At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail estate development and drive efficiency for a charity that helps pets in need.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of pets and their owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38-43 days holiday, health support, and discounts on pet insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working from Burford or Hartlebury with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail estates and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 23816 - 27500 £ per year.
Location: Burford
Application Deadline: 14 August 2026
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
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.
More about the role
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
- Experience in retail estates, property administration, site acquisition or a similar role.
- Strong organisational, administrative skills and prioritisation.
- Experience of working with landlords, agents and external stakeholders.
- Good financial awareness and ability to analyse data.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
- Ability to demonstrate, understand and apply Blue Cross values.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Experience within charity retail.
- Understanding of commercial leases and estate management.
- Experience supporting shop openings, relocations or refurbishments.
- Knowledge of retail performance measures.
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 UK
Blue Cross UK is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. With generous holiday entitlements and comprehensive health support programs, our Burford site fosters a hands-on environment where Maintenance Stewards can thrive and grow in their roles while ensuring the safety and cleanliness of our facilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Estate & Development Support in Burford
✨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 Blue Cross UK, 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 Blue Cross UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Estate & Development Support in Burford
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 Blue Cross UK, 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 Blue Cross UK 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 Blue Cross UK that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨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!
