At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage daily operations of the gift shop and create memorable customer experiences.
- Company: Join Wake The Tiger, a creative force behind the world's first Amazement Park®.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £37,000, inclusive work culture, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that inspires change through immersive art and storytelling.
- Qualifications: Customer-focused, strong communication skills, and experience in retail management.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 37000 £ per year.
Role: Gift Shop Manager
Start date: August 2026
Hours: 40 hrs per week - full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £37000 depending on experience
Location: Wake The Tiger, London
Reporting to: Head of Commercial
Vision & Values
- INSPIRE - We inspire positive change through awe and amazement.
- DISRUPT - We disrupt by taking risks and challenging convention.
- BELIEVE - We believe action today can change the world tomorrow.
Who We Are
Wake The Tiger is a radical creative company born in the South West and the visionary force behind the world’s first Amazement Park®. We fuse immersive art, storytelling, and purpose to create unforgettable experiences that disrupt the norm and ignite transformation. Following the success of our Bristol site, we’re expanding to London in 2026 with an all-new immersive world designed to spark imagination and challenge perception on a whole new scale. Our mission is simple: We create immersive experiences for everyone, where art, storytelling and purpose collide - to inspire change today that transforms the world tomorrow.
The Role
We are recruiting for a Gift Shop Manager to join and complement a fantastic team in an immersive work environment. The Gift Shop Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the shop, ensuring every visitor enjoys an exceptional and memorable experience. This role oversees all aspects of retail operations, including inventory management, stock control, product sourcing and procurement, and the replenishment of existing product lines to maintain optimal stock levels. Alongside operational duties, the Gift Shop Manager plays a key role in shaping the look and feel of the shop, developing and implementing creative visual merchandising strategies that enhance the customer’s journey, maximise sales and create an engaging, inspiring environment.
You Will be Responsible For
- Line managing shop staff, providing training, mentoring and performance guidance.
- Assisting with the recruitment, induction, and training of new shop team members.
- Maintaining and updating shop documentation, policies, procedures and operational manuals.
- Delivering excellent customer service by responding to enquiries, and effectively resolving feedback or concerns.
- Managing and processing all stock orders and maintaining accurate inventory records using Shopify.
- Conducting regular stock takes to ensure inventory accuracy and support daily shop operation.
- Collaborating with the marketing team to implement promotional displays and campaigns.
- Managing and updating POS signage with the design team.
- Sourcing new product lines for sign-off by the head of commercial.
- Briefing and working closely with the designers, Commercial Assistant and Head of Commercial to develop product designs.
- Briefing and working closely with merchandise manufacturers to develop new products.
- Maintaining the online store in conjunction with the wider team.
- Managing and fulfilling online shop orders and customer emails.
You’ll Bring the Following to Our Team
- Customer-focused approach - enjoyment working with the general public in a team supervisory role.
- Solution focused team player willing to lead by example - all hands on deck environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and active listening skills, with confidence engaging internal teams and suppliers.
- Curiosity about the team, customers and the business as a whole.
- Happy to work in a physical role - on your feet and actively engaging with customers.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Commercial, trends and customer behaviour awareness and an interest in revenue growth.
- Experience in stock control, inventory management.
- Willingness to work weekends and evenings.
- Cash Handling experience including cashing up.
- Interest in visual merchandising and immersive, narrative merchandise and retail.
- Strong initiative and attention to detail and the ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience using Adobe Photoshop or other design platforms.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Wake the Tiger, we prioritise inclusive and fair recruitment practices. We value diversity in all its forms and welcome candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, age, or religion. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
Apply
Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications/skills and more or less experience may apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications, and training.
GDPR
Please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data if you apply for a role.
Gift Shop Manager employer: Wake The Tiger
Wake The Tiger is an innovative and inspiring employer, dedicated to creating immersive experiences that challenge the norm and ignite transformation. As a Gift Shop Manager in our new London location, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values creativity, collaboration, and personal growth, with opportunities for professional development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us in shaping unforgettable experiences while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gift Shop Manager
✨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 Wake The Tiger, 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 Wake The Tiger!
We think you need these skills to ace Gift Shop Manager
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 Wake The Tiger, 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 Wake The Tiger 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 Wake The Tiger that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wake The Tiger
✨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!
