Retail Cover Manager in Surrey

Are you looking for a flexible retail role where you can make a meaningful difference? As a Retail Cover Manager, you'll play an important role in supporting our charity retail operation, helping our shops continue to generate vital income for Shooting Star Children's Hospices. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and flexibility. Rather than being based in one location, you'll work across our retail network, supporting different shops and teams wherever cover is needed.

You'll gain valuable experience across a range of locations, meet a variety of people, and be part of a passionate team united by a common purpose. You'll provide management support during periods of annual leave, sickness absence, vacancies and busy trading periods, ensuring our shops continue to operate smoothly. Depending on the needs of the shop, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the store, leading volunteers, delivering excellent customer service, maximising sales opportunities, and maintaining high standards throughout the customer journey.

You'll also help ensure our shops are safe, welcoming and well-presented, while adhering to legal requirements and Shooting Star Children's Hospices policies and procedures. Please note: This role involves travelling to our retail locations in Cobham, Godalming, Guildford, Hampton Hill, Knaphill, Shepperton, Teddington, Twickenham and Weybridge and you’ll therefore need to be a car owner/driver (mileage expenses paid). You may occasionally be required to support our Distribution Centre; however, the primary focus of the role is providing cover and support across our retail shop network. Flexibility to work across different locations, including weekends, is essential.

You'll be an experienced retail professional who enjoys working in different environments and quickly building positive relationships with colleagues, volunteers and customers. You are confident stepping into new situations, adapting to changing priorities and providing support wherever it's needed most. You will have experience working within a retail or charity retail environment, along with previous experience of leading or supervising teams.

You'll be a natural communicator, able to motivate others, delegate effectively and create a positive and inclusive working environment. We're looking for someone who is customer-focused, organised and proactive, with the ability to balance competing priorities in a busy retail setting. You'll be comfortable maintaining high standards of merchandising, stock control, cash handling and shop presentation, while ensuring policies and procedures are followed at all times. Most importantly, you'll be passionate about making a difference.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine flexibility and variety with rewarding work that directly supports children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families and those who have been bereaved. Every shift you work will help our shops generate the income needed to provide vital care, practical support and counselling services to those who need them most.

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include: Health and wellbeing, Mental Health First Aiders, Safeguarding. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence. We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Anticipated closing Date: 06/12/2026. Please note that vacancies may close at any time once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We therefore recommend submitting your application as early as possible.