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- Tasks: Lead immersive retail experiences and ensure smooth operations across multiple locations.
- Company: Award-winning experiential agency known for innovative brand environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for UK & international travel.
- Why this job: Shape culture through exciting retail projects and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail operations, hospitality, and managing new store openings.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong leadership and collaboration opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you a Retail Operations Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of ambitious, culture‑shaping retail and brand experiences? DNA Recruit are working for an award‑winning experiential agency who are known for creating immersive retail environments and live brand spaces that place brands firmly into culture to find them a Retail Operations Manager.
Working across some of the world’s most recognisable names, they blend creativity with operational precision to deliver experiences that make headlines and work flawlessly behind the scenes. This is a senior, highly visible role for someone who thrives on complexity, scale and real‑world execution, taking ownership of flagship retail environments from concept through to live operation.
About the Role
As Retail Operations Manager, you’ll take responsibility for the end‑to‑end operational delivery of immersive retail and experiential spaces across multiple brands and markets. You’ll work closely with Client Service, Creative and Production teams to turn bold ideas into robust, scalable operational models, ensuring every space opens on time, runs smoothly and delivers an exceptional guest experience. You’ll lead new store openings, oversee live environments, and continuously refine operational frameworks to support growth, consistency and commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Retail & Experiential Operations
- Lead the operational delivery of immersive retail environments across multiple locations and brands
- Ensure each space launches on time, within budget and to exceptional operational and experience standards
- Develop scalable operational frameworks to support multi‑site and multi‑market rollouts
- Balance global brand standards with local legal, cultural and operational requirements
- Act as the senior operational contact for clients, partners and suppliers
- New Store Openings
- Oversee project timelines, budgets, risk management and supplier coordination
- Manage contractors, fabricators, landlords, local authorities and operational partners
- Ensure health & safety compliance and operational readiness across all locations
- Own the transition from build phase to live operation, establishing clear handover processes
- Capture learnings and evolve playbooks for future launches
- Live Operations & Optimisation
- Oversee day‑to‑day performance of live retail and brand environments
- Ensure consistent guest experience, service standards and brand execution
- Implement reporting, governance and issue‑resolution processes
- Support seasonal updates, refits and evolving experiential programmes
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost and elevate experience quality
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Own operational budgets for new openings and live environments
- Maintain cost control without compromising creative or experience quality
- Identify opportunities to improve margins through smarter operational planning
- Forecast operational costs and support long‑term client investment planning
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and motivate internal teams, partners and suppliers
- Build strong cross‑functional relationships with Client Service, Creative and Production
- Provide calm, decisive leadership in high‑pressure environments
- Share best practice and operational expertise across the agency
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience in retail operations, experiential, brand environments or complex physical spaces
- Looking for someone with experience in the hospitality sector
- Strong track record delivering new store openings or multi‑site rollouts
- Confident managing budgets, suppliers and senior stakeholders
- Excellent operational planning, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills
- Comfortable working at pace in fast‑moving, creative environments
- A collaborative, solutions‑focused leader with strong commercial awareness
Salary & Details
Salary: Up to £70‑75k per annum
Location: London (Hybrid, with UK & international travel)
DNA is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Retail Operations Manager (hospitality) employer: DNA Recruit
Contact Detail:
DNA Recruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Operations Manager (hospitality)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to showcase your experience in retail operations and hospitality. Bring along examples of past projects or successes that highlight your ability to manage complex environments. We want to see how you can bring value to the table!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their brand ethos. Think about how your skills align with their needs, especially in delivering immersive experiences. We recommend practising common interview questions and having a few of your own ready to show your interest.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s make that connection!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Operations Manager (hospitality)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Retail Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail operations, especially in hospitality, and showcase any successful new store openings or multi-site rollouts you've managed.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about creating immersive retail experiences and how your skills align with our mission. Be sure to mention specific examples that demonstrate your operational expertise.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and motivate teams! In your application, include examples of how you've built strong relationships with cross-functional teams and how you've navigated high-pressure situations to deliver exceptional results.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at DNA Recruit
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the agency's past projects and their approach to immersive retail. Understanding their unique style and recent campaigns will help you demonstrate your passion and alignment with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience in retail operations, especially in hospitality. Highlight how you've successfully managed new store openings or multi-site rollouts, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations. Think of scenarios where you had to balance operational efficiency with guest experience, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong cross-functional teamwork. Share examples of how you've built relationships with creative and production teams, and how you’ve led diverse groups to achieve common goals, especially in fast-paced environments.