Senior retail customer assistant jobs
Lead, Inspire & Make a Difference!
Are you passionate about retail and ready to take on a new challenge that makes a real difference in your community?
We’re thrilled to be opening a brand-new charity shop in Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes – and we’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Shop Manager to lead the way from day one! This is a unique opportunity to shape something from the ground up, bring your ideas to life, and build a vibrant team of staff and volunteers.
With your retail expertise and passion for purpose, you’ll be at the heart of launching a very large, successful shop that supports our mission, drives sales, and becomes a valued part of the local community. You’ll be used to working in a fast paced environment and dealing with the challenges this brings.
If you're ready to make your mark and lead an exciting new venture – we’d love to hear from you!
What you’ll do:
✅ Running a large, high density shop efficiently and profitably, maximising sales, Gift Aid, and round-up donations
✅ Managing visual merchandising, stock rotation, and product display to the highest standards
✅ Overseeing the effective sorting, pricing, and presentation of donated goods
✅ Leading and inspiring a team including an Assistant Manager (3 days/week), a Sales Assistant, and a team of volunteers
✅ Organising staff and volunteer rotas to ensure adequate cover, including on weekends
✅ Providing excellent customer service and handling queries or complaints professionally
✅ Monitoring financial performance, managing shop expenses, and ensuring compliance with audit and cash handling processes
✅ Ensuring full compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, and equality policies
✅ Acting as an ambassador for the charity in the local community and supporting fundraising events
What you’ll need:
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Retail management experience (charity retail experience is a bonus, but not essential)
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Strong commercial acumen with proven track record of delivering financial targets
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Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support staff and volunteers
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A customer-focused approach with a friendly and professional manner
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Experience handling cash, banking, and financial reporting
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Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
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Ability to work flexibly in a fast paced environment, including weekends, and to provide occasional cover in other shop locations
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A passion for the charity sector and supporting local communities
Who we are:
Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round-the-clock, expert care to local patients with a life-limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In-Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Business Development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.
Why join us?
The chance to make a real impact in your community
A supportive team and collaborative working environment
Great benefits package – including 35 days' holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays), contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today and help shape the future of retail at Willen Hospice!
This appointment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
For more information and to apply please visit our website
We may close this position early if sufficient applications are received.
Closing date: 5 November 2025
Interviewing: 14th & 15th November 2025
We provide free, compassionate care to adults in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas living with a life-limiting illness.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Us
Rowans Hospice Charity provides free care and support to adults and their families living in the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire region who have a life-limiting illness. Established in 1994, our income is generated by ongoing support of the local community, donations, legacies, fundraising and through our retail shops.
Many people think that hospices are all about dying, but through our many different services, we support people to live as well as they can with their illness. From the moment of diagnosis through to bereavement support. Our Living Well Services put an emphasis on living with a life-limiting illness and patients and carers can drop in and gain advice and support to maintain individuals’ resilience.
The Hospice is also supported by an assembly of volunteers, from various backgrounds and ages who are crucial in supporting the teams to ensure people live well to the end of their life and attain a good death within a caring and compassionate environment.
The Role
To provide high-level, proactive, and confidential administrative and executive support to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. This role ensures the efficient coordination of meetings, communications and strategic initiatives by managing schedules, preparing documentation and facilitating effective information flow. The EA acts as a key point of contact between internal and external stakeholders, supporting the governance and operational effectiveness of the Charity at the highest levels.
You will be the lead administrator for governance, ensuring all statutory and regulatory obligations are met, whilst also supporting the effective running of executive meetings, day-to-day leadership functions and education placements.
Key Responsibilities include (but not limited to – see Job Description for further information)
- Provide PA support to the Chair, Deputy CEO, Company Secretary and SLT, including diary management, correspondence, travel, and meeting coordination
- Provide efficient and professional support to the Board of Trustees and delegated committees, including scheduling, producing annual meeting calendars, preparing agendas, circulating papers, taking accurate minutes and following up on actions
- Provide administrative and logistical support for Doctors and Nursing Student placements
- Develop and maintain efficient systems and processes for executive administration
The ideal candidate will have:
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role ideally in a charity
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Professional and confident interpersonal manner
- Ability to draft high-quality correspondence and reports
- Experience in formal minute-taking and senior board level
What we Offer
In addition to working for a meaningful cause, we provide:
✔️ Company pension (NHS pension retained if transferring from NHS)
✔️Continuous service recognised service if transferring from NHS
✔️ Health & wellbeing programme
✔️ Employee Assistance Programme
✔️ DSE equipment & uniforms provided
✔️ Generous holiday allowance
✔️ Career development opportunities
✔️ Blue Light Card membership
Join Our Team
Apply today and be part of a dedicated team providing vital hospice care to the community
Rowans Hospice is committed to equal opportunities and inclusion in the workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds
For further information please review the Job Description and to apply for the role please use our online application form or upload a CV along with a cover letter, clearly outlining your motivation for applying and how you fulfil the requirements in the job description.
