At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail development by identifying new shop locations and managing property efficiency.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity transforming lives through retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38-43 days holiday, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working from Burford or Hartlebury with great career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for pets while developing your career in retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in site acquisition or commercial property evaluation is essential.
The predicted salary is between 23816 - 27500 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 14 August 2026
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Burford
Reporting To: Group Head of Fundraising & Retail & Trading
Compensation: £23,816 - £27,500 / year
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours p/week Monday - Friday
Salary: £23,816 - £27,500
Location: Could be based out of either our Hartlebury Retail Office, Worcestershire or Blue Cross offices in Burford, Oxfordshire with hybrid working
Closing date: Friday 14th August 2026
Interview date: Interviews will be arranged as applications are received
At Blue Cross, our shops do more than sell pre‑loved treasures - they help fund vital care for pets in need. Every new shop means more tails wagging, more purrs of comfort and more lives transformed. We’re looking for someone who can spot a great opportunity, loves a challenge and wants to use their property and retail experience to make a real difference.
In this varied and hands‑on role, you’ll play a key part in driving efficiency and value across our national retail estate. Working closely with the Group Head of Fundraising and Retail and the Retail Operations Manager, you’ll identify opportunities to reduce costs, streamline processes, and maximise the return on every pound we spend across our property portfolio.
You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the charity to ensure robust management of our leasing and property spend. Alongside this, you’ll lead on identifying and assessing new shop locations, managing relationships with agents and landlords, and supporting lease negotiations to secure the most favourable terms. You’ll conduct site visits, prepare clear business cases and performance reports, and ensure new shop openings are delivered on time and within budget.
You’ll also help existing shops reach their full potential through thoughtful planning, performance analysis, and well‑managed refurbishment projects that balance commercial benefit with brand impact. Every efficiency you deliver and every new shop you help open contributes directly to the vital work Blue Cross does. This is an opportunity to make a real, measurable difference while ensuring our resources go further for the pets and people who rely on us most.
Please note this is one vacancy that will be advertised under multiple locations. The successful candidate can be based at either our Hartlebury Retail Office, Worcestershire, or our offices in Burford, Oxfordshire.
About you
Ideally, you’ll have some experience in site acquisition or commercial property evaluation, along with strong organisational and project management skills. You’ll understand what makes a shop profitable and sustainable, and you’re confident working across different teams to make things happen. A full driving licence is a must.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Demonstrable experience of site acquisition or commercial property evaluation.
- Proven ability to assess locations based on financial, operational and community potential.
- Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple projects and documentation.
- Financial competence, including understanding of gross and net income, breakeven analysis, and retail forecasting.
- Demonstrable project management experience, from planning through to delivery.
- Experience of working with agents, landlords and third‑party contractors.
- A full driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Experience within charity retail, particularly in site planning or shop development.
- Familiarity with Health and Safety compliance in a retail environment, including fire safety, asbestos and risk assessments.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
Retail Estate & Development Support in Burford employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Blue Cross For Pets is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. Located in Burford, the role of Senior Insights & Reporting Analyst provides a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful fundraising efforts while enjoying a hybrid working model and a generous benefits package that fosters growth and collaboration among team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Estate & Development Support in Burford
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Blue Cross For Pets.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Blue Cross For Pets? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Blue Cross For Pets's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Estate & Development Support in Burford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Retail Estate & Development Support role at Blue Cross For Pets, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Blue Cross For Pets operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Blue Cross For Pets. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Blue Cross For Pets.
