At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and elevate retail spaces, creating memorable visitor experiences at Kew.
- Company: Join the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts on gyms and museums.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to equity, inclusion, and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape inspiring retail environments and connect visitors to nature's stories.
- Qualifications: Strong retail experience, leadership skills, and a passion for customer service.
We’re looking for an exceptional retail leader to shape and elevate our retail environments at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. At the heart of the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this is an opportunity to lead vibrant retail spaces that inspire curiosity, deliver memorable visitor experiences, and bring the Kew brand to life through exceptional service, retail theatre, and commercial excellence.
As Retail Experience Manager, you’ll lead and develop a large multi-site team, creating engaging, beautifully executed retail environments that connect visitors to the stories, seasons, and spirit of Kew. From immersive visual merchandising and experiential pop-ups to operational excellence and team culture, you’ll play a key role in shaping how hundreds of thousands of visitors experience retail across the gardens each year.
This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, customer-focused environments and is passionate about creating inspiring experiences, developing people, and driving high standards across every detail of the shop floor. You will have strong retail experience within a visitor attraction or commercial environment, with proven expertise in visual merchandising, multi-site retail management, and leading high-performing teams.
Commercially aware and highly organised, you will use data, customer insight, and analytical skills to drive performance, efficiency, and excellent customer service standards. You will demonstrate excellent communication and IT skills, confidence in managing staff performance, and a keen eye for detail. Experience within a high-footfall environment and knowledge of EPoS or Microsoft D365 systems would be advantageous.
This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history. Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.
The salary for this position is £44,479 per annum [Grade 5]. Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.
Retail Experience Manager employer: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As a Retail Experience Manager, you will lead a passionate team in a unique environment that inspires curiosity and creativity, while benefiting from a generous benefits package, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Join us in our mission to protect and celebrate the world's plants and fungi, all while enjoying the beauty of our gardens and the support of a diverse community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Experience Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Kew's mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend events related to Kew. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and scenarios specific to retail management. Think about how you would create engaging retail environments and inspire your team at Kew.
✨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 Kew team!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Experience Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for retail shine through! Share specific examples of how you've created memorable experiences in previous roles, and how you can bring that same energy to Kew.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Retail Experience Manager, you'll be leading a large team. Make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've developed teams and fostered a positive culture in fast-paced environments.
Be Data-Driven:We love candidates who can use data to drive performance! In your application, mention any experience you have with using customer insights or analytics to improve retail operations and enhance customer service.
Tailor Your Application:Don't just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the role at Kew. Use keywords from the job description and show us why you're the perfect fit for our vibrant retail spaces.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
✨Know Your Retail Environment
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the retail environment at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Familiarise yourself with their current retail offerings, visual merchandising strategies, and customer engagement practices. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how you can elevate their retail spaces.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-site teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to achieve high standards. Be ready to discuss your approach to developing people and fostering a positive team culture, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Since the role focuses on creating memorable visitor experiences, come prepared with ideas on how to enhance customer interactions. Discuss any past initiatives you've implemented that improved customer satisfaction or engagement, and be ready to share insights on using data and customer feedback to drive performance.
✨Be Ready with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. Ask about their vision for the retail spaces, how they measure success, and what challenges they foresee. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career goals.
