At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a creative team in managing a charity shop and engaging with volunteers.
- Company: Crisis, a national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 28 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your skills in retail and management.
- Qualifications: Retail supervisory experience and a passion for charity work.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to social justice and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. In 2024 we embarked on our new 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. Our shops generate valuable income to support our services, create opportunities for homeless people to learn new skills and contribute to Crisis’ work in the community.
We are recruiting for an Assistant Shop Manager to join a busy and creative team in Islington. You will collaborate to build a group of volunteers from all walks of life, raising money to fund Crisis’ work ending homelessness. We are bold with a culture of continuous review and improvement, where we try new things, take risks, and sometimes fail. Your voice will count!
We also work closely with local artists and universities. We’d love you to bring your own ideas, along with your experience of fashion, retail and current trends, to this role. You will have opportunities to build your own skills and career progression through training and development – many of our shop managers were promoted internally.
Ensuring our recruitment practices are as equitable as possible is our number one priority so we are looking for someone who advocates for others and challenges injustice. You will be primarily based in the Islington shop, but you may be required to travel to other shops within London 1 & 2 on a short‑term basis.
To be successful in this role you will have retail experience at a supervisory level alongside a genuine interest in charity retail. You will be keen to build your people‑management skills including working with Crisis members. We are particularly interested in meeting candidates with an interest or background in visual merchandising, although this is not essential. You will be committed to Crisis’s values and mission to end homelessness.
We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good.
Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness. Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community.
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- A competitive salary.
- Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
- Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm
- Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
- And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you to complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.
Closing date Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 23:59.
If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.
Assistant Shop Manager employer: CRISIS UK
Contact Detail:
CRISIS UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the charity! Research Crisis and its mission to end homelessness. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how your past experiences align with the role. Be ready to share specific examples of your retail experience and how you've managed teams or projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to ending homelessness.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, so don’t hold back. Remember, we’re looking for genuine passion for charity retail and a commitment to our mission.
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant retail experience you have, especially in supervisory roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills can contribute to our team and help us end homelessness together.
Answer the Screening Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time with the screening questions. They’re your chance to showcase your understanding of our values and how you align with them. Think about how your past experiences relate to the role and what you can bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re part of our fair and transparent process. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRISIS UK
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Crisis's mission to end homelessness. Familiarise yourself with their values—Bold, Impactful, Collaborative, and Equitable—and think about how your own experiences align with these principles. This will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Retail Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous retail experience, especially any supervisory roles. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed a team or improved sales. Highlight any experience you have with visual merchandising, as this could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Bring Ideas to the Table
Crisis values creativity and innovation, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas during the interview. Whether it’s about fundraising strategies or engaging volunteers, showing that you can think outside the box will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to making a difference.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Since Crisis is committed to diversity and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you advocate for others and challenge injustice. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your ability to work with diverse groups and how you can contribute to creating an equitable environment in the shop.