Retail Operations Manager

Organisation: Aston Villa Football Club
Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum dependent on experience
Location: Birmingham
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 2 September 2025
Job Description: Department: Retail & Licensing Department

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week (including evenings and weekends)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum dependent on experience

Location: Bodymoor Training Ground / Villa Park

Closing Date: Tuesday 2 September 2025

Interview Date: Mid-September 2025

1. The Department
The Club are continuing our rapid growth trajectory both on and off the pitch, further expanding our commercial footprint with the expansion of our Retail Department, who are responsible for carrying out the front-line selling, driving sales revenue and maintaining high retail standards through both customer-facing and back-of-house operations.

2. The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Retail Operations Manager to join our Retail Team. This role will work closely with the Head of Retail Operations in growing the Club’s retail revenues and profits by driving omni channel developments. A key focus of this role will be to build and deliver the Club’s retail operational strategy, ensuring we have the best in class end to end supply chain.

You will work closely and liaise with our supply partners to oversee product development and the approval process to ensure that the Club’s merchandise is innovative and of the highest quality to drive revenue. You will also play a part in kit approvals and launches ensuring they are managed timely and effective manner. You will also work closely and manage part of the Retail Team, ensuring that service levels are achieved to a high standard.

For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.
3. The Person
You will need to have previous retail operations experience, ideally in the sports industry with a proven track record of driving growth in retail. You will need to have experience of managing or supervising a team to deliver outstanding customer experience. You will also need to have outstanding organisational and planning skills with the ability to react to changing conditions in a fast – paced retail and live events environment. You must be a confident communicator, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

You will need to be available to work flexibly as the Club requires, which may include matchdays, evenings and weekends as and when required. You will also need to hold a full, UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle to travel between our Club sites; Villa Park, the Bullring Store, London Office and Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.

4. Why join us?

There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more.

As part of your application, you will be asked to:
1. Upload your CV

2. Answer the following question:

a) Please outline your retail operational experience that makes you the ideal candidate for this role (400 words maximum)
For further information, the Role Profile and to apply please go to careers.avfc.co.uk/jobs
Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all.

We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.

Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding
How to apply: https://careers.avfc.co.uk/job/retail-operations-manager