At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee shop operations on Sundays and support a diverse team of volunteers.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible leave, and discounts on travel and tech.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Great customer service skills and adaptability in a lively environment.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Millions of bargain-hunters. Endless pre-loved items. One meaningful purpose.
Retail store assistant (with keyholder responsibility)
£12.71 per hour plus benefits
Reports to: Shop manager
Department: Trading
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 6 – Sundays only
Location: Edinburgh, Portobello
Closing date: 21st June 2026 23:55
Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.
We’re looking for a motivated retail assistant to join Cancer Research UK’s trading team. You’ll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK and taking responsibility for the shop on a Sunday. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.
What will I be doing?
- Overseeing the running of the shop on a Sunday, including taking keyholder responsibility (training provided) and supporting a talented and diverse team of volunteers.
- Assisting the wider shop team in achieving sales and fundraising targets.
- Reviewing and processing donated goods and new stock.
- Coming up with creative ideas to help generate new income, with guidance from the Shop Manager.
- Using your customer service skills to make sure our customers and supporters feel welcome and appreciated.
- Maintaining shop standards regarding safeguarding, compliance and health and safety.
- There will be a varied amount of manual handling and physical activity within the day-to-day duties of the role.
What are you looking for?
- A working knowledge of what makes great customer service.
- Experience of working in a lively and vibrant environment.
- Adaptability in changing situations, including being able to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
- Commercial awareness.
- The ability to create relationships and communicate well.
- Flexibility; our retail teams cover the needs of their stores by working on a rota basis.
What will I gain?
We make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more. Our retail teams also have access to confidential wellbeing support from the Retail Trust.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively. Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
Retail Sunday Assistant (Edinburgh, Portobello) employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values personal and professional growth. As a Retail Sunday Assistant in the vibrant Portobello area of Edinburgh, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, a generous benefits package, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer while working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers. We foster an inclusive environment where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Sunday Assistant (Edinburgh, Portobello)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Cancer Research UK and understand their mission. This will help you connect your passion for retail with their purpose of beating cancer during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond for customers. This will show that you’re ready to create a welcoming environment in the shop.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your adaptability! Retail can be unpredictable, so think of times when you’ve successfully handled changes or challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a lively environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the fight against cancer.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Sunday Assistant (Edinburgh, Portobello)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're filling out your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about helping us beat cancer and making a difference in the community.
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to customise your answers to reflect the skills and experiences that match what we’re looking for. Highlight your customer service experience and any retail knowledge you have – it’ll help us see why you’d be a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid long-winded explanations. Just get straight to the good stuff that shows us why you’re the right person for the job!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered fairly in our anonymised shortlisting process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Purpose
Before the interview, take some time to understand Cancer Research UK's mission and values. Being able to articulate why you want to work for a charity that aims to beat cancer will show your passion and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Think about how you made customers feel welcome and appreciated, as this is crucial for the role of a Retail Sunday Assistant.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork
Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to adapt to changing circumstances or work effectively within a team. Highlighting your ability to be flexible will resonate well with the shop's needs.
✨Bring Creative Ideas
Think of a few creative ideas that could help generate new income for the shop. This shows initiative and aligns with the role's requirement to support fundraising efforts. Be prepared to share these ideas during your interview!
