The Challenge
Our industry is going through an unprecedented structural change not seen before. Retail is no longer retail… it’s a blurring of lines between retail, leisure, food and beverage, day time and night economy and online, as the consumer searches for the ultimate all-round retail experience.
As an industry we are constantly being challenged to get the best out of our assets in driving performance and value. Equally as important, do we have the right practical skillset and knowledge, to manage and operate these complex assets that sit at the heart of our communities. The competencies required to undertake the role of centre manager have turned the traditional manager role into a commercial manager who needs to present, interpret financial data into strategy, facilitate wider community partnerships….and much more.
In keeping up with this industry change and the need for upskilling, we have developed a bespoke 18 month, part-time Diploma (Level 4, 120 credits) to fit around your busy work and home life.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Created specifically for the retail and property industry, this de facto entry level qualification has been developed in conjunction with industry experts and Revo Educational Trust. It provides retail place managers with the practical skillset and knowledge to manage and operate the retail and leisure assets that sit at the heart of our communities.
The retail and leisure industry is going through an unprecedented structural change. Retail is no longer retail - it’s a blurring of lines between retail, leisure, food and beverage; day-time and night economy; and online, as the consumer searches for the ultimate all-round retail experience.
The traditional centre manager has turned into a commercial manager who needs to present, interpret financial data into strategy, facilitate the wider community partnerships, and much more.
This two year, part-time, Level 4 Diploma has been designed to fit around your busy work and home life. Through a blended learning approach – face-to-face or online, and presentations or course work - this programme puts knowledge and confidence building at the heart of your learning experience.
The course starts with an introductory bootcamp. This is a compulsory introduction to the course which runs over a full weekend. The bootcamp consists of an induction to the course, an introduction to academic and personal development and sets out the ‘golden rules of place management’ with a five credit unit: Introduction to Retail and Leisure Place Management.
Personal and academic development is very important, as well as the acquisition of skills, and you will be supported in developing your confidence and start on the road of becoming an independent learner. We encourage teamwork as a skill, which is highly valued by employers. Being able also to manage one’s own resources in individual work is also essential. Personal development is an important part of the curriculum, as the course aims to produce graduates who are confident, competent and capable independent retail place managers.
You will be given regular feedback to help support you, both academically and professionally, enabling you to gain confidence. This is helped by the small group teaching which features throughout our courses.
The programme is delivered through blended learning and is designed to fit around students’ work and home commitments.
What does this course lead to?
A graduate from this course will be able to play a role in an industry that is constantly being challenged to get the best out of our assets in driving performance and value. Students will learn the additional competencies required to transform a traditional centre manager into a commercial manager able to present, interpret financial data into strategy, and facilitate wider community partnerships.
Who is this course for?
This course is open to anyone working in the retail and retail property industry, looking to build their skills and increase their knowledge to manage and operate retail and leisure places.
Fees and costs
Tuition fees
The 2021/22 fees are not yet available. For guidance, the 2020/21 fees were £9,250 (VAT free). Various payment options are available.
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately.
Registration and full information
Check out the page here from Solent University.
Principles of Retail and Leisure Place Management.
This unit provides a general introduction to the principles and practices in retail and leisure place management and also acts as a bite sized introduction to the wider course. It will touch on all the areas the industry has indicated, which are the minimum requirement for a ‘license to operate’ and the “golden rules” of leisure and place management.
This unit is divided into the 4 distinct areas, which are introductory modules for the Revo Diploma:
Management, Operations, and Health and Safety.
This unit builds on, and will develop, the operational topics introduced in the Principles of Retail and Leisure Place Management unit.
It expands on, the aspects involved with the processes of planning, implementing and evaluating procedures to ensure the profitable, safe and effective operation and management of a retail and leisure places in today’s current climate always asking “What can I do to make a difference!”
This unit is divided into four modules:
The student will be further introduced to the green agenda and sustainability topics.
Marketing Principles for Retail and Leisure Place Management.
This unit provides an understanding of the key concepts and terminology used in marketing, and is designed to introduce students to key principles of marketing focusing primarily on consumer marketing. Specifically, it will examine how to do the following in leisure and retail:
At the end of this module the student will be able to create, manage and evaluate the success of an effective marketing plan, based on market and customer insights. The student will understand the different elements of the marketing mix, and how and when to use each of them appropriately to help deliver the retail and leisure place business objectives and support the occupiers’ objectives.
Fundamentals of Property Law and Data Governance.
This unit builds on the introduction to legal fundamentals studied in the Principles of Retail and Leisure Place Management unit. This unit aims to provide an understanding of legal and statutory requirements and their application that are essential for effective and competent, professional practice applicable to professionals in retail and leisure place management.
Through this unit students will be introduced to the English legal system, the Law of Contract, Property and Land Law, providing a sound foundation to develop business and industry specialist awareness. With particular focus on contracts and leases including such matters as termination of leases and the liabilities of both landlord and occupiers, and most importantly will provide the centre manager with the knowledge as to when to take advice when to escalate, and when they can deal with legal issues.
In addition, this unit will provide an introduction to the centres manager’s role and responsibilities associated with data governance.
Financial Management and Reporting.
This unit builds on the Legal and Data Responsibilities unitstudied in the Principles of Retail and Leisure Place Management unit and aims to provide a basic understanding of asset class, property economics, investment and the financial budgeting and reporting skills that are essential for a centre manager.
The student will learn about the financial management of a retail and leisure place, with an emphasis placed upon service charge and key performance indicators used to measure success. Knowing the relationship between the key stakeholders, understanding revenue and cost, profitability, and being able to report on what success looks like will allow the future centre manager to make a difference to the centre.
Project: The Retail Place – The Future Leaders Project.
This unit brings together all of the learning from the course to date, and will provides an introduction and an awareness of the retail and business innovations, and new technologies being developed for use within the sector that represent the possible future of retail.
The unit will reflect on the current role of the retail place manager and consider the future of leisure and retailing, and how managers will effectively contribute to the design of retail and leisure experiences in the future.
