At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to redefine retail and partnerships at the London Museum.
- Company: Join the London Museum during an exciting transformation at Smithfield.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape cultural experiences and make a lasting impact in a vibrant museum setting.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in retail or product-led commercial activity required.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
London Museum is entering a generational moment of transformation. As we prepare to open our new flagship home at Smithfield, we are redefining what a museum can be and retail, publishing and partnerships are central to that ambition.
You’ll lead a team of three direct reports: a Retail Buyer, Retail Operations Manager and Ecommerce Manager, shaping how the Museum's ideas, stories and identity extend beyond the visit. This is a senior, delivery-critical, hands-on role that sits at the heart of our Smithfield opening, editorially driven and commercially serious, building a distinctive offer rooted in London, culture and contemporary life.
You’ll have senior experience leading retail or product-led commercial activity, with direct responsibility for buying, product development and range curation, not just oversight. You’ll be commercially literate and editorially confident, with the ability to translate cultural intent into coherent, commercially strong outputs, balancing margin, taste and long-term value over short-term volume.
Previous experience of working in a museum is not required. We are looking for someone who has experience of commissioning and developing products from concept through to production, strong commercial literacy across buying, margin and stock, and clear evidence of taste and editorial judgement in building culturally rooted, public-facing product and publishing programmes.
London Museum is committed to being an equitable and inclusive employer, and to becoming representative of the diversity of London. We particularly welcome applications from people from Global Majority backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in our organisation. We also welcome applications from disabled people, as we’re a Disability Confident Leader and are committed to recruiting, retaining and developing disabled people.
Head Of Retail, Publishing and Partnerships employer: Museum of London
Contact Detail:
Museum of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Retail, Publishing and Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the London Museum inside out! Familiarise yourself with their mission, values, and current projects. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their transformation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insights about the culture and expectations. This can give you an edge in understanding what they value in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how your experience aligns with their needs. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past work in retail or product development that demonstrate your commercial literacy and editorial judgement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your passion for culture and contemporary life! Bring your ideas on how to create culturally rooted products and partnerships to the table. This will help you stand out as someone who can contribute to their vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Retail, Publishing and Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Retail role. Highlight your commercial literacy and any relevant product development experience to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re passionate about this role. Share your vision for how retail, publishing, and partnerships can transform the museum experience and connect with our cultural identity.
Showcase Your Editorial Judgement: We want to see evidence of your taste and editorial judgement. Include examples of past projects where you’ve successfully translated cultural ideas into commercially viable products or programmes.
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 at London Museum.
How to prepare for a job interview at Museum of London
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the museum's mission and how retail, publishing, and partnerships play a role in that. Research their current offerings and think about how you can enhance them. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but also in the museum’s vision.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles in retail or product-led commercial activity. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, developed products, and made decisions that balance margin and taste. This is your chance to demonstrate your commercial literacy and editorial judgement.
✨Be Hands-On
Since this role is delivery-critical and hands-on, be prepared to talk about your approach to managing a team and getting things done. Share stories that highlight your ability to lead by example and your commitment to seeing projects through from concept to production.
✨Embrace the Culture
Understand the cultural context of London and how it influences the museum's identity. Think about how you can create culturally rooted products and publishing programmes. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’re aligned with their goals.