Area manager jobs

We’re now looking for a dynamic and motivated leader to join our Retail team as Retail Area Support Manager for our shops based in South London. In this role, you’ll help ensure our shops are safe, welcoming, and thriving spaces that inspire donations, volunteering, and sales — all contributing to Shelter’s mission of defending the right to a safe home.

About the role

This role supports the Area Manager to ensure shops across the area are safe, welcoming and thriving. You’ll represent Shelter in the community, creating positive experiences for customers, donors and volunteers while maximising Gift Aid and encouraging ongoing support.

You’ll help to oversee shop operations – from pricing and stock rotation to displays and local income-generating events, along with playing a key part in recruiting, developing and guiding Community Shop Managers.

Financial responsibility is central, following procedures, reviewing shop accounts and supporting managers to identify opportunities and reduce costs. Success means helping shops meet and exceed targets, increasing Shelter’s contribution and ensuring vibrant, well-run shops that maximise impact.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced leader who can inspire and motivate teams to deliver outstanding results. You’ll thrive in a varied role, bringing energy and creativity to shop environments, helping teams attract customers and donors, and deepening their knowledge of Shelter’s mission. With strong influencing skills, you’ll train, develop and empower people to run successful shops that raise vital funds.

To succeed, you’ll need experience managing staff or volunteers, delivering excellent customer service, overseeing multiple sites and working with budgets. You’ll also be enterprising and innovative, with the ability to engage communities and have knowledge of charity retail and how to grow sales.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

This role sits within the Income Generation directorate within the Retail team at Shelter. You will work alongside and report into the Area Manager, along with the Community Shop Managers of the shops you will be helping to oversee.

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit your work and education history and a supporting statement.

Please provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria in the 'About you' section of this advert, following the STAR format, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything. We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist. 

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Deputy Area Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Deputy Area Manager

Homebased in Central or West Scotland with travel as necessary within the region

£45,651 per annum (increasing to £50,723 after 18 months) + £1,500 per annum Out of Hours Rota Allowance + £750 per annum Homeworking Allowance

35 hours | Mon–Fri | Permanent

Why Join TACT?

• Top 5 UK Charity to Work For (2024)
• 97% proud to work at TACT | 92% love working here
• Not-for-profit – every surplus reinvested into children, carers & staff
• Children’s voices shape every decision, system, and improvement we make at TACT.
• Flexible homeworking from day one
• Trauma-informed, values-led organisation

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months of service.
• 45p per mile business mileage
• Stakeholder Pension (salary sacrifice)
• Family-friendly & flexible working policies
• Volunteer days

Wellbeing & Non-Salary Benefits

• Homeworking IT bundle + home office loan
• HelpHand EAP (24/7 GP, CBT, physio, mental health support)
• Over 35 hours a year of access to on line wellbeing events and team wellbeing days
• Menopause Policy + free clinician appointments
• Regular team wellbeing & connection events

Training & Career Development

• Excellent learning & development programme
• Opportunity to grow therapeutic & trauma-informed practice
• Supportive leadership and clear career progression pathways
• Involvement in innovative projects (e.g. TACT Connect, Health, Education)

The Role

You’ll work closely with foster carers and social work colleagues to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed support and improve outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Practice responsibility for areas of TACT Scotland, including managing Social Work staff, Students, Placement team, Admin Team and Children’s Support Workers.
• In conjunction with the Fostering Service Manager to ensure the recruitment, selection, supervision, performance reviews and PDP’s of supervisees (in conjunction with the Fostering Service Manager).
• Undertake HR related matters as required in liaison with TACT’s People Department (in conjunction with the Fostering Service Manager).
• Support the area management team in planning and managing appropriate social work, outreach, out of hours support and administrative arrangements.
• Assist the Fostering Service Manager in the management and leadership of the team, using a trauma-informed therapeutic approach.
• Supporting the co-ordination of out of hours rotas and a daily duty rota.
• Prepare and contribute to regular team and management meetings and development of  the service including business and practice planning.

What You’ll Need

• Relevant Social Work Qualification 
• Scottish Social Services Council     Registration
• Post qualifying experience which should include at least 2 years in family placement work or post qualifying experience in other childcare settings which must include statutory
• Experience in working with and on behalf of children, using a trauma-informed therapeutic approach
• A good working knowledge of relevant child-care and fostering legislation 
• A good working knowledge of child protection / safeguarding children procedures
• Ability to assess and support families and match their skills with childrenneeding placements.
• Ability to write clear reports and maintain clear case records.
• Enhanced PVG (processed by TACT)

Travel

• Homebased role
• Monthly face-to-face meetings in Scotland
• Additional travel for training, team and carer events

Key Dates

• Closing Date: Monday 19th July 2026 (midnight)
• Interviews: Wednesday 29th July 2026 (Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding Commitment

Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies. 

Apply early - we may close the role if we receive a high volume of applications.