6 Customer assistant jobs in Manchester

We are Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.

We want to create a nation where walking is the natural choice for everyday, local journeys; free from congested roads and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illnesses and social isolation. We want to achieve a better walking environment and to inspire people of all generations to walk and wheel more.

We’re looking for an organised and customer-focused Commercial Assistant to join our Development and Delivery department.

You will support Living Streets Services Ltd – our trading subsidiary and successful social enterprise – helping to deliver products and services including WOW – the walk to school challenge, Walk to School Week and Little Feet.

This is a varied role combining administration, customer service and sales support. You will process orders, respond to enquiries, maintain accurate records, and work with customers, suppliers and colleagues to resolve issues. Your work will help us provide excellent service, while contributing to the efficiency and financial success of our trading activity.

What you’ll do:

·Process customer orders accurately and coordinate fulfilment and invoicing.

·Respond to enquiries from schools, local authorities, project coordinators and other customers by telephone and email.

·Investigate and help resolve order, product and delivery issues.

·Maintain accurate sales, purchasing, stock and customer records.

·Monitor stock levels and support relationships with key suppliers.

·Prepare quotations and respond to sales enquiries.

·Support new and existing customer accounts and maintain database records.

·Assist schools using the WOW Travel Tracker platform and other digital products.

·Support the delivery of engagement and evaluation activities, including our annual design  competition.

·Help coordinate outreach events and tender submissions.

·Provide general administrative support, including taking minutes at quarterly board meetings.

What we’re looking for:

·Experience of providing administrative, customer-service or operational support.

·Experience of responding to enquiries by telephone and email.

·Experience of supporting sales activity, such as preparing quotations or processing orders.

·Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

·Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.

·Accuracy and close attention to detail.

·Confidence using CRM systems and Microsoft Office or equivalent workplace software.

·A practical approach to solving routine problems and knowing when to escalate an issue.

·The ability to work independently and collaboratively.

·A helpful, professional and customer-focused approach.

·A commitment to Living Streets’ purpose and to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Living Streets is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Closing date: 30/09/2026 (11:59 PM)

Interviews: 08/10/2026 – 09/10/2026

12-month fixed-term contract | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Services to join our senior management team. 

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead nine services with nine direct reports, spanning criminal justice and housing/homelessness provision. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, you will need significant leadership experience across both Criminal Justice and Housing/Homelessness services, including housing or accommodation-based provision. 

You will understand the complexity of working across criminal justice, housing, local government and other statutory systems and be experienced in building effective relationships with commissioners and partners while maintaining strong operational and contractual oversight. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term appointment at an important stage in Cranstoun’s transformation, offering the opportunity to lead a significant portfolio, strengthen operational performance and help shape the future development of our operating model. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

 

Summary 

Please note: For full details and how to apply please view the Recruitment with the link provided.

Individual giving

• Achieve a personal income target from small to mid-level donors including through our supporter scheme, campaigns and POS donations
• Take responsibility for HOME’s low to mid-level supporter programme, ensuring strong stewardship and donor retention, and consistent delivery of supporter scheme benefits, including a year-round programme of events – supported administratively by the Development Assistant
• Deliver consistent recruitment and upgrade activity for the programme, supported administratively by the Development Assistant and making use of automation
• Be responsible for delivering donation campaigns, including planning, writing copy and training the Customer Service Team (CST) in making the ask. Collaborate with the Marketing Team to promote campaigns on social media and by email
• Take ownership of HOME’s legacy scheme, including promotion and stewardship
•  Research potential donors and work with the wider team in delivering the strategy for recruiting them
• Work closely with the Development Assistant and the Marketing Team to oversee all supporter communications, including scheduling and writing content

Benefits: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to purchase additional leave, birthday day off, employee assistnance scheme, discounted theatre tickets when available, limted home working, flexible working requests, and more.

Permanent

0 hour sessional contract

£12.71 per hour

Location: Stockton Heath, London Road

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave [full time roles only], inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us: The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

We run over 100 retail shops covering the whole of the UK - every one of these shops play a vital role in our mission to providing support to children and young adults. Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.

About the role:

This role sits within our Retail Domain, which transforms donated goods into vital income to support young people across the UK. You'll play a key part in our Stockton Heath shop, supporting the shop manager & team to deliver excellent customer service, community engagement, and income generation. As part of this role, you will be required to be flexible including some weekends.

We're looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Shop Assistant with the ability to deliver excellent customer service, support volunteers and help maximise shop income through the sale of donated goods, driving improvements that strengthen the shop's performance and community impact.

Key Skills and Competencies

The required skills and competencies for this role are:

-Passionate about delivering excellent customer service and creating a welcoming environment for customers and donors.

