Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage retail operations for a vibrant sports venue, enhancing fan experiences.
- Company: Join Gather & Gather, a community-focused hospitality leader in sports venues.
- Benefits: Enjoy personal development, health support, holiday allowance, and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on matchdays while leading a dynamic team in a lively environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in retail leadership and team management in high-pressure settings.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career growth and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 ÂŁ per year.
At Gather & Gather Stadia we specialise in hospitality for community‑focused sports venues, delivering locally inspired high‑quality food and drink that elevates fan and guest experience and drives lasting impact. We take a boutique approach: combining personalised service, strong local partnerships and menus built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients that reflect the unique character of every stadium and its community. We’re proud to bring energy, creativity, and care to every match day and event.
Location: SE7 8BL (Charlton Stadium). Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 per annum depending on experience. Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days (including weekends, evenings and matchdays). Reporting to: General Catering Manager.
Role Overview
The Head of Retail is responsible for leading and managing Charlton Athletic's Food & Beverage (F&B) retail operations, ensuring excellence in fan experience, commercial performance, and operational delivery across matchdays, non‑matchdays, hospitality, and special events. With a dynamic and growing operation that is 80% liquor‑driven, and a retail team of up to 200 staff on matchdays, this role demands proven expertise in large‑scale event operations, ideally within stadia or greenfield or large‑scale event environment.
Team Size & Structure
- Senior Retail Operations Team (Patch Managers)
- Matchday Set‑Up Team
- Up to 200 casual staff across kiosks, bars, fan zones, and mobile units on matchdays
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Retail Leadership – develop and implement a strategic plan for retail growth across F&B, bars, kiosks, and fan zones; align operational plans with infrastructure projects and club‑wide growth.
- Operational Excellence – oversee daily operations of all retail functions including bars, food units, kiosks, mobile bars, and the fan zone; lead stock control, procurement, supplier relationships, and cost efficiency; manage cellar systems and general maintenance across all sites; oversee new and exciting food concepts and launch new offers.
- Customer Experience & Quality – ensure high standards in product quality, presentation, and service; comply with food hygiene, health & safety, and licensing regulations.
- Team Leadership & Development – recruit, train, and manage a high‑performing F&B team (supervisors, casual, and full‑time staff); plan matchday staffing effectively to align with match profile and service demand; set and monitor individual and team KPIs.
- Financial Performance & Reporting – own P&L responsibility for all retail operations; monitor sales, margins, and KPIs, delivering regular reporting to senior leadership; ensure efficient stock management, ordering, and wastage control.
- Fan Engagement & Commercial Partnerships – work with Commercial & Marketing to drive spend‑per‑head via promotions and activations; support wider C&E (Conferences & Events) operations with VIP and large‑scale events.
- Infrastructure & Project Delivery – lead retail improvement projects; coordinate with Facilities and Maintenance to ensure all upgrades and repairs are planned and delivered on time.
Person Specification
- Significant experience in senior retail / F&B leadership in a stadium, arena, large event, or greenfield setting.
- Proven track record of growing revenue, improving margins, and managing large teams.
- Strong people management and leadership skills across multi‑site, high‑pressure environments.
- Advanced operational knowledge: stock control, logistics, vendor negotiation, health & safety.
- Resilience and adaptability in high‑demand matchday environments.
- Excellent communicator with strong internal and external stakeholder management.
- Available to work evenings, weekends, and all matchdays.
What’s in it for you?
- Personal development and training opportunities.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Pension scheme.
- Holiday allowance.
- Access to a Healthcare Support App (annual health check, digital GP, mental health consultations, nutritional consultations, second medical opinion).
- Eye care.
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance.
- Family‑friendly support.
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders.
- A holiday purchase scheme.
- Volunteering days.
- Professional subscriptions.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Long‑service awards.
- Access to high‑street discount vouchers.
Head of Retail - Charlton employer: Gather & Gather
Contact Detail:
Gather & Gather Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail - Charlton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Gather & Gather. Attend events or join online groups where you can chat with folks who work in retail and F&B. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance for an interview or informal chat, let your passion for hospitality shine through. Share your ideas on enhancing fan experiences and how you’d bring energy and creativity to the role. We love a candidate who can think outside the box!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest in the Head of Retail position. A little initiative goes a long way, and it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for matchday scenarios! Since this role involves managing large teams during high-pressure events, think about how you’d handle various situations. Practise discussing your strategies for operational excellence and team leadership in a fast-paced environment. We want to see your game plan!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail - Charlton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Retail role. Highlight your leadership in F&B operations and any experience in high-pressure environments like stadia.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about enhancing fan experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved operational performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Achievements: Quantify your successes! Whether it’s revenue growth or team management, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. This will help us see the value you can bring to our retail operations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Gather & Gather!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gather & Gather
✨Know Your Venue
Familiarise yourself with Charlton Stadium and its unique character. Understand the local community's preferences and how Gather & Gather tailors its offerings to enhance fan experiences. This knowledge will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large teams in high-pressure environments. Discuss specific strategies you've implemented to improve team performance and customer satisfaction, especially during matchdays or large events. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the dynamic retail operations effectively.
✨Emphasise Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with P&L management and how you've driven revenue growth in previous roles. Highlight any successful initiatives you've led that improved margins or reduced costs, as this is crucial for the Head of Retail position.
✨Engage with Fan Experience
Think about ways to enhance fan engagement through promotions or activations. Prepare ideas that align with Gather & Gather's mission to elevate the guest experience. Sharing innovative concepts during the interview can set you apart and show your proactive approach to the role.
