At a Glance
- Tasks: Bring Christmas magic to life by greeting families, listening to wish lists, and posing for photos.
- Company: Join Dobbies, a beloved garden centre with a festive spirit and a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous discounts, and access to financial and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible shifts from 16th November to 24th December with potential for permanent roles.
- Why this job: Spread joy and create unforgettable memories for families this festive season.
- Qualifications: A warm personality and love for Christmas are essential; experience is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.
'Tis the season for magic, mince pies, and gift lists a mile long. Don't have the big red coat? Don't worry, we provide a full costume, training and guidance, so it's personality that counts to bring an authentic experience to life! If you love Christmas, love people and have a presence that can charm a queue of children and parents alike, we'd love for you to join our team and help bring the magic this festive season.
Rate of Pay
- First time leaving the North Pole with limited experience? £17p/h
- Coming to see us again or with similar proven experience? £20p/h
Responsibilities
- As Santa, you’ll deliver Christmas magic to the whole family through:
- Bringing Christmas to life for every family who visits the grotto: greeting children and their families, listening to Christmas wish lists, posing for photos, and handing out gifts with the warmth, charm and festive spirit that makes each visit an inclusive experience they'll never forget.
- Hosting our enchanting Santa's Breakfasts: welcoming families to magical mornings full of laughter and storytelling, turning breakfast at Dobbies into an unforgettable festive experience for children and grown-ups alike.
- Acting as our ambassador of festive cheer at Santa Paws: bringing twinkling smiles to children, adults and four-legged friends alike.
- Delivering a truly inclusive grotto experience: with training and support from your fellow Santas and Elves, adapting your approach to each visitor's individual needs and preferences, so every family, however they experience the grotto, gets a magical visit.
Who we are looking for
We’re on the lookout for the real Santa Claus. You’ll have a heart full of kindness, a laugh that rumbles like sleigh bells and a natural ability to make everyone you encounter believe in the magic of Christmas.
- You are:
- A wonderful listener, a master storyteller, and endlessly patient: being intuitive with the different needs of those coming to see you (and not at all fazed by long wish lists or tricky questions).
- Warm, jolly and full of festive cheer as well as calm, gentle, and full of genuine care: whether you’re engaging with young children, grown adults or even dogs.
- Punctual and reliable: ready for each shift in costume and character, helping keep the grotto looking magical throughout the day.
- Previous panto, am-dram, customer service or event-hosting experience is a bonus, though not essential. Santa experience isn't required, just warmth and presence.
Essential Requirements
- Due to safeguarding, a basic DBS has to be completed & evidenced before your start date (we'll guide you through this, as it’s just a few steps & is expensed to us).
- Right to work in the UK
- Willingness to attend a short induction/training session before the grotto opens
Start/End Dates
- Start Date from 16th November
- End Date 24th December
If you are interested in staying with the team as a permanent Customer Advisor, this will depend on role availability in Dec/Jan.
What we offer
- Generous annual leave entitlement. Use your holidays when you want with limited statutory days off required.
- Treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls.
- Access to Wagestream: support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for future and financial advice.
- Access to Retail Trust: seek confidential support, access to a virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform.
- Access to Dobbies Academy: continue your development with our eLearning platform and seasonal sessions like Santa School & North Pole Academy.
- Thriving culture; the Dobbies team are passionate, diverse and committed to making it work for our customers.
About Us
At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK. Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all-year-round. Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for. We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.
Father Christmas (Seasonal Santa) in Telford employer: Dobbies Telford
At Dobbies, we create a magical work environment where the spirit of Christmas comes alive! As a seasonal Santa, you'll not only bring joy to families but also enjoy generous benefits like uncapped discounts, access to financial wellbeing support, and opportunities for personal growth through our Dobbies Academy. Join our passionate team in a thriving culture that celebrates diversity and community, making every day a rewarding experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Father Christmas (Seasonal Santa) in Telford
✨Hit the Ground Running with Seasonal Hiring!
Many customer support roles, especially seasonal ones, ramp up around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for hiring fairs or open days in your area. Local businesses often need a boost during peak times, so don’t hesitate to drop in and chat directly with the team at places like Dobbies Telford.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities focused on customer support, like forums or social media groups. This is a fantastic way to connect with others in the field, learn about unadvertised roles, and share experiences. Plus, you never know when a connection might lead to an opportunity at places like Dobbies Telford.
✨Show Off Your Skills!
Since you're targeting a seasonal role, create a quick online portfolio showcasing your customer support skills. Whether it’s resolving customer queries, handling difficult conversations, or just general customer engagement – put it all out there! Make sure to share the link when you apply to Dobbies Telford.
✨Be Prepared for the Busy Season
You know seasonal work can get intense, so brush up on common customer queries and best practices before interviews. When you’re prepared to talk about handling high-stress situations, it shows you’re ready to step in during the crunch periods. This is likely to impress the team at Dobbies Telford!
We think you need these skills to ace Father Christmas (Seasonal Santa) in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Support Skills:In your CV, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in customer support or related fields. This could include resolving customer issues, handling complaints, or even just being a go-to person for friends and family. Use specific examples that demonstrate your capability to help others effectively—the more relatable, the better!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm:For a seasonal role at Dobbies Telford, we want to see your excitement for both the job and the company. Use your cover letter to express why you're interested in customer support specifically and how you're eager to help customers during peak times. Mention any relevant skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit!
Flexibility is Key:Seasonal positions often require adaptability, so emphasise your willingness to work varying shifts or tackle new challenges. Let us know about your flexibility in your cover letter, as it shows you're ready to jump into action when needed and helps us understand your availability throughout the season.
Emphasise Soft Skills and Teamwork:In customer support, your soft skills are just as crucial as your experience. Highlight qualities like patience, empathy, and communication in your CV and cover letter. If you have examples of working in a team to solve problems or improve processes, shout about them—they'll show us how you can contribute to a great atmosphere at Dobbies Telford!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Telford
✨Showcase Your Customer Empathy
In customer support, empathy is key! Come prepared with examples from past experiences where you handled customer issues. Think of specific situations where you turned a frustrated customer into a satisfied one, because those real-life stories will show Dobbies Telford that you've got the right attitude for their team.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with popular customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk. If you've used any chat or ticketing systems before, be ready to discuss how you navigated them and any challenges you overcame. This will demonstrate that you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy, which is super important in this field.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Expect some role-playing during your interview where you'll be asked to deal with a hypothetical customer scenario. Practise handling common issues, such as a complaint about a product or service delay. This will give you a chance to display your problem-solving skills and how you maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Enthusiasm
As this is a seasonal position, let your passion shine! Talk about your willingness to dive into the role, your adaptability to busy periods, and how you thrive in high-pressure environments. Share why you're excited to join Dobbies Telford during this peak time and how you can be an asset to their team.
