At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a diverse retail portfolio to support vital community care.
- Company: Weston Hospicecare, a compassionate charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to enhancing lives through palliative care.
- Why this job: Shape the future of charity retail while making a meaningful impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in retail, strategic vision, and a passion for community service.
Weston Hospicecare is seeking a Director of Retail to lead and develop our retail division at a pivotal moment in our journey. This is a senior leadership role with influence and autonomy, giving the opportunity to shape a vital income stream that directly supports specialist palliative and end-of-life care for our local community.
About the role
As Director of Retail, you will provide strategic leadership for a diverse retail portfolio comprising 16 shops across North Somerset and Somerset, e-commerce operations, and the associated logistics and donation processes. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the senior leadership team and Trustees, providing significant Board-level engagement, you will develop and deliver a forward-thinking, sustainable retail strategy that responds to evolving customer behaviours, high street trends, economic pressures and developments within the wider charity retail sector.
Just as importantly, you will lead, inspire and develop a committed team of paid staff and volunteers, creating a high-performance, values-led culture where people feel supported, accountable and proud to be part of their local community. By building strong relationships across the hospice and working collaboratively, you will maximise income opportunities, strengthen community engagement, and protect and enhance the hospice’s reputation.
What you will bring
We are looking for a leader who combines commercial credibility with warmth, empathy and purpose, and who can confidently operate at both strategic and operational levels. You will demonstrate:
- Commercial and strategic leadership
- Significant experience of maximising resources and delivering strong commercial performance within a retail setting
- The ability to develop, articulate and deliver a clear, ambitious and sustainable retail strategy
- Agility and confidence to move comfortably between board-level conversations and front-line retail operations
- People and culture
- A proven ability to lead, inspire and develop diverse teams of paid staff and volunteers
- A collaborative leadership style that brings people with you, fostering ownership and accountability
- Resilience to lead effectively through challenge and uncertainty, responding openly and constructively to feedback and change
- Credibility, confidence and presence to inspire others and lead effectively through change
- Values and behaviours
- A genuine passion for charity retail and the difference it can make in communities
- Warmth, empathy and compassion, personifying our hospice values in how you lead
- A values-led approach with a commitment to encouragement, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement
- A strong commitment to building effective relationships with trustees, colleagues, supporters, customers and donors, patients and their loved ones
Why join us?
- A senior leadership role with real influence, autonomy and purpose
- The opportunity to take our retail division to the next level at a crucial time
- A supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment with passionate, committed colleagues
- A sector-competitive salary and benefits package
- Access to training, professional development and wellbeing support
We are seeking to appoint a permanent Director of Retail; however, we will also welcome applications from experienced interim retail leaders who can bring immediate expertise, stability and momentum during this important period while we recruit to the permanent role.
Weston Hospicecare is located in the quiet village of Uphill on the North Somerset coast, and was founded by our local community over 30 years ago. We are the major provider of specialist palliative care within the catchment we serve, offering in-patient, community, day care and related services to patients, and bereavement support to their families and loved ones. All our care is provided free of charge to whomever needs it, however it costs approximately £7 million every year to provide our full range of services, of which less than 20% is funded by the NHS. The remainder is raised each year through a combination of our retail division income, our multi-varied fundraising activities, and gifts in wills.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or any other category protected by law.
Director of Retail employer: Weston Hospicecare
Weston Hospicecare is an exceptional employer, offering a senior leadership role as Director of Retail that allows you to make a meaningful impact on the community while leading a passionate team. With a supportive and collaborative work culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development, you will thrive in a values-led environment that prioritises empathy and inclusion. Located in the serene village of Uphill, North Somerset, you will be part of a dedicated organisation that plays a vital role in providing specialist palliative care, making your work not just a job, but a rewarding mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Retail
✨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 Weston Hospicecare, 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 Weston Hospicecare!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Retail
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 Weston Hospicecare, 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 Weston Hospicecare 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 Weston Hospicecare that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Weston Hospicecare
✨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!
