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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in a vibrant bookshop, engaging with the community and driving positive change.
- Company: Join The Children’s Society, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible working, and a stakeholder pension scheme with matching contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while sharing your love for books.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and a passion for leadership and community engagement.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development through our Bespoke Management Development Programme.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 29000 £ per year.
Permanent Location: The Children's Society Book Shop, Calverton, Notts
37 hours per week over Monday to Sunday
£25,760 per annum
We offer many enhanced benefits including:
- 28 days holiday a year, plus Bank Holidays
- Stakeholder pension scheme with matching contributions up to 8%
- Free confidential counselling service: available to all staff and volunteers
- Free parking space at the shop
- Flexible working days depending on business needs
- Opportunity for all managers to join our Bespoke Management Development Programme - Compass
Full details about our benefits can be found on our website.
Responsibilities
We’re looking for a confident and motivated Shop Manager to lead our bookshop team in our Calverton shop. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to engage with the local community, shape the shop’s future, and drive up income to support young people. You’ll be responsible for managing an Assistant Shop Manager and a brilliant team of volunteers, working together to turn donated goods into meaningful support for young people. You’ll lead and inspire existing volunteers, and attract, recruit and develop new ones to build a team that maximises the shop’s potential. If you have retail management experience and enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life, this could be the perfect role for you. If you’re also passionate about making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Qualifications / Requirements
Do you have a passion for books and media? Do you have retail experience and a flair for leadership? Are you a natural leader with a drive for results and a passion for making a difference? We’re looking for a confident and motivated Shop Manager to lead our bookshop team.
About The Children’s Society
The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We’re there for children, every step of the way. We run over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children’s lives happier and safer. Every day we’re changing the lives of children in this country for the better – and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.
Safeguarding and recruitment
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.
Closing and interview dates
This vacancy closes at midnight on 1st February 2026. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.
Bookshop Manager employer: The Children's Society
Contact Detail:
The Children's Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bookshop Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the shop and its community! Before your interview, pop into the bookshop, chat with the team, and understand what makes it tick. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with the local vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Think of examples from your past where you’ve inspired a team or improved sales. We want to see how you can motivate volunteers and make a real difference in the shop.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your passion for books! Share your favourite reads and how they’ve influenced you. This not only highlights your love for literature but also connects you to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Bookshop Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Books: When writing your application, let your love for books shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your connection to literature and how it drives you to lead a bookshop.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to emphasise your retail management experience and leadership flair. We want to see how you've inspired teams in the past and how you plan to motivate our volunteers to maximise the shop's potential.
Connect with Our Mission: We’re all about making a difference for young people. In your application, mention why this mission resonates with you and how you can contribute to our goals at The Children’s Society.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨Know Your Books
Brush up on your knowledge of popular books and authors, especially those that resonate with the community. Being able to discuss your favourite reads or recommend titles can show your passion for the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about times when you motivated volunteers or managed staff effectively. Highlighting your leadership style will demonstrate that you're ready to inspire the bookshop team.
✨Engage with the Community
Research local events or initiatives that The Children’s Society is involved in. Showing that you understand the importance of community engagement and have ideas on how to enhance it in the bookshop will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Financial Goals
Since driving income is a key responsibility, come prepared with strategies on how you would increase sales and manage donations. Discussing your approach to achieving financial targets will show that you’re results-driven and ready to make a difference.
