Director of Retail

We are seeking an outstanding Director of Retail to lead one of Sense's most significant income-generating operations. This is a critical executive leadership role, responsible for the strategic direction, performance, and future resilience of 108 charity shops, employing over 300 staff and generating £15m annual turnover. Reporting directly to the Chief Finance & Commercial Officer, you will lead a national retail team and play a pivotal role in ensuring Sense's long-term financial sustainability. You will drive innovation, commercial excellence, and operational effectiveness – building a modern, resilient retail model that supports Sense's mission and responds to a fast-changing retail landscape. This is a hybrid role, working between home and our site in Crayford, with regular travel to our charity shops across the UK.

Key Objectives

• Develop and deliver a national retail strategy that drives sustainable income growth across physical shops and e-commerce.
• Lead digital and operational innovation to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and maximise profitability.
• Build strong strategic partnerships to extend reach, visibility, and income.
• Champion sector-leading retail practice, ensuring Sense remains competitive, agile, and future-focused.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership to a high-performing national retail team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive retail performance using data-led insights to identify opportunities, manage risk, and deliver results.
• Strengthen and diversify income streams, including expanding and optimising e-commerce.
• Lead financial planning and performance management, ensuring delivery of income targets and strong return on investment.
• Optimise the retail property portfolio to ensure value for money, profitability, and estate sustainability.
• Lead scenario planning and build operational resilience to respond effectively to market changes.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and risk management across all retail operations.
• Strengthen community engagement and deliver a consistent, high-quality customer experience across all retail locations.
• Represent Sense Retail externally, building influence with sector bodies, partners, and stakeholders.
• Embed sustainability and social responsibility into retail practices, supporting Sense's commitment to addressing the climate crisis.

About You

You will be a strategic, values-driven retail leader with the credibility and experience to operate at executive level.

You Will Bring

• Proven success in a senior retail leadership role within a large multi-site charity, public sector body, or comparable organisation.
• A strong track record of driving income growth, innovation, and transformation.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams through change.
• Deep knowledge of charity retail governance, regulation, and best practice.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing significant budgets and using performance analytics to inform decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to executive teams and boards.
• A clear commitment to equity, inclusion, and the rights of disabled people.
• Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to lead calmly and confidently in a complex environment.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying. Please note we reserve the right to close posts at any time. Submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and, as such, no fee will be payable.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role. For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they are given the opportunity to realise their potential.