-Able to work effectively as part of a team, supporting colleagues and volunteers to achieve shared objectives.

-Organised and dependable, with the ability to manage a variety of shop floor and stockroom tasks in a busy environment.

-Retail experience, and a “can do”, positive approach

-Good IT skills

It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:

-Previous experience in a retail, charity retail or customer-facing environment.

-Experience handling cash, operating tills and maintaining accurate records.

-Knowledge of visual merchandising, stock presentation and identifying opportunities to increase sales and donations.

-Full driving licence and access to a vehicle

-Experience of working with volunteers

Closing date: Midnight on 16/09/26

Interviews: Dates TBC

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 2 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

IN2

Grade: 4

Salary: £44,080 per year

Position Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours week, Permanent (flexible working considered)

Responsible to: Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager

Direct reports: None

Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular donor meetings. This may be up to once a week. Additionally, there will be two trips per year to our HQ in Truro, Cornwall.

ROLE PURPOSE

Sitting within our Philanthropy & Partnerships team, you will play a pivotal role in securing the philanthropic support that makes ShelterBox's work possible. By identifying, qualifying and developing major donor opportunities from our supporter base, networks and wider community, you will help connect more people with our mission to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster.

At the heart of this role is building and strengthening the major donor pipeline. You will proactively analyse data, identify high-potential prospects, uncover valuable connections and work with colleagues across the organisation to create opportunities for supporters to deepen their engagement with ShelterBox. Through strategic prospect research, qualification and relationship building, you will help move individuals from initial interest to meaningful philanthropic partnerships.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy & Partnerships, senior leadership, volunteers and key stakeholders, you will develop and implement tailored cultivation plans that create pathways to giving and maximise the long-term potential of prospective donors. You will support the delivery of bespoke engagement opportunities, proposals and communications drawing on ShelterBox's powerful humanitarian mission, compelling stories and tangible impact to engage diverse audiences and inspire long-term philanthropic support.

You will also play a key role in coordinating the Philanthropy Advisory Board and supporting events and activities that help expand networks, generate introductions and unlock opportunities to engage prospective major donors with ShelterBox's work.

Through strategic pipeline development, relationship building and effective use of data, insight and networks, you will help grow a thriving community of future major donors whose investment enables families affected by disaster, conflict and climate-related crises to access shelter, safety and a foundation for recovery.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for a proactive and strategic fundraiser with a talent for identifying opportunities, building relationships and developing a strong pipeline of future major donors.

You will be naturally curious and enjoy analysing data, researching prospects and uncovering opportunities to deepen engagement with existing supporters. Equally comfortable networking with supporters, volunteers, senior stakeholders, and professional contacts, you will be confident initiating conversations, and skilled at connecting people to ShelterBox's work whilst creating meaningful pathways towards philanthropy.

You will have excellent communication, influencing and project management skills, enabling you to coordinate multiple prospects, cultivation activities and stakeholder relationships simultaneously. Highly organised and confident using CRM systems, supporter insight and prospect research tools, you will be experienced in managing and progressing a pipeline, ensuring opportunities are effectively qualified, cultivated and moved through the donor journey.

This is an exciting opportunity for a major donor fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, creating new opportunities, building meaningful supporter engagement and converting warm prospects into committed philanthropic supporters whose generosity will help families affected by disaster.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Effectively manage a portfolio of major donors: developing strong and personal relationships, delivering bespoke stewardship and communication plans to ensure donors feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.
• Work with the ShelterBox team and key external influencers, connectors, partners and/or networks to grow and steward the major donor pipeline, cultivating relationships with new audiences.
• Develop a wide range of compelling communications for prospects and existing major donors including proposals, reports, and deliver concise and engaging updates via email, phone and in person.
• Work with the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and CEO to steward to the top high-level donors.
• Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to refine and implement the major donor strategy.
• Work closely with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to carry out targeted prospect research, and develop bespoke and strategic cultivation plans for prospective donors currently in the pipeline.
• Support with the development and implementation of cultivation and stewardship events to deepen donor engagement and reach new audiences.
• Utilise the grant management system when securing restricted income (i.e. tracking pipeline, asks, restricted income secured, reporting requirements).
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) to provide knowledge and expertise in major donor fundraising and the wider ShelterBox team (UK and global affiliates).
• Maximise the benefits of the CRM to create and implement cultivation and stewardship journeys for high-level funders, keeping records updated and following Data Protection regulations.
• Be active in the fundraising sector, know and follow the latest fundraising legislation and codes of practice, seek out peer learning and peer mentoring opportunities, network and contribute.
• Represent ShelterBox as required and always work in line with our aims, values and plans.
• As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster
• Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.