Reception services and venue manager jobs

Aurora offers services across three sites in Worksop, Doncaster and Mexborough . Our Worksop Centre is home to the Heritage Hub, Valerie’s Tearoom, gym, support services and we are launching a newly transformed charity shop.

An inviting, modern space designed to raise vital funds and bring people together. Thoughtfully designed and sustainability-focused, it will offer good quality preloved fashion in a welcoming community setting. The shop offers a unique setting for someone looking for a role that goes well beyond standard retail.

As Retail Manager, you’ll help shape the shop from day one: setting it up, building a supportive volunteer team, and creating a welcoming space that reflects Aurora’s mission. We’re looking for someone with charity retail experience, an eye for trends and a passion for people.

If you want to use your retail skills to make a real difference, and help create a space the community can be proud of, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Aurora

Offering services across three sites in Worksop, Doncaster and Mexborough Aurora Wellbeing offers a unique service bringing together health and heritage to provide support for local people affected by cancer, and long-term health conditions. We encourage people to be active participants in their wellbeing, working together to improve physical and emotional health.

Charity Core Purposes: ‘The promotion of good health and wellbeing by assisting in the relief of symptoms and the improvement of the quality of life by providing supportive services to those who have been diagnosed with or affected by cancer and long-term conditions and providing support, information and education on the benefits of receiving complementary and holistic therapies as well as to build awareness of the links between heritage and good health and wellbeing, education and research of wellbeing to the general public as a whole.

Main Purpose

To lead and manage Aurora’s vision for retail whilst creating a warm, professional, and inclusive environment for customers and volunteers. The shop plays a vital role in generating income to support Aurora’s charitable work for people living with cancer.

Reporting to the Business Operations Manager, the Retail Manager will be part of a diverse team encompassing health and wellbeing, hospitality, heritage and support services. This is not a typical charity retail role as the shop is uniquely situated within a wellbeing and heritage centre that also includes a Tearoom, Gym and Community support facilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a truly community-focused retail space, where creativity and innovation can be used to make the most of this historic and distinctive setting.

The Retail Manager will play a key role in the retail transformation, setting up the new shop, recruiting the team, training and establishing best practice and standards; bringing the retail vision to life.

This important role supports the operational delivery of the charity’s busy events programme and supports the team and running the office.

The events programme is diverse - from drinks receptions and report launches to events at agricultural shows across the UK - and support on administration for the wider charity, including some communications activity. Through these events, we drive awareness of our work supporting family farms and rural communities. In doing so we also garner support from funders to tackle the issues facing the countryside, ensuring our work reaches a diverse audience to raise awareness.

Under the direction of the Head of External Affairs, and with support of the wider staff team, you will be responsible for coordinating and running all the charity’s events, including full administrative support, booking venues, the invitation process and guest lists, organisation of collateral (including marketing and promotional information), catering arrangements and researching and inviting speakers. You will be also ensuring effective follow-up to each event such as wider dissemination of event content, evaluation, and reporting.

Working on events will account for approximately 75% of the role. The remaining time will be spent working across the charity undertaking a variety of administrative tasks. This will include supporting the team with mailings, coordination of specific activities and some general office management. Whilst reporting to the Head of External Affairs, this role will work closely with several team members, particularly the Executive Support & Governance Manager, providing a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience of different aspects of the charity’s work.

What we are looking for

This is an important role, and we’d like you to have a sound working knowledge of end-to-end event management and office experience within a charity or other professional environment.  To be successful you will be required to demonstrate a confident attitude supported by good written and verbal communication skills.  You must be comfortable using Microsoft office suite, events management platforms and our CRM system (currently Salesforce). You will be able to manage your time and prioritise your workload.  An ability to engage with a wide range of people is also advantageous. Most of all is the desire to provide first class customer service.

This position requires you to be a reliable individual with a detailed, methodical and organised approach who can work independently as well as part of a team. You will enjoy detail and managing data, all this supported by an interest in our work and the desire to develop a successful programme of events. You must be able to handle confidential information with discretion.

If you are organised, detail-oriented, and enjoy providing support in a fast-paced office environment, we would love to hear from you. This is an exciting role that would suit someone looking to gain wide-ranging experience in the charity sector and who is keen to have an outward-facing position enjoying regular contact with our supporters and those who benefit from the RCF’s support.

