Assistant Business Manager, Harrods

Assistant Business Manager, Harrods

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
La Prairie Switzerland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to deliver exceptional luxury skincare experiences at Harrods.
  • Company: Join La Prairie, a prestigious brand in the luxury skincare industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, product discounts, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Exciting career growth potential in a vibrant luxury retail environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that transforms customer interactions into luxury experiences.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for skincare and cosmetics.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about retail and are driven by the world of luxury skincare and prestige cosmetics? As an Assistant Business Manager for La Prairie at Harrods, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the Business Manager to lead and grow our beautiful brand at Harrods, London, including our Spa treatment room. This is an exceptional opportunity as Harrods accounts for 60% of our UK & Ireland Business.

You will lead and manage a team of up to ten consultants, driving performance, fostering engagement, and contributing to business growth while ensuring the delivery of exceptional client experiences. The successful candidate will inspire and act as a role model to the team, providing best‑in‑class service and transforming every customer interaction into a true luxury experience. Your goal will be to strengthen the brand’s positions within the skincare and makeup category, in full alignment with the brand’s strategic vision and roadmaps.

Main Responsibilities

  • Set and monitor daily team objectives, adapting focus throughout the day to maximise performance and support key launches and promotional activity.
  • Deliver a high standard of customer service by actively engaging clients, identifying their needs, asking appropriate follow‑up questions, and offering personalised skincare consultations.
  • Ensure every customer is introduced to the collections to enhance the overall client experience.
  • Proactively plan and organise external events to drive business growth and increase brand awareness.
  • Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date customer records within the EPOS system.
  • Ensuring excellence in Spa operations and client service, being the main point of contact for retail and spa coordination.

Counter Performance & Sales

  • Work with the Business Manager on the business plan to define and monitor weekly sales targets, providing clear rationale and regular performance updates.
  • Plan and deliver tailored events and in‑store (on‑counter) activities to support achievement of the business plan, while maintaining strong awareness of competitor activity.
  • Ensure all required paperwork and administrative tasks are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
  • Maintain accurate stock levels, optimise stock ageing, manage tester availability, and implement timely corrective actions where required.
  • Proactively manage team absences to ensure consistent and effective counter coverage.
  • Ensure full accuracy and compliance in all sales reporting, including use of IPPOS and clienteling systems.

Spa Performance & Sales

  • Be the main point of contact for spa bookings, working alongside the PR manager, collaborating with Harrods concierge, supporting in training the Harrods call centre team and driving occupancy and retail performance.
  • Drive the team to achieve individual paid Spa appointment targets.
  • Ensure and track appointment bookings so that the occupancy target is met for the Spa.
  • Engage and coach the Harrods team about Spa Services to increase appointments and loyalty to the brand.

Team Development & Performance Management

  • In partnership with the Business Manager, lead, coach, and develop a team of Beauty Consultants, Makeup Artists, Spa Consultants, and stock controller ensuring excellence in performance, conduct, and client service.
  • Build and motivate high‑performing teams that consistently meet or exceed KPIs.
  • Partner with the Retail Education Manager to analyse KPIs, identify training needs, and enhance sell‑out performance.

Marketing & Merchandising Implementation

  • Ensure flawless execution of in‑store marketing activities in line with brand guidelines and strategy.
  • Maintain strict adherence to merchandising standards, optimising use of collateral, samples, and visual assets to maximise retail impact.
  • Uphold the La Prairie luxury image through impeccable counter presentation and consultant grooming standards.

Store relationship & Communication

  • Stay informed about current and new business initiatives and provide feedback to the Business Manager & Training Manager.
  • Ensure you are up to date at all times with HO emails and feedback to the team.
  • Ensure EPOS accuracy and compliance.
  • Read the Training Manual and Visual Merchandising Guidelines, actioning all relevant points.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with all store-based colleagues.
  • In partnership with the Business Manager, identify and leverage local opportunities for events, additional retail spaces, and personal shopping initiatives to drive brand visibility and sales.

In return, La Prairie & Chantecaille offer:

  • A competitive salary and discretionary commission scheme.
  • 33 holiday days (including bank holidays).
  • Generous product allocation & discount.
  • Long Service Awards starting with 3 years’ service.
  • A free product to try every time there is a new launch.
  • Contributory pension scheme – 5% employer contribution.
  • A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally.
  • 24/7 Access to Employee Assistance Programme called Lyrahealth.
  • Annual performance reviews so you know your career is going in the right direction.

Reports to Harrods Business Manager. In the absence of the Business Manager, the Assistant Business Manager will report into the Head of Retail. We look forward to receiving your application.

Assistant Business Manager, Harrods employer: La Prairie Switzerland

At La Prairie, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on luxury skincare and prestige cosmetics. Located in the iconic Harrods, our team enjoys competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and extensive personal and professional development opportunities, all while delivering unparalleled client experiences. Join us to be part of a high-performing team that values engagement, innovation, and excellence in every customer interaction.

La Prairie Switzerland

Contact Details:

La Prairie Switzerland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Business Manager, Harrods

Tip Number 1

Get to know the brand inside out! Research La Prairie and its products, especially their luxury skincare lines. This will help you speak confidently about the brand during interviews and show your genuine passion for what they do.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Assistant Business Manager role at Harrods.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for role-play scenarios! Since this position involves customer interaction, practice how you'd handle various client situations. This will help you demonstrate your customer service skills and ability to create a luxury experience.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at La Prairie.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Business Manager, Harrods

Team Leadership
Customer Service Excellence
Sales Performance Management
Event Planning
Client Engagement
Retail Operations Management
KPI Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for luxury skincare and retail shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the brand and the role, so don’t hold back on sharing your enthusiasm.

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in retail or team management. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team, so share examples of how you've done this in the past!

Be Client-Focused:Since exceptional client experiences are key, include any specific instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for customers. We love seeing how you’ve made a difference in previous roles!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Harrods.

How to prepare for a job interview at La Prairie Switzerland

Know Your Brand Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into La Prairie's brand values, product lines, and recent campaigns. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their luxury image and customer experience will show your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As an Assistant Business Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or motivated a team in the past. Highlight specific instances where you drove performance or improved team dynamics, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Prepare for Customer Engagement Scenarios

Expect questions about how you would handle various customer interactions. Think of scenarios where you provided exceptional service or resolved issues effectively. This will demonstrate your ability to enhance the client experience, which is crucial for this role.

Be Ready to Discuss Sales Strategies

Familiarise yourself with sales metrics and strategies relevant to the luxury retail sector. Be prepared to discuss how you would set and monitor sales targets, plan events, and respond to competitor activity. Showing that you understand the business side of things will set you apart.