At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage customers and create an unforgettable shopping experience in our vibrant retail stores.
- Company: Join Aston Villa Football Club, a dynamic team with a passion for sports and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and exciting staff perks while working in a fun environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including matchdays, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing team that values creativity and customer connection in a unique retail setting.
- Qualifications: Previous retail experience and a knack for exceptional customer service are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.85 - 13.85 £ per hour.
The Department
The Club are continuing our rapid growth trajectory both on and off the pitch, further expanding our commercial footprint. Last year, we launched our new retail store in the heart of Birmingham’s iconic Bullring shopping centre, a first of a kind collaboration between adidas and Aston Villa Football Club bringing together the best of adidas Originals, apparel, and sportswear alongside our official Club merchandise. We also reopened our improved ‘Claret, Blue and Brand New’ Villa Park store with a brand-new entrance, an external wrap-around screening with cutting edge forced perspective video, a grab-and-go refreshments station and a green screen photo experience. Both our stores offer unique retail experiences - we are constantly expanding and enhancing our product offering bringing our supporters closer to the Club through products that they love.
The Roles
We are now looking to continue to build our teams in both of our stores who will bring our unique retail experience to life. We have exciting opportunities for Retail Sales Assistants to join our teams who will be our ‘front of house’ team – bringing the energy and creating the ultimate customer shopping experience which is inclusive and welcoming for all. You will work on a weekly rota which will be communicated to you in advance.
- Bullring:
- Full Time - 35 hours a week
- Part Time - 16 hours a week
- Part Time – 12 hours a week
- Variable hours
- Villa Park:
- Full Time – 35 hours a week
- Matchday – working 80% of all Men’s First Team matches at Villa Park
You will offer thoughtful product guidance, assisting and supporting with customer queries all the way through to processing sales at payment points in an efficient and friendly manner. You will make sure that our stores ‘look and feel’ is kept to the highest standard - replenishing stock, maintaining merchandising stands and tidying item displays. You will use your effective selling skills to highlight promotional items to customers and help achieve sales targets whilst maintaining high standards of professionalism with a ‘customer first’ approach.
The Person
We are looking for pro-active, positive and passionate people who thrive in a customer-focused environment and are motivated to achieve sales targets. You will need to have previous experience of working in clothing retail paired with exceptional customer service skills with an engaging approach – you will be an active listener and be able to be persuasive as and when required. Our stores are fast-paced and dynamic environments so you will need to have excellent organisational skills. This is an opportunity to join a growing team who are passionate about creating the best possible retail experience – we need people who can give us consistent reliability. You will be required to work flexibly across a weekly rota including evenings, weekends and matchdays (if at Villa Park) – your weekly rota will be communicated to you in advance.
Why Join Us?
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us!
We are looking to build a talent pool for our Retail Teams – if you are interested, please complete our application form and upload your CV. Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis as and when vacancies arise. Applications will be reviewed regularly and the Club will reach out to shortlisted candidates at any stage. As part of your application, please ensure you upload your CV.
Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embraces equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club.
Retail Sales Assistants employer: Aston Villa Football Club
Joining the Aston Villa Foundation as a Youth Engagement Officer means becoming part of a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people in Birmingham. With a strong focus on employee development, a supportive work culture, and the opportunity to work within world-class facilities, you will find a rewarding environment that values innovation and community engagement. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is heard, making this an exceptional place to grow your career while contributing to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Sales Assistants
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Aston Villa Football Club, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Aston Villa Football Club!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Sales Assistants
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Aston Villa Football Club, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Aston Villa Football Club and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Aston Villa Football Club that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aston Villa Football Club
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
