Assistant Retail Manager

Working in Retail is at the front line of raising the funds we need to deliver our cause, whilst delivering an exceptional service for our visitors.

The Hours: 37.5 per week, average shift 9.30-5.30 or 10-6. Working five across seven days flexible across the week, Weekend work required and essential. weekends off on a rota basis. Bank holiday working essential shared across team. Some evening work may be required in relation to events.

The Salary: £24,843 per annum, We're currently undertaking our pay review process and it is likely that this salary will be increased from 1st April 2025.

Duration: Permanent

What it's like to work here

Polesden lacey shop and plant area is one of the busiest and profitable shops in the National Trust. We are looking for a dynamic, resourceful, and ambitious individual to help us drive this forward further. If you have a love for service, selling and a passion for creating and managing a happy, successful, and profitable team then we'd love to hear from you.

The Polesden Lacey retail offer includes a large shop, and plant and garden decorative sales area in our enclosed courtyard therefore a willingness to work outside in rain or shine is needed. This also may involve some heavy lifting. Working alongside the Retail Manager and Retail Team Leader and supporting a team of 9 permanent staff, 5 seasonal staff and 3 volunteers this is a small but motivated team. With an opportunity to be involved in other departments across site from liaising with gardeners so we can order the best plants working across a seasonal calendar, to working closely with our visitor experience teams to ensure great marketing opportunities and ranges that work with the seasonal offers on site this role is exciting and varied. We also work on creating fantastic ranges from our local artisans and this is something that you will be involved in, from finding and setting up new makers to planning and organising in house experiential retailing such as 'meet the maker' programs to celebrate these incredible makers and products.

What you'll be doing

With your love of leading people and ambition to deliver beyond expectation, your role will be to assist the Retail Manager lead and co-ordinate the retail team to deliver a beloved and unique retail experience here.

Through supervising and motivating staff and volunteers, you'll manage the day to day operation and ensure the retail team are engaged to exceed customer service expectations, and are proud to talk about the amazing work the National Trust are carrying out, with the money that is invested at our property. You will be comfortable stepping up to take full responsibility of the shop to cover the Retail Manager's holidays and other absence as and when needed

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what's possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

• Enjoy working with and supervising a team and unafraid to give direction and feedback
• Target / Sales driven
• Customer aware and take pride on delivering excellent customer service
• Experience managing a retail operation with knowledge of retail best practice (including selling, merchandising, space management, stock control, risk)

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places