At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage licensing portfolio and develop exciting products for Aston Villa fans worldwide.
- Company: Join the iconic Aston Villa Football Club in a dynamic retail environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy fantastic staff benefits, flexible hours, and a vibrant team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth while working in a passionate football community.
- Why this job: Be part of a historic club and help shape its global brand presence.
- Qualifications: Experience in brand licensing or retail, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28035 - 34265 £ per year.
London Office with frequent travel to Bodymoor Heath Training Ground. At Aston Villa Football Club, our Retail and Licensing department plays a vital role in the club's commercial success and fan engagement. We take pride in offering a wide variety of high-quality football merchandise and leisurewear to our fans, both online and in-store, while maintaining a strong connection to our brand and culture. As the Club has grown, we have expanded and enhanced our product offering and brought our fans across the world closer to the Club through products they love.
The Role
We have a fantastic, new opportunity for a Retail Licensing Manager to join our growing team. Working closely with the Head of Licensing, you will help shape and grow Aston Villa's licensing portfolio across both traditional and digital categories. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of one of football's most recognisable brands, identifying new commercial opportunities, supporting negotiations with prospective partners, and helping to deliver products that engage fans around the world. You will collaborate with multiple teams across the Club and play a vital role in driving the success of our licensing programme both in the UK and internationally.
You will be responsible for managing the relationships with our current portfolio of licensees and retail partners ensuring excellent account management whilst also ensuring smooth operational efficiency ensuring products are developed, distributed and marketed in a way that reflects our Club’s values and brand standards. You will be involved in supporting product approvals, monitoring commercial performance, conducting market research and identifying new growth opportunities.
The Person
You will have experience in brand licensing, retail or consumer products, ideally with exposure to marketing, buying or merchandising. You will be an excellent communicator with the ability to develop relationships with licensees, retailers and internal stakeholders. Strong presentation and interpersonal skills are essential, as you'll be working collaboratively across multiple departments while representing Aston Villa’s brand and values to external partners.
You will be comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously, balancing a varied workload and ensuring deadlines are met whilst ensuring attention to detail. You will also have a good understanding of the product development lifecycle and how products are ranged and sold at retail.
You must be able to work flexible hours as the Club requires, this will include matchday and events working evenings and weekends. You will be predominantly based in the Club’s London Office but you must have the ability to travel to Bodymoor Heath Training Ground and Villa Park frequently.
Why Join Us?
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us!
The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embraces equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club.
Retail Licensing Manager Aston Villa Football Club in London employer: Kick It Out
Brighton & Hove Albion FC is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on collaboration and innovation. As a Marketing Lead, you'll have the opportunity to drive impactful marketing strategies in a dynamic environment, with access to professional development and growth opportunities within the sports and hospitality sectors. Located in the heart of Brighton, you’ll enjoy a unique blend of work-life balance and the excitement of being part of a renowned football club.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Licensing Manager Aston Villa Football Club in London
✨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 Kick It Out, 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 Kick It Out!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Licensing Manager Aston Villa Football Club in London
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 Kick It Out, 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 Kick It Out 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 Kick It Out that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kick It Out
✨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!
