Retail Operations Manager (hospitality)

Retail Operations Manager - Experiential/Immersive Retail Agency - London (with UK & international travel)

Are you a Retail Operations Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of ambitious, culture shaping retail and brand experiences?

DNA Recruit are working for an award winning experiential agency who are known for creating immersive retail environments and live brand spaces that place brands firmly into culture to find them a Retail Operations Manager. Working across some of the world's most recognisable names, they blend creativity with operational precision to deliver experiences that make headlines and work flawlessly behind the scenes.

This is a senior, highly visible role for someone who thrives on complexity, scale and real world execution, taking ownership of flagship retail environments from concept through to live operation.

About the Role

As Retail Operations Manager, you'll take responsibility for the end to end operational delivery of immersive retail and experiential spaces across multiple brands and markets. You'll work closely with Client Service, Creative and Production teams to turn bold ideas into robust, scalable operational models, ensuring every space opens on time, runs smoothly and delivers an exceptional guest experience. You'll lead new store openings, oversee live environments, and continuously refine operational frameworks to support growth, consistency and commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities Retail & Experiential Operations

• Lead the operational delivery of immersive retail environments across multiple locations and brands
• Ensure each space launches on time, within budget and to exceptional operational and experience standards
• Develop scalable operational frameworks to support multi site and multi market rollouts
• Balance global brand standards with local legal, cultural and operational requirements
• Act as the senior operational contact for clients, partners and suppliers

New Store Openings

• Oversee project timelines, budgets, risk management and supplier coordination
• Manage contractors, fabricators, landlords, local authorities and operational partners
• Ensure health & safety compliance and operational readiness across all locations
• Own the transition from build phase to live operation, establishing clear handover processes
• Capture learnings and evolve playbooks for future launches

Live Operations & Optimisation

• Oversee day to day performance of live retail and brand environments
• Ensure consistent guest experience, service standards and brand execution
• Implement reporting, governance and issue resolution processes
• Support seasonal updates, refits and evolving experiential programmes
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost and elevate experience quality

Financial & Commercial Management

• Own operational budgets for new openings and live environments
• Maintain cost control without compromising creative or experience quality
• Identify opportunities to improve margins through smarter operational planning
• Forecast operational costs and support long term client investment planning

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and motivate internal teams, partners and suppliers
• Build strong cross functional relationships with Client Service, Creative and Production
• Provide calm, decisive leadership in high pressure environments
• Share best practice and operational expertise across the agency

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in retail operations, experiential, brand environments or complex physical spaces
• Looking for someone with experience in the hospitality sector
• Strong track record delivering new store openings or multi site rollouts
• Confident managing budgets, suppliers and senior stakeholders
• Excellent operational planning, problem solving and decision making skills
• Comfortable working at pace in fast moving, creative environments
• A collaborative, solutions focused leader with strong commercial awareness

Salary & Details

• Salary: Up to £70 75k per annum
• Location: London (Hybrid, with UK & international travel)
• Job Reference: AW 11852

DNA is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.