Retail and Licensing Manager

Retail and Licensing Manager

Full-Time 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
E

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Retail and Licensing programme to enhance fan experience and drive merchandise revenue.
  • Company: Join the RFU and be part of enriching lives through rugby.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to impact the future of rugby.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the world of sports while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail and commercial partnerships, with strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

  • Working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at
  • England

Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations.

If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you.

An opportunity has arisen for a Retail and Licensing Manager to join our Commercial Partnerships team.

  • Department : Commercial Partnerships
  • Reports to : Senior Retail & Licensing Manager
  • Salary Banding : c. £60,000
  • Job Level : Guide

Location : This role is contractually based at Allianz Stadium, offering some flexibility to work from home

Working Hours : Full Time role, covering 35 hrs per week

The Role

The England Rugby Retail & Licensing Programme currently generates significant commercial revenue for England Rugby and is an integral component of our investment back into the game to fulfil our core purpose which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to Rugby Union and develop the sport for future generations.

The Retail and Licensing Manager will lead the management and delivery of the England Rugby Retail programme, including relationships with commercial partners such as Castore, Fanatics, Gilbert and Charles Tyrwhitt and third-party merchandise vendors (e. g. match-day programme and fan radio providers).

The role’s focus is to maximise growth of merchandise revenue and enhance fan experience both digitally and physically across the official retail business (online, store & event retail) and wider distribution into the retail marketplace.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a crucial role in delivering the Retail & Licensing strategy to drive revenue growth and brand awareness.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day responsibilities will include

Retail and Licensing Management

  • Manage all retail and licensing partnerships and ensure all contractual rights are professionally delivered to an exceptional level.
  • Work with our retail partner to create a best-in-class official retail experience for all rugby fans, overseeing all e-commerce and physical retail operations on a day-to-day basis, as well as event and match day operations.
  • Deliver financial and sales-based reporting accurately along with analytical, insight based, recommendations both internally and externally to partners.
  • Work collaboratively with the England Rugby Marketing teams to promote consumer product and grow sales across England Rugby retail channels.
  • Ensure digital is at the forefront of all decision making for the Retail business, lead in digital discussions with regards to Retail.
  • Manage the Retail Partnerships Executive
  • Support the Retail Partnerships Executive in product development and driving sales of England Rugby branded products across all channels.
  • Project manage multiple retail projects ensuring clear communication to all stakeholders.
  • Work collaboratively with the Retail & Licensing Lead to shape the future of England Rugby Retail, acting as an advocate for retail in digital and Stadium planning projects.
  • Lead, with support, on key retail decision making and large retail projects.

General

  • Act as a champion for Retail & Commercial Partnerships across the business.
  • Ensure collaborative working relationships across England Rugby, as well as key external stakeholders.
  • Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
  • Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values.
  • Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

  • Significant experience working within commercial partnerships, retail. Previous roles will have included working across multiple areas of retail including digital & marketing.
  • Experience in managing third-party relationships, contracts, and rights delivery.
  • Understanding of operational requirements of a Retail business, with experience of executing this.
  • Proven commercial success in a high profile, demanding and fast-paced environment.
  • Strong levels of financial literacy, and ability to think analytically.
  • High adaptability and capacity for managing multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering under pressure.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with an ability to communicate confidently to varying levels of stakeholders.
  • Attention to detail is imperative.
  • Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide your day-to-day decisions, actions and interactions.
  • Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.
  • Will preferably already have an interest in sport and sports business.
  • Ability to think creatively both operationally and in a strategic sense.
  • Committed to the highest levels of personal performance.
  • Event retail experience preferable but not essential.
  • Skills in delivering a marketing campaign from concept to execution.
  • Experience of managing a team, preferable not essential.

Additional Information

  • All role holders must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality.

Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.

  • We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential.

If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitment@rfu. com.

  • During your application, we will ask questions about your identity.

This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers.

You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Retail and Licensing Manager employer: England Rugby

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusivity and community engagement. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, the RFU offers unique opportunities for individuals passionate about rugby to make a meaningful impact in the sport while enjoying the flexibility of remote work at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. Join us in enriching lives through rugby and be part of a team that values integrity, collaboration, and the future of the game.

E

Contact Details:

England Rugby Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail and Licensing 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 England Rugby, 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 England Rugby!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail and Licensing Manager

Retail Management
Licensing Management
Commercial Partnerships
E-commerce Operations
Financial Reporting
Analytical Skills
Digital Marketing

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 England Rugby, 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 England Rugby 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 England Rugby that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at England Rugby

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!