Rebecca: Retail Manager

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Rebecca

I work as the Retail Manager here at Leeds Museums and Galleries

What is your job?

I work across all the sites

I choose what products we stock and the displays

I work with talented people and local makers to design beautiful products for special events and exhibitions

What do you do in your job?

I am responsible for generating income for the service through the shop

I make sure that the product lines are correct, engaging and inspiring for customers to buy

I am responsible for monitoring income

How did you get your job and what is your background?

I studied Fine Art at university

During my degree, I got a casual job at a big gallery in Gateshead

From then, I got a full-time job upon graduation within the shop

Then I moved to Leeds to be a Retail Manager here at Leeds Museums and Galleries

What do you like about your job?

I like the variety of tasks that I get to do on a day-to-day basis

We have loads of different problems to solve

There's always something crazy that crops up that's completely out of the ordinary, and that makes every day fun to work

What is some advice on how to get a job like yours, and to work in a museum setting?

If you are really interested in shopping and products, then just be interested in that

Always keep an eye on what's out there

I started in customer service, and I would say it gives you such great transferable skills

Experience is always worth it in the end

What are the benefits from working in a museum setting?

You work with likeminded people every day

Everyone's working towards the same shared goal, which is to maintain the heritage and the culture of the city for generations to come

What is your favourite site you work at?

If I had to choose, it would be Leeds Art Gallery

The team there is so great and inspiring, and the exhibitions are always so engaging