The role
Nationally recognised and award-winning Jacobs the Jewellers in Reading, Berkshire are looking for a new member to join our bright, energetic, innovative, and fun retail team. Our retail executive role is wide, with real responsibility and opportunities to make your mark. Aspects include shop floor customer serving and liaising, processing sales/ stock and repairs, marketing and promotion, training and development and more. We believe that roles are always evolving so there's always a conversation to be had about how the role and you could work. It's a full time position, 5 days week from 0845 to 1730, excluding Sundays (save 2 at Xmas time).
Our salary banding for this role is between £26,500 and £36,500 and is dependent on experience. There are many other benefits in our package including training, increasing holiday allowance with service, pension, insurance, and a contractual bonus scheme of between 2.5% and 15% per annum, not to mention learning and development opportunities.
What's the role like?
Working at Jacobs is busy, fun + rewarding. It's challenging at times, but that's part of life and allows for growth + development, something we not only care about but also reward.
A typical day starts at 0845 with us setting the modern, bright shