Bookshop Manager (London, Balham Books)

About Us

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty. Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

Oxfam Purpose

To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.

Trading Purpose

To make as much money as possible to overcome poverty and suffering.

Our Oxfam Shops

Open for business since 1948, Oxfam shops are at the heart of the charity and their community, raising vital funds and increasing public awareness of what we do. They are always guided by our values of empowerment, accountability and inclusiveness and focused on making as much money as possible.

The Role of our Shop Managers

Commercially aware and constantly looking for new business opportunities, shop managers motivate their teams and create a safe and energised work environment. They have high standards, a strong drive to achieve results and are accountable for their business. The role of the shop manager is empowered, varied, busy and gives the opportunity to work with some amazing people. Shop managers are pivotal for the success of our business and can make a real difference. Oxfam operates a volunteer operating model, in which volunteers are empowered to take over most of the tasks within the shop, including running the shop in the manager’s absence. Often the only paid member of staff, our managers are comfortable in this environment, really enjoy working with others and are great at delegating to their teams. Excellent communicators, they are creative, and always look for opportunities to attract new supporters every day.

Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Key Skills And Competencies Required

• Significant leadership qualities and experience.
• Ability to build, retain and develop a team.
• Strong drive to achieve results through others.
• Ability to delegate, coach and listen.
• Enjoys working with people and has a friendly and approachable manner.
• Ability to manage time under conflicting priorities.
• Ability to demonstrate resilience to the everyday pressures that come with the role.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• High level of motivation, enthusiasm and a sense of fun.
• Open and adaptable to change and able to support others through it.
• Commercial awareness and judgement.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful retail processes and merchandising.
• Ability to understand and interpret basic financial reports.
• IT literacy and numeracy skills.
• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of diversity and gender rights.
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

How To Apply

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), as this role involves unsupervised access to the above-mentioned groups.

A Thriving Diverse Oxfam

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To Do That

We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors. We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring. We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.