Retail Senior Merchandiser

The opportunity

University of the Arts London is investing in the growth and development of its retail offer, and we’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Merchandiser to help shape its future.

 

This is a rare opportunity to take a leading role in building an ambitious, insight-led merchandising function within a globally recognised creative institution. Working alongside the Associate Director for Accommodation, Catering and Retail, the Buyer and the wider Retail team, this role will lead financial and product planning and trading to maximize sales profitability and opportunity.

 

You will take ownership of financial planning, range planning, forecasting and trading performance. With ownership of core processes and commercial decision-making, you will help create an agile, data-driven retail operation that reflects the creativity, values and aspirations of UAL’s vibrant community.

 

If you are excited by the chance to build, influence and make a visible impact within a purpose-led retail environment, we would love to hear from you.

 

Your profile

You will bring strong experience in omnichannel merchandising, ideally across both commercial and charity retail environments, with a track record of managing multi-million-pound budgets and delivering effective seasonal and financial plans.

 

You’ll be confident analysing data and using insights to inform decisions, identifying risks and opportunities, and shaping strategies that improve performance. Your communication and leadership style will enable you to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partners, while supporting and guiding the Retail Buyer and wider team.

 

You’ll be passionate about delivering innovative, high-quality product ranges that reflect UAL’s brand and customers, and you’ll bring energy, creativity and a solution-focused approach to a fast-paced retail environment.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Start your application

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.