Overview

The Design Museum is the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form, from furniture to graphics, and architecture to industrial design.

Following the launch of our Commercial Transformation 2029 strategy, we are seeking two commercially minded, people-focused Retail Supervisors to help deliver our Shop DESIGN, Support CHANGE vision.

We are recruiting for two permanent positions:

1 Full-Time Retail Supervisor(35 hours per week, 5 days per week, on a 4-week rolling rota)
1 Part-Time Retail Supervisor(14 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday)

This is an exciting opportunity to lead from the shop floor, inspire colleagues, and help create exceptional retail experiences while supporting the museum's commercial and charitable objectives.

About the role

The Retail Supervisor is responsible for leading the Retail Sales Assistant team and supporting the day-to-day operation of the Design Museum’s retail spaces.

Working closely with the Retail Manager, you will lead by example to deliver outstanding customer service, support sales performance, and maintain high standards across visual merchandising, stock control and retail operations. You will play a key role in creating engaging retail environments, developing colleagues, and ensuring every visitor receives an exceptional experience.

Key areas of focus include:

Leading, coaching and motivating the retail team to deliver excellent customer service.
Maximising sales, donations and visitor engagement across the museum's retail spaces.
Maintaining high standards of visual merchandising and shop floor presentation.
Supporting stock control, operational compliance and retail performance.
Contributing to exhibitions, product launches, events and other commercial initiatives.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

Previous senior retail assistant or supervisory experience in a fast-paced retail environment.
Strong communication skills and the ability to motivate, support and coach colleagues.
A passion for delivering an exceptional customer and visitor experience.
Experience achieving sales targets or KPIs and encouraging others to deliver results.
Strong organisation skills, commercial awareness and attention to detail.

The complete job description (including the person specification) is available to download on this page.

Terms and Conditions

Full-Time Retail Supervisor

Salary: up to £28,940 per annum

Holidays: 33 days (25 days + 8 bank holidays)

Hours: 35 hours/5 days per week, on a 4-week rolling rota basis (including bank holidays and weekends, and occasional evenings at book signings, events and off-site trading as required)

Location: This role is based on-site at the museum.

Part-Time Retail Supervisor

Salary: up to £11,576 per annum (based on £28,940 FTE)

Holidays: 33 days (25 days + 8 bank holidays)

Hours: 14 hours/2 days per week, Saturday and Sunday, (including bank holidays, and occasional evenings at book signings, events and off-site trading as required)

Location: This role is based on-site at the museum.

Closing date: Sunday 27 September (midnight)

Interviews: Wednesday 7 October

Queries

If you encounter any issues while completing your application, please email peopleteam@designmuseum.org before the vacancy closing date. We will be in touch as soon as possible; (please note the inbox is monitored Monday-Friday).

Retail Supervisor

Kensington, Kensington & Chelsea, Greater London, United Kingdom

Up to £28,940 per annum (pro rata)

Permanent - Full-time

Posted today

Closing date: 28/09/2026

Documents

Retail Supervisor_Job Description.pdf

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25 days holiday, rising to 26 days (after two years' of service) and 27 days (after five years' of service)
Hybrid working, 60% museum, 40% remote and annually two weeks fully remote
Core hours and flexible working, including part-time and compressed hours
Season ticket loan, tenancy deposit loan, cycle to work scheme
Access to a defined contribution pension scheme
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Free museum entry for friends and family
Discounts in the museum shops and cafes
Free entry to other galleries and museums
Employee assistance programme

The museum pro-actively seeks to collaborate with institutional partners, individuals, and networks to realise its commitment to build a culturally diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and consider candidates who are suitably qualified and eligible regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Retail Supervisor

Kensington, Kensington & Chelsea, Greater London, United Kingdom

Up to £28,940 per annum (pro rata)