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.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development through our Bespoke Management Development Programme.
- 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.
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
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and community engagement. With benefits such as 28 days of holiday, a stakeholder pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development through our Bespoke Management Development Programme, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Located in Calverton, our bookshop provides a unique chance to connect with the local community while leading a passionate team dedicated to transforming donated goods into vital support for those in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bookshop 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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society!
We think you need these skills to ace Bookshop 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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society 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 The Children's Society that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨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!
