Charity shop retail assistant jobs

Team: Retail

Location: Headingley, Leeds

Work pattern: 14 hours on a rota basis (to include weekends)

Salary: Up to £9,345.86 per annum

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Assistant Shop Manager:

• To assist the Shop Manager to maximise shop income and profitability through the safe day-to-day operational management of shop activity and key performance indicators, to support the work of Cats Protection
• To act as brand ambassador for Cats protection, being a role model for the values and behaviours of the Charity, taking responsibility for the shop operation in the absence of the Shop Manager.

About the retail team:

• Our retail operation consists of over 80 charity shops
• Each of our shops has its own charm and personality due to our dedicated volunteers and colleagues. From vintage jewellery and jigsaws to harps and handbags, whether our customers are looking for that 'must have' item or simply a 'missing piece'.

What we’re looking for in our Assistant Shop Manager:

• Demonstrable learning and experience from working in a relevant retail environment
• Experience and/or understanding of working to sales targets
• Experience of cash reconciliation and financial controls
• Ability to motivate and manage a team of employees and volunteers

What we can offer you:

• range of health benefits
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
• and much more, which you can learn about 

Interested? Here’s how to apply:

Application closing date: 05 June 2026

Virtual interview date: TBC

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable.  You may be just the right candidate. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form
2. Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email [email protected] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey

Job Title: Assistant Store Manager

Location: Orpington

Salary: £21,921.20

Weekly Hours: 30

Reference: YMC1196329

Are you an experienced retailer?

Do you want to try a new type of retailing in Charity where you can support and deputise for a Store Manager raising money to help change young people’s lives?

You will work alongside paid staff and volunteers, proud of everything you achieve together at the heart of your local community and raise money for an amazing charity. If this excites you then we have a fantastic opportunity in our  store.

As an Assistant Store Manager, you will play a key role in the stores success. You will be highly organised with experience of merchandising, stock rotation and excellent customer service. You will work effectively and efficiently to maximise income for the shop and promote the work of YMCA within the local community. You will deputise for the store manager when needed and work in an environment that presents challenge and meaning.

Why join YMCA England & Wales?

You will have the opportunity to work in a role that is varied and stimulating, supporting the manager and shop team to represent and serve your local community. You will get real autonomy working with your Store Manager using your entrepreneurial skills to raise money and represent YMCA in your area.

You’ll also get a package that includes:

• Pension
• 28 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff)
• Regular salary reviews
• Sick pay (after a qualifying period)
• Services to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing, including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Health shield cash plan

This is an exciting time to join us as we embark on a journey of expansion. We are opening many new stores across England & Wales, Our Charity Shops are unique and offer a wide range of donated products. We are passionate about recycling and pride ourselves in selling over 95% of our donated stock and we don’t sell new goods! If successful, you will be joining an amazing team and receive support and guidance from your Store Manager and Area Manager.

 At YMCA England & Wales, we strive to create a workplace that fully reflects and serves its local community. We want all staff to feel empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work each day. We have diverse teams, we encourage everyone to do their best and support them to reach their full potential.

If you are passionate about improving young lives, this will be the role for you.

As an employer committed to inclusivity we welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, who are currently under-represented throughout YMCA England & Wales

Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

Fundraising Assistant
West Dean, West Sussex | 21 hours per week | Permanent

Are you an organised and proactive administrator looking for a rewarding role where your work helps support arts, heritage, education, and creativity?

West Dean is seeking a Fundraising Assistant to join our friendly and collaborative fundraising team at our stunning Sussex campus in the South Downs National Park. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting donor engagement, fundraising activities, and student funding within one of the UK’s most distinctive cultural and educational organisations.

West Dean, operated by The Edward James Foundation Ltd, is internationally recognised for its work in arts, craft, design, and conservation. From our historic Sussex estate to our London-based KLC School of Design, we provide inspiring environments where creativity and heritage thrive.

About the Role

As Fundraising Assistant, you will provide essential administrative and operational support across a wide range of fundraising activities. You’ll help maintain accurate donor records, process donations, coordinate communications, support donor visits and events, and assist with reporting and prospect research.

Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, finance, marketing, and academic teams, you’ll help ensure excellent donor care while contributing to fundraising initiatives that directly support students, projects, and the future development of West Dean.

This is a varied and engaging role that would suit someone who enjoys organisation, relationship-building, and working with data and systems in a meaningful environment.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Confident managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Comfortable working with databases, spreadsheets, and administrative systems
• Professional, approachable, and an excellent communicator
• Able to build positive relationships with colleagues and supporters
• Interested in developing a career within fundraising or the charity sector
• Previous administrative experience is essential, while experience working with CRM systems, events, or customer-facing environments would be advantageous.

What We Offer

Salary: £15,000 per annum (£25,000 FTE)

21 hours per week worked across a minimum of 3 days

• Generous contributory pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free entry to West Dean Gardens
• Free use of swimming pool, tennis courts, and library
• Staff discounts and subsidised short courses
• Subsidised bed and breakfast rates on campus
• A unique and inspiring place to work surrounded by creativity, heritage, and beautiful landscapes

If you’re looking to join an organisation where your work truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now via the West Dean Careers website.

Team: Estates and Construction 

Location: Remote with regular travel in London and the South-East 

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri 

Salary: Up to £53,736.33 per year 

Contract: Permanent 

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them. 

Responsibilities of our Surveyor: 

- Manage a designated portfolio of properties, delivering repairs and maintenance as required

- Be a property expert for colleagues across the estate, giving high levels of service and support.   

- Oversee property works in alignment with retail and operations managers within agreed SLAs 

- Assess property issues and take appropriate action 

- Maintain accurate records across estate/FM databases and cloud-based systems

- Provide advice on retail/commercial lease acquisitions and disposals 

- Liaise with agents, landlords, neighboring occupiers, solicitors and local authorities 

- Procure and manage contractors, ensuring they are vetted and all work meets H&S legislation 

About the Estates and Construction team: 

The Estates and Construction team manage a wide-ranging and diverse portfolio that reflects the breadth of the estate. Within the region covered, the portfolio includes purpose-built cat adoption and homing centres (both freehold and leasehold), a network of leasehold charity shops, multi-pen sites, and a small number of residential properties. Occasionally, surveying expertise is also required for matters relating to legacy properties. 

What we’re looking for in our Surveyor: 

- Level 6 or higher professional surveying qualification

- Current membership of a professional institution such as RICS, RIBA, CIBSE, CIOB, IWFM 

- Post qualification experience of surveying in a property or facilities management environment 

- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle

- Working Knowledge of retail/commercial leases, acquisitions and disposals 

- Multi-site and use property management and compliance experience 

- Experience of working on and managing small building or maintenance projects up to £500k, including financial controls as EA or CA and contractor management 

- Ability to work within a small team and externally with professionals and third parties

- Strong Microsoft Office skills 

What we can offer you: 

- range of health benefits 

- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service 

- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing 

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 8th June 2026 

Virtual interview date: 29th June 2026 

Second stage: in person 9th July at the UK Cat Centre, RH17 7TT 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include: 

1. Anonymised application form 

2. Video screening 

3. Virtual interview and assessment/presentation

4. Meet the team 

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey