Assistant Manager

Elite Associates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Associates is seeking an experienced Assistant Manager for a premier haute horlogerie boutique within a leading luxury department store in London. You will work closely with the Boutique Director to guide day-to-day operations, sales performance and client relationships.

The ideal candidate has a proven luxury retail leadership track record, strong coaching skills and a client-focused approach to delivering exceptional service in a high-end environment.

Qualifications

• Established luxury retail management experience with team leadership.
• Proven track record of coaching and developing teams.
• Strong clienteling and relationship-building with high-net-worth clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop an experienced team, elevating performance.
• Establish accountability and drive continuous improvement.
• Address performance concerns and manage conflicts professionally.
• Motivate team and adapt leadership to personalities and seniority.
• Partner with Boutique Director on development opportunities and succession planning.
• Oversee daily boutique operations and ensure standards.

Skills

Luxury retail management

People leadership

Clienteling

Sales targets

Storytelling

Tools

Excel

Job description

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Assistant Manager to join one of the world's most prestigious haute horlogerie Maisons within London's leading luxury department store.

Renowned for its technical excellence, precision engineering and uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship, the Maison offers an extraordinary proposition for clients who appreciate the very finest in luxury watchmaking.

Working closely with the Boutique Director, you will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day leadership and success of the boutique. While the Boutique Director brings considerable strength in client development and commercial strategy, this position offers the opportunity to complement that expertise through strong people leadership, team development and operational excellence.

This role is ideally suited to an established luxury retail manager who can confidently lead an experienced team, drive accountability and cultivate a positive, high-performing culture, while remaining actively involved in sales and client relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop an experienced team, elevating individual performance and strengthening overall team effectiveness.
• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement through regular coaching, constructive feedback and performance reviews.
• Confidently address performance concerns, navigate challenging conversations and resolve team conflicts proactively and professionally.
• Motivate and engage experienced team members, adapting your leadership style to different personalities and levels of seniority.
• Partner with the Boutique Director to identify development opportunities, strengthen team capability and support succession planning.
• Oversee daily boutique operations, ensuring processes, procedures and standards are consistently maintained.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills and attention to detail across reporting, administration, stock management and operational controls.
• Utilise Excel confidently to support reporting, analyse performance and maintain accurate operational records.
• Uphold the highest standards of presentation, compliance and service within the Harrods environment.
• Maintain an active presence on the boutique floor, personally delivering exceptional service and achieving individual sales targets.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with High-Net-Worth clients and discerning collectors through sophisticated clienteling and personalised engagement.
• Demonstrate the confidence and commercial ability to introduce clients to a considered luxury proposition, particularly where sales require a consultative approach and strong storytelling.
• Support the boutique's wider commercial objectives by identifying opportunities, strengthening client loyalty and maximising sales potential.
• Deliver memorable client experiences that reflect the Maison's heritage, exclusivity and technical expertise.

Brand Representation & Collaboration

• Act as an ambassador for the Maison, communicating its values, heritage and craftsmanship with authenticity and confidence.
• Work in close partnership with the Boutique Director, complementing the existing leadership structure through a strong focus on people management and operational delivery.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders, demonstrating an understanding of the expectations and standards associated with a world-class luxury department store.

About You

The successful candidate will bring:

• Established luxury retail management experience, with a proven track record of leading, coaching and developing teams. This is an experienced management hire rather than a step-up opportunity.
• Demonstrable success in improving team performance, managing challenging situations and leading experienced individuals with confidence and credibility.
• A strong operational mindset, with excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence using Excel.
• A proven track record in luxury sales, clienteling and achieving individual commercial targets.
• The ability to build rapport naturally with HNW and UHNW clients, delivering sophisticated, personalised and commercially effective client experiences.
• Experience working with a considered or challenging-to-sell luxury proposition, where product knowledge, storytelling, relationship-building and client education are essential to success.
• An understanding of Harrods or a comparable premium department store environment, including its service expectations and operational complexity.
• A hands-on, approachable and commercially minded leadership style, balancing high standards with the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Previous watchmaking experience is not essential. We welcome candidates from other luxury categories who can demonstrate the right leadership capability, commercial achievements and understanding of exceptional client service.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join an internationally respected luxury Maison and play a meaningful role in shaping team performance within one of London's most prestigious retail destinations.

For an accomplished luxury retail leader, the position offers the chance to combine people development, operational responsibility and high-level client engagement within an environment where precision, excellence and long-term relationships are at the heart of everything.