opportunities.
• One-to-one coaching and leadership development.
• Career progression opportunities across Volkswagen Group UK and its portfolio of automotive brands.

Volkswagen Group UK is committed to building an inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can contribute, develop and progress.

Applications are welcomed from candidates with diverse experiences, perspectives and career paths.

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