Job title: Store Manager (40 hours per week, over Monday-Sunday)
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract
Location: Central London
Reports to: Brand Director
Department: Brand Team
The School of Life
We are a passionate group of people on a mission to bring about healing, growth, calm and self-understanding. We derive our ideas from psychology, psychotherapy, philosophy, art and culture. As our name, The School of Life, suggests, we are here to teach people how life can be lived and what can make it truly worthwhile, effective and fulfilling. We do this via our articles, books, app, films, therapeutic services and corporate offering.
About the role and opportunity
This is the role that keeps our brand new concept store in Central London running day to day - a small but ambitious hybrid of shop, Conversation Café and cultural venue. As Store Manager, you'll take overall responsibility for store performance, lead the team, own stock and shop operations, and make sure every visitor - whether they've come for a book or a conversation, leaves having had a genuinely good experience. You'll also be TSOL's main point of contact with the on-site facilities team.
Key Responsibilities
Store Performance & Customer Experience
- Overall responsibility for store performance, sales targets and customer experience
- Ensure every visitor interaction reflects TSOL's values and tone
- Champion the wider vision of the space as "more like a library or a chapel than a shop"
Store Operations
- Opening and closing the store
- Till reconciliation and daily sales reporting
- Line management of Supervisor and Support Staff, including rotas across opening hours
- Set the standard for how the space is run - warm, unhurried, true to TSOL's tone
- Training and onboarding new team members
- Stock management, replenishment and supplier liaison, working with our Head Office Operations team
- Implementing visual merchandising standards, keeping shop presentation to TSOL's visual and brand guidelines
- Support the calendar of micro-events — evening seminars, themed weeks, pop-up talks and guided conversations; led by our Head of Events & Experiences who is based at our Head Office
- Ensure the Conversation Café format runs smoothly and consistently
Stakeholder Relationships & Reporting
- Act as TSOL's main point of contact with the facilities and on-site teams
- Troubleshoot day-to-day operational issues (deliveries, maintenance, access)
- Reporting to Head Office on sales, footfall and operational issues
Candidate Profile
- A genuine interest in, or education in, philosophy, psychotherapy or a related field
- An interest in art, history and culture
- Proven experience managing a small team and running store/site operations, ideally in a retail space within an arts or cultural venue
- Confident with stock management, ordering, and cash handling/reconciliation
- Comfortable representing TSOL to an external partner and managing that relationship day to day
- A willingness to learn, evolve and adapt
- Proactive, practical and lots of initiative
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Nice to have
- Experience coordinating events or public programming
- Outgoing and driven work ethic with ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Excited about team and personal growth
What you'll get from us..
- To work with a diverse team of brilliant minds!
- A culture focused on growth & personal development
- £500 per year learning budget
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Up to 5 days per year unpaid holiday
- 1 extra holiday day per year of service
- 50% discount across all School of Life Products
- Participation in The School of Life personal development sessions
- Enhanced Maternity pay
The School of Life is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.
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Store Manager (TSOL Store) employer: The School of Life
At The School of Life, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises personal growth and well-being. As a Website & UX Manager, you'll be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact, with access to a generous learning budget, hybrid working options, and unique benefits like office gym facilities and personal development sessions. Join us in our mission to enhance lives through creativity and insight, all while enjoying the dynamic atmosphere of our London WC1 location.
