Merchandise Trading and Operations Manager (9 months Maternity Cover)
Company: Arts Students' Union
Location: London Area
Type: Full-time
Level: lead
Posted: 2026-02-25
About this role
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.
The post holder is expected to work on campus 4 days a week.
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 y...