Gallery & Retail Manager

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

We’re looking for an experienced, entrepreneurial Gallery & Retail Manager to spearhead this new space from day one. You’ll take full responsibility for its day-to-day running and long-term success — curating and delivering a rotating exhibition programme alongside Cockpit’s CEO, building a commercially successful retail offer of maker-made work, and hosting a lively events programme of workshops, talks, and private views. You’ll manage a small team, including a Gallery & Retail Assistant, and act as the face of Cockpit in the City.

This is a senior hands-on role is suited to someone who combines a genuine passion for contemporary craft with strong commercial, operational, and people management instincts.

Below is an indicative 2 year programme:

• - c.12 gallery exhibitions
• - Up to 24 private views, talks, and demonstrations
• - Quarterly youth & community outreach activities

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 and Experience Required

• 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.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibility. We are committed to offering a working environment where everyone is valued and feels appreciated.