At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a retail team to drive growth and enhance customer experiences across stores and online.
- Company: Join a nationally recognised charity with a mission to end homelessness.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension contribution.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes role while shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Proven retail leadership experience, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for social impact.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a nationally recognised charity with an ambitious mission to end homelessness. With a growing retail portfolio and a bold 10‑year strategy for growth, the organisation is seeking an experienced retail leader to drive the next phase of its commercial development.
This is a high‑impact leadership role offering the opportunity to shape a modern, customer‑focused retail operation spanning both physical stores and e‑commerce channels. As Interim director of retail, you will lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary retail team, overseeing a portfolio of 17 shops, e‑commerce operations, stock and logistics, facilities, and licensing functions.
You will be responsible for delivering commercial growth, improving operational performance, integrating online and in‑store customer experiences, and preparing the retail estate for future expansion. The role will also involve driving sales performance, enhancing the volunteer experience, establishing strategic partnerships, securing investment opportunities, and ensuring operational excellence across the retail network.
The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of leading and growing retail operations, ideally within a charity or small‑format retail environment. You will possess strong commercial and financial acumen, experience managing large operational teams, and a successful history of delivering revenue growth. Knowledge of e‑commerce, retail expansion strategies, customer experience development, and cross‑functional stakeholder engagement will be essential.
Strong leadership skills, a collaborative approach, and a commitment to equality, inclusion, and social impact are also key requirements.
The role offers a salary of £80,000 per annum for a 35‑hour working week, with flexible and hybrid working options. Benefits include 28 days' annual leave rising to 31 days with service, the option to purchase up to 10 additional days, an 8.5% employer pension contribution, enhanced family leave policies, wellbeing leave, and interest‑free loans for season tickets, cycle‑to‑work schemes, and tenancy deposits.
Retail Director (Six-Month FTC) employer: Fashion Personnel
Join a nationally recognised charity dedicated to ending homelessness, where your leadership will directly impact the lives of many. With a strong commitment to equality and social impact, we offer a collaborative work culture that values employee growth through training and development opportunities. Enjoy flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and a supportive environment that prioritises both personal and professional wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Director (Six-Month FTC)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Director (Six-Month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Fashion Personnel:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Fashion Personnel! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fashion Personnel
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Fashion Personnel offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Fashion Personnel and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