Interviews will take place week commencing 10 November 2025.
Rowans Hospice is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and vulnerable adults needing our care and support. Subsequently, our recruitment process is thorough, ensuring a consistent and detailed approach to gather information from and about candidates so that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Apply now and make a difference!
Please include a cover letter along with your CV outlining your motivation for applying and how you meet the requirements in the job description
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Norwich Theatre is one of the leading arts organisations in the UK and the largest in the East of England, encompassing the historic Theatre Royal, the creative hub Stage Two, and the intimate mid-scale Playhouse. We present, produce and co-create a vibrant programme of live performance and creative engagement activities to entertain, enrich and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and we work with national and international partners to ensure we bring the very best theatre to our region.
We are an independent not-for-profit charity with no regular public funding, and rely on a share of ticket sales, one-off grants, fundraising/membership schemes and other commercial activities to deliver the work we do both on stage and in communities.
About the capital project
The Playhouse Capital Development project is progressing through RIBA stage 3 with a design freeze now implemented. Work will continue to bring together a final stage 3 report which will give clear costings and timeframes for the project, before submitting a formal planning application at the end of October 2025. We anticipate that following this we will seek final approval to progress to RIBA stage 4 and commit to a start date for mid 2027 and a schedule of works that will see the project completed before 2029.
About this role
This part time (average 3 days per week) fixed term role has been created to work cross organisation and to work collaboratively with a new-look Development team to secure additional funding to realise this transformational capital project.
The person will play a pivotal role in our capital fundraising campaign, delivering the fundraising strategy behind this transformative initiative. Working closely with the Assistant Director, Development & Partnerships, senior leadership, trustees, the development team and funders, the postholder will manage the key milestones towards a successful a capital campaign that will transform the theatre’s facilities and secure its long-term future.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking to work with someone with proven fundraising experience, specifically in the charitable sector, and with the ability to secure funding from a wide variety of sources, and work collaboratively with a new Development team supporting shared targets
You should have experience of fundraising for capital projects and a strong understanding of the requirements of time sensitive capital projects for cultural or charitable purposes. You will have experience of planning and delivering major fundraising events for capital targets e.g. gala dinners and auctions.
We Offer
Flexibility of working patterns, a good salary, 25 days holiday (pro rata), plus public holidays, plus your birthday off, together with an inclusive culture focussed on wellbeing and happiness. We have a commitment to personal and professional development, discounts on a range of food, drink and theatre tickets and access to My Discounts, employee discount scheme, offering savings on retail, gyms, travel, utilities and more
This is a part time (average of 3 days per week, with flexibility around working patterns) fixed term role for the duration of the capital campaign (anticipated as 18-24 months)
Closing date 13 November 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you ready to lead one of London’s most vibrant and award-winning arts venues? Union Chapel is seeking a dynamic Venue Manager to oversee our busy calendar of artistic and commercial events, ensuring every visitor leaves inspired, safe, and delighted. This is a unique opportunity to shape the experiences of thousands of guests, lead a passionate team, and drive the success of a venue at the heart of the community.
As Venue Manager, you will be at the helm of our operations, balancing the creative and practical aspects of running a busy venue. From high-profile concerts to community events, you’ll ensure every production runs smoothly, safely, and to the highest standard. You’ll lead a talented team including Visitor Engagement, Bar, and Front of House staff, fostering an environment of collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence in customer service.
Your role will encompass the full spectrum of venue management: coordinating event logistics, managing budgets, overseeing bar and catering operations, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and licensing regulations. You will act as a key point of contact for clients and stakeholders, making sure their events are delivered flawlessly while maintaining Union Chapel’s reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring space.
We’re looking for someone with proven experience in venue management or event leadership, ideally in a high-profile or arts-focused environment. Strong organisational skills, financial acumen, and the ability to motivate and develop teams are essential. Knowledge of licensing, bar operations, and venue management software is highly valued. Above all, you’ll bring a passion for the arts, community engagement, and creating exceptional visitor experiences.
This is a full-time position, requiring flexibility for evenings and weekends, with a salary of £40,000. Beyond operational excellence, the role offers the chance to contribute strategically to the future of Union Chapel, identifying opportunities for business development, audience growth, and continuous improvement of our venue operations.
At Union Chapel, you’ll join a team committed to arts, diversity, and community. You’ll have the autonomy to innovate, the responsibility to lead, and the satisfaction of seeing your efforts directly impact audiences and artists alike. This is more than a management role — it’s a chance to champion live arts, shape memorable events, and make a lasting mark on a beloved London institution.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment, have a track record of operational excellence, and want to lead a team in delivering world-class events, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to become Union Chapel’s next Venue Manager and take centre stage in one of London’s most unique arts venues.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


