Job summary Are you passionate about charity retail? Do you have experience in retail area management and opening new retail shops? If so, we want to hear from you Main duties of the job This vital work wouldnt be possible without our retail shops With government funding covering only seven weeks of our annual costs, the dedication of our fundraisers and retail teams ensures we can continue operating for the remaining 45 weeks each year. We are looking for a proactive and results-driven Retail Area Manager to join our growing retail team. In this role, you will lead sales growth across our retail shops, maximise income generation, and drive operational excellence to help sustain our essential services. About us Here at Rainbows Childrens Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Our vision is to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are. Date posted 20 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £35,560 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number RAI1087022 Job locations Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2HS Job description Job responsibilities Location: Home-based with travel across the East Midlands (covering all five counties) to visit retail shops and attend meetings at our Hospice in Loughborough. Travel: A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM 5:00 PM, with participation in an on-call rota. About the role As Retail Area Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting our retail team to achieve income and expenditure targets. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Providing direct line management to Retail Shop Managers and the E-commerce Manager, fostering a culture of empowerment through coaching, situational leadership, and accountability for income and expenditure budgets. Taking ownership of the delivery of income and expenditure targets up to £5 million. Collaborating with the Head of Retail to develop and manage retail and e-commerce budgets. Overseeing the successful opening of new retail stores, ensuring they meet required standards and effectively raise the profile of Rainbows. Ensuring shop managers have the necessary tools and support to drive income through effective planning, stock management, and high shop standards. Supporting shop managers in recruiting and retaining volunteers while fostering a positive and rewarding volunteer experience. Further responsibilities can be found by downloading the Job Description. Requirements Effective leadership skills with the ability to manage people effectively and build high-performing teams. Experience in business planning, working to targets, and achieving key performance indicators (KPIs). A proven track record of managing, leading, and developing large teams within a retail setting. Significant experience in managing a retail department or overseeing multiple retail locations. Experience of working with and managing volunteers. Experience of opening new retail shops A solid understanding of charity retail, including industry best practices and key challenges. A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification. Our Benefits include: Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop. Healthcare Cashback plan. Life Assurance. 27 days holiday plus bank holidays. Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme Free access to an employee assistance programme Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders Unofficial benefits: Fun events like Total Wipe Out, All staff away days, Guest visitors For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Hannah Coventry (Head of Retail) on hannah.coventryrainbows.co.uk To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitmentrainbows.co.uk This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks. Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Job description Job responsibilities Location: Home-based with travel across the East Midlands (covering all five counties) to visit retail shops and attend meetings at our Hospice in Loughborough. Travel: A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM 5:00 PM, with participation in an on-call rota. About the role As Retail Area Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting our retail team to achieve income and expenditure targets. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Providing direct line management to Retail Shop Managers and the E-commerce Manager, fostering a culture of empowerment through coaching, situational leadership, and accountability for income and expenditure budgets. Taking ownership of the delivery of income and expenditure targets up to £5 million. Collaborating with the Head of Retail to develop and manage retail and e-commerce budgets. Overseeing the successful opening of new retail stores, ensuring they meet required standards and effectively raise the profile of Rainbows. Ensuring shop managers have the necessary tools and support to drive income through effective planning, stock management, and high shop standards. Supporting shop managers in recruiting and retaining volunteers while fostering a positive and rewarding volunteer experience. Further responsibilities can be found by downloading the Job Description. Requirements Effective leadership skills with the ability to manage people effectively and build high-performing teams. Experience in business planning, working to targets, and achieving key performance indicators (KPIs). A proven track record of managing, leading, and developing large teams within a retail setting. Significant experience in managing a retail department or overseeing multiple retail locations. Experience of working with and managing volunteers. Experience of opening new retail shops A solid understanding of charity retail, including industry best practices and key challenges. A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification. Our Benefits include: Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop. Healthcare Cashback plan. Life Assurance. 27 days holiday plus bank holidays. Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme Free access to an employee assistance programme Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders Unofficial benefits: Fun events like Total Wipe Out, All staff away days, Guest visitors For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Hannah Coventry (Head of Retail) on hannah.coventryrainbows.co.uk To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitmentrainbows.co.uk This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks. Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educational and attainment Literate and numerate Educated to A level or equivalent. Desirable Evidence of continuous personal and professional development Experience Essential Promotion of excellent customer service. Working with numbers and spreadsheets. IT literate (word, excel, outlook, epos systems). Excellent written and oral communication. Key principles of managing people and building teams. Excellent organisational and time management, able to prioritise and work to deadlines. Ability to work collaboratively internally and externally. Business planning and working to targets and KPIs. Demonstrable experience of managing, leading and developing large teams. Experience of managing HR/ER issues. Significant track record of successfully managing a retail department or area within a business. Ability to coach and develop individuals and teams. Demonstrable experience of identifying and developing successful new opportunities for growth. Self- motivated, enthusiastic and energetic. People focused, demonstrating a supportive approach. Passionate about providing an excellent customer experience. Can communicate clearly and assertively with a wide range of people at all levels and with sensitivity when required. Organised with good time keeping. Ability to prioritise effectively and remain calm and focused under pressure. A good role model in terms of wellbeing and work life balance Persuasive. Can-do attitude, with a hands- on flexible and adaptive approach to a variety of tasks. Honest, reliable and flexible. Team player. One Team Working together with fairness and respect. People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity. Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise. Own It Focused, committed and accountable. A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Desirable Experience of managing/working with volunteers. Experience of opening new retail sites. Knowledge of charity retail, how it works and key challenges. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educational and attainment Literate and numerate Educated to A level or equivalent. Desirable Evidence of continuous personal and professional development Experience Essential Promotion of excellent customer service. Working with numbers and spreadsheets. IT literate (word, excel, outlook, epos systems). Excellent written and oral communication. Key principles of managing people and building teams. Excellent organisational and time management, able to prioritise and work to deadlines. Ability to work collaboratively internally and externally. Business planning and working to targets and KPIs. Demonstrable experience of managing, leading and developing large teams. Experience of managing HR/ER issues. Significant track record of successfully managing a retail department or area within a business. Ability to coach and develop individuals and teams. Demonstrable experience of identifying and developing successful new opportunities for growth. Self- motivated, enthusiastic and energetic. People focused, demonstrating a supportive approach. Passionate about providing an excellent customer experience. Can communicate clearly and assertively with a wide range of people at all levels and with sensitivity when required. Organised with good time keeping. Ability to prioritise effectively and remain calm and focused under pressure. A good role model in terms of wellbeing and work life balance Persuasive. Can-do attitude, with a hands- on flexible and adaptive approach to a variety of tasks. Honest, reliable and flexible. Team player. One Team Working together with fairness and respect. People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity. Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise. Own It Focused, committed and accountable. A full driving license and access to your own vehicle are required for this role. Mileage expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Desirable Experience of managing/working with volunteers. Experience of opening new retail sites. Knowledge of charity retail, how it works and key challenges. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People Address Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2HS Employer's website https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)