About us.

We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About the role.

We’re looking for a Studio Manager to head up our Home & Living photography studio at our Aintree site. You’ll be the driving force behind high-quality, on-brand Gallery and Aspirational imagery that brings our products to life and supports The Very Group’s marketing, creative, and product goals.

As a hands-on leader with a passion for photography and creative excellence, you’ll inspire a talented team of photographers and stylists, foster a culture of autonomy and growth, and ensure operational brilliance across the board.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the team

Inspire and develop a team of photographers and stylists through regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and training. You’ll set the creative standard and lead by example.

• Creative execution

Oversee the production of high-quality, consistent imagery that aligns with our brand vision and elevates our Home & Living products.

• Stakeholder collaboration

Work closely with Marketing, Creative, and Product teams to understand their needs and deliver on expectations. You’ll be the go-to person for all things studio-related.

• Operational excellence

Drive continuous improvement across studio workflows and processes. Monitor SLAs, report on performance, and use data to inform decisions.

• Budget management

Own the studio budget, ensuring spend is tracked, justified, and aligned with business priorities. You’ll also identify smart ways to save without compromising quality.

• Product and Room-set photography

At peaks, you’ll be hands-on the tools creating perfect Room-set and asset photography alongside the internal talent.

• Supplier imagery guidance

Advise buying teams on supplier imagery suitability, aligning with business strategy and ensuring we showcase products in the best light—literally.

• Culture champion

Embed The Very Group’s values into everything you do. Promote inclusivity, creativity, and accountability, and create a space where your team can thrive.

About you.

• Studio leadership experience: You’ve led creative teams in a studio environment, ideally with a focus on Home & Living or product photography.

• People-first mindset: You know how to inspire, develop, and get the best out of your team. You’re a natural collaborator with strong interpersonal skills.

• Stakeholder savvy: You’re confident managing cross-functional relationships and balancing competing priorities with ease.

• Operational know-how: You’ve got experience in studio operations, workflow optimisation, and SLA tracking. Budget management is second nature.

• Picture perfect: Leading and managing peaks in the most effective way, you’ll be on hand to create and shoot Asset and Room-Set photography.

• Continuous improvement mindset: You’re proactive, analytical, and always looking for ways to improve processes and outcomes.

• Cultural fit: You bring a positive, solutions-focused attitude and a passion for delivering exceptional creative work. You live and breathe our values.

Some of our benefits.

• Flexible, hybrid working model
• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews

• £1,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• Udemy learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be found on our career site

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.

You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:

1st stage - An informal 30-45 minute video call with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the role and to ask any questions you may have.

2nd stage - A one-hour formal, competency-based interview including a portfolio review. This will take place in person at our Aintree Studio.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Apply Now