At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire retail teams to create joyful moments for families in need.
- Company: Join Julia's House, a compassionate children's hospice charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, generous pension, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values diversity, inclusion, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while developing your leadership skills in a caring environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for community support.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Making every purchase count. Creating joyful moments for children and families.
The opportunity
Following an internal promotion, we have a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced Retail Area Manager to join Julia's House at a pivotal time of growth. As we continue to invest in and expand our retail portfolio, you'll play a key role in shaping the future success of our shops and the vital income they generate.
Our shops do far more than raise vital income. They are welcoming community hubs, places of connection, generosity and care — and every sale helps us create precious, joyful moments for children with life-limiting conditions and the families who love them.
As Retail Area Manager you'll build on strong foundations, inspire high-performing teams and champion exceptional customer and donor experiences that strengthen both our income and reputation. The Area Retail Manager role reports into our Head of Retail.
About the role
Our Retail team is an integral part of Julia’s House. You’ll have operational responsibility for our growing retail estate managing up to 7 shops predominantly in Wiltshire but with the possibility to cover some Dorset shops too. You'll lead a team of Shop Managers and work closely with colleagues across Volunteering, HR, Finance, Marketing and Facilities to deliver exceptional retail performance.
This is a leadership role with genuine purpose—one where commercial success directly translates into life-changing support for local children and families.
Your key responsibilities include:
- Driving growth
- Delivering sales and profit targets by leading and supporting our Shop Teams
- Strengthening the performance of our existing estate through strong foundations and brilliant execution
- Working closely with our Health, Safety and Facilities Manager to support new store openings, retail events and estate development opportunities.
- Team leadership and culture
- Working in partnership with HR and Volunteering to recruit, develop and inspire a high-performing retail team
- Working in close collaboration with our Health, Safety and Facilities manager to ensure that all stores and retail activities meet our expected standards.
- Champion Health and Safety throughout the retail estate and team.
- Creating a collaborative, inclusive culture where people feel valued, empowered and proud of the difference they make
- Building on our customer-focused retail strategy to maximise sustainable income and long-term value for the charity
- Ensuring our shops reflect and enhance the Julia’s House brand, values and reputation
- Financial and budgetary management
- Working with Shop Managers to review P&L performance, celebrate success and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Operational excellence
- Making sure systems, processes and compliance standards are fit for purpose
- Continuously reviewing performance to deliver consistently high standards across the estate
What you’ll need
You’ll be comfortable working across regions with travel required to our Head Office and Creekmoor stores. A full driving licence and access to a car for business use are essential. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
About us
Julia’s House is an award-winning children’s hospice charity dedicated to bringing comfort and care to families across the two counties. Each family we support is unique and so is the care we provide. When a family finds out that their child has a very serious medical condition, which is life-limiting or life-threatening, their world falls apart. Julia’s House exists to help these children and their families.
The Benefits
- 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Generous pension scheme (existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme may retain membership on joining Julia's House)
- Life Assurance scheme
- Free eye tests
- Blue Light Card scheme
- The Lifestyle Card scheme
- Concert4carers scheme
- Comprehensive induction
- Ongoing commitment to developing staff
- Mentoring scheme
At Julia's House, I'm treated as a whole person, rather than just a worker. Everyone across the team genuinely cares about the wellbeing of their colleagues and there's a culture of autonomy and flexibility which allows me to be my best self at work.
There is a real sense of community at all levels at Julia's House. The values and behaviours of all are clear to see and demonstrated day to day. People care for and recognise you as an individual, whilst genuinely value your contribution and what you bring to the team - I have been unquestionably welcomed into the whole team.
Area Retail Manager employer: Julia's House
Julia's House is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, where your contributions directly impact the lives of children with life-limiting conditions. With opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a commitment to employee well-being, working in our Wiltshire and Dorset shops offers a unique chance to be part of a meaningful mission while enjoying a fulfilling career in retail management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Retail Manager
✨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 Julia's House, 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 Julia's House!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Retail Manager
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 Julia's House, 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 Julia's House 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 Julia's House that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Julia's House
✨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!
