Merchandise Trading and Operations Manager (9 months Maternity Cover)

Arts Students' Union

WC2N, London (Hybrid)

Holborn, Greater London

£40,746 - £40,747.8 per year

Full-time

Contract (9 months)

Save Saved

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced, delivery-focused manager to lead our event-led merchandise trading offer during a maternity cover. This is a hands-on role for someone who can keep business-as-usual running smoothly while delivering pop-ups and two major retail peaks: Welcome and Graduation.
You will be accountable for planning and delivering our merchandise trading, including trading plans, stock management, supplier coordination, fulfilment, visual merchandising across campuses, and post-event review. You’ll also lead the development of our range, commissioning limited-edition lines and launching a small number of new initiatives/product lines aligned with creating a sense of belonging and sustainability.
As well as trading, you will line-manage our Operations and Front of House Coordinator, setting objectives, providing support and development, and ensuring front-of-house delivery and event logistics are well organised. You’ll maintain the core operational cycle linked to trading, including budget oversight, retail systems/reporting, and essential compliance/insurance processes, so that the post-holder returns to a stable, well-run service.
We’re looking for strong retail/trading judgement, excellent organisation, confident people management, and a collaborative style – someone who can work at pace, prioritise effectively, and deliver consistently during peak periods.

JOB PURPOSE
- To manage the development of the Students’ Union’s merchandise retail operation
- To manage the provision of the central operational services

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Indicative time allocation across the contract term (varies across the year, with peaks around Welcome and Graduation; delivery logistics supported by the Coordinator):
- Retail – 65%
- Front of House – 10%
- Central Operational Services – 10%
- Office Management – 5%
- Leading a high-performing team – 10%
Benefits and Perks :

In return for your passion and experience, we offer:

A summer 4-day working week – we have a four day working week during the months of July & August
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holidays per year, increasing at the rate of one day per full year served after the end of your second year of employment up to a maximum of 5 days
- A three-week closure during the festive period incorporating the three UK bank holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day). This is approximately 12 additional leave days.
- A six-day closure during spring incorporating the two UK bank holidays (Good Friday and Easter Monday). Therefore, closure dates are from Thursday before Good Friday to Tuesday after Bank Holiday Monday. These are 2 additional leave days.
- Birthday Leave
- 2 days of Volunteering Leave
- Religious Festival Leave (up to 2 days)
- Cycle to Work scheme, enabling significant savings on bicycle purchase
- Flexible/ hybrid working arrangements
- Access to UAL staff training courses
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Family-friendly employer
Recruitment Timeline :
Application closes : 15th March 2026
Intended Interview Date: 25th March 2026

Please Note: To be considered, you must have the right to work in the UK or a valid work permit/visa.