Whitley Fund for Nature

The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting outstanding grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassadors including Sir David Attenborough.

The Opportunity

This role offers an exciting opportunity for an organised and proactive individual to contribute to high-profile events such as the prestigious Whitley Awards Ceremony, conservation summits and fundraising receptions, while also supporting office management, operational and administrative functions at the charity’s London office.

The ideal candidate will be keen to contribute, have excellent attention to detail, and a passion for environmental and/or charitable work. This is a varied and hands-on administrative role crucial in underpinning the efforts of our small, dynamic team.

EVENTS ASSISTANT - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Proven ability to manage administrative systems
• Experience coordinating suppliers and event logistics
• Experience of using a database to maintain accurate records and reporting on results
• IT literate (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace)
• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Confident communicator with a friendly, professional manner
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and to deadlines
• Reliable, proactive and willing to take initiative
• Comfortable working as part of a small, busy team.

Desirable

• Previous involvement in the charity or environmental secto
• Experience supporting office logistics
• Experience supporting high-profile or donor events
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM systems
• Interest in conservation, sustainability, or the natural world
• Knowledge of simple budget management or finance procedures.

Additional details and benefits:

• Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays (prorated)
• Training and professional development opportunities provided
• The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme
• Access to 24hr Employee Assistance Programme.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Diversity and Inclusion

At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We therefore encourage applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability for the role.

EVENTS AND OFFICE ASSISTANT - JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTING TO HEAD OF OPERATIONS

EVENT SUPPORT

Whitley Awards Ceremony

The Whitley Awards are the result of an international search to find, fund, train and put a spotlight on outstanding grassroots leaders and their conservation projects. Finalists are invited to London for a week of training and events, culminating with the Whitley Awards Ceremony, where winners receive their Awards from WFN Patron, HRH The Princess Royal in front of 400 guests and many more tuning in via our livestream.

The Events and Office Assistant (EOA) will assist in the planning and delivery of the annual Whitley Awards Week, including the Ceremony, Friends Reception, NGO Reception, and related activities, particularly in the following areas:

• Arrange team and visitor travel, accommodation, and hospitality logistics
• Manage event guest lists and RSVPs using Salesforce and other platforms; help coordinate mail-outs and e-invitations
• Provide on-the-day event support including set-up, guest registration, and general assistance
• Support event logistics such as venue liaison, catering, AV, décor, merchandise, and materials, assisting with supplier coordination
• Champion WFN’s Event Code of Conduct.

Other WFN Events

Throughout the year WFN holds other fundraising and engagement events ranging from intimate dinners with supporters, winner talks, events as part of our Next Gen programme, and major initiatives such as Royal dinners, Galas and Biodiversity Summits which will require the EOA’s assistance.

• Manage ticketing and Q&A platforms and associated activities
• Coordinate volunteer involvement where required
• Support the organisation and logistics of fundraising and engagement events, including acting as venue liaison, arranging catering, managing guest lists, etc
• Assist with production of event materials as needed (signage, name badges, merchandise).

 OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

Smooth running of the WFN office and systems is vital for the charity to work effectively, with this role helping to support the team. The WFN office is a busy and welcoming environment, with regular visits by winners and supporters.

Office Management

• Ensure the office is a welcoming, tidy, and well-functioning space
• Greet visitors and manage incoming calls, emails, and enquiries
• Liaise with team and suppliers to order office materials and manage contracts (utilities, cleaning, stationery, refreshments, merchandise etc.)
• Manage post, deliveries, and waste removal procedures
• Oversee and liaise with the office cleaners to ensure they have the products they need and are paid in a timely manner.

Administrative Support

• Assist with diary management and scheduling meetings (in person and online)
• Arrange team and visitor travel, accommodation, and hospitality logistics
• Draft routine correspondence, thank-you letters, and other administrative communications
• Review and respond to general email enquiries (info inbox)
• Support the Head of Finance with basic administrative and data entry tasks
• Help maintain and update WFN’s CRM database (currently Salesforce) with contacts, donors, suppliers, event attendees
• Support the team with data entry, filing, record keeping, and maintaining digital and physical systems.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Represent WFN professionally at all times
• Adhere to WFN’s financial and operational procedures
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested from time to time. This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve.