Head of Retail

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is more than a Charity we are a lifeline to older people in our local communities. As part of our mission to support older people in their everyday lives, we provide a wide range of services, including our shops. 

Every item sold across our shops helps an older person in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We are looking for a commercially minded, inspiring Head of Retail to lead our charity’s retail function, a portfolio of 29 shops, a growing online operation with an ambitious plan to turn the retail success into real impact for older people.

This is a Senior Leadership role reporting to our Executive Director. You will set and deliver our retail strategy, grow income across high-street, out-of-town and superstore-style sites, develop our furniture and ecommerce operations, and lead a large, dedicated team of managers, drivers, maintenance staff and volunteers. If you can combine commercial drive with genuine care for the people you lead, we would love to hear from you.

What you’ll do

•    Deliver and continuously develop our retail strategy, growing income and keeping the function commercially resilient and fit for the future.

•    Identify and develop opportunities for growth — including new high-street, out-of-town and superstore-style sites — backed by evidenced business cases.

•    Build our furniture retail strategy across the city, county and wider region, and grow ecommerce income across multiple online platforms such as eBay.

•    Lead, coach and motivate your managers and teams, ensuring every shop is well presented with excellent customer service.

•    Turn around underperforming shops and oversee income generators including Gift Aid, scratch cards and the Grand Raffle.

•    Drive efficiency across the function, making smart use of technology and AI to support staff and volunteers.

What we’re looking for

•    Strong retail experience at senior management level, with proven sales leadership and the ability to inspire others.

•    Commercial and business awareness, with the ability to set and work to financial targets, budgets and plans.

•    A track record of developing and delivering retail strategy and growing a retail estate, including new formats.

•    Experience of identifying and turning around underperforming shops, and of managing performance.

•    Experience of leading and developing both staff and volunteers, with excellent IT and communication skills.

•    Someone compassionate and empathetic — who leads with kindness as well as drive, treating staff, volunteers and customers with respect.

•    Desirable: not-for-profit sector experience, furniture reuse and logistics, growing ecommerce across more than one platform, and using technology and AI to improve ways of working.

•    A full driving licence is required, with the ability to gain business insurance.

What we offer

•    Competitive salary of £55,000 per annum

•    Company car (subject to benefit-in-kind tax).

•    25 days’ holiday plus public and bank holidays and two discretionary days.

•    Enhanced health cash plan, life insurance, and an employee assistance and wellbeing programme.

•    Employer pension contributions and a salary sacrifice pension scheme.

•    Eligibility for a car park space at Lansdowne House and a business mileage allowance.

•    The reward of contributing to a fantastic local charity supporting older people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a comprehensive application along with a covering letter setting out what you would bring to the role. This post will remain open until it is filled. We will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is found.

 Base: Lansdowne House, Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7LA

Hours : 37 including some weekends and bank holidays Monday – Thursday 8.30 – 4.30pm Friday 8.30am – 4.00pm with a 30-minute unpaid break  

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 26 June 2026  

Interview Date: To be confirmed  

Reference: TD/SP100626