Gallery & Retail Lead: Curate, Sell & Inspire Craft

University of the Arts London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Cockpit in the City seeks an experienced Gallery & Retail Manager to lead a new space from day one, curating exhibitions, building a commercial retail offer, and delivering events. You will manage a small team and act as the face of Cockpit in the City, delivering a rotating programme and growing audiences.

The role combines a genuine passion for craft with strong operational, commercial and people-management skills, with occasional evening and weekend events required.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a gallery, retail space or similar venue.
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for craft, design and independent makers.
• Experience in retail, sales, stock and merchandising.
• Experience delivering events, programmes and marketing activity.
• Experience managing a small team.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365.
• Flexible to support occasional evening and weekend events.
• Experience with EPOS, CRM or gallery software.
• Photoshop and social media scheduling skills.
• Experience with project management software.

Responsibilities

• Manage the gallery and retail programme.
• Curate and manage exhibitions and retail stock.
• Plan and deliver events, workshops and talks.
• Oversee installations, packing, shipping and presentation of artwork.
• Lead and support the gallery team.
• Manage the space, budget and day-to-day operations.
• Work with the marketing team to promote the programme and grow audiences.
• Build relationships with makers, customers and cultural partners.
• Represent Cockpit and its makers to visitors and the wider public.

Skills

Gallery & Retail management

Craft & design knowledge

Retail sales & merchandising

Event delivery

Team leadership

Communication skills

Independent / self-motivated

Microsoft 365

Evening/weekend availability

EPOS/CRM systems

Adobe Photoshop

Social media scheduling

Project management software

EPOS systems

CRM software

Gallery software

Tools

EPOS systems

CRM software

Gallery software

Microsoft 365

Job description

Cockpit in the City seeks an experienced Gallery & Retail Manager to lead a new space from day one, curating exhibitions, building a commercial retail offer, and delivering events. You will manage a small team and act as the face of Cockpit in the City, delivering a rotating programme and growing audiences.

The role combines a genuine passion for craft with strong operational, commercial and people-management skills, with occasional evening and weekend events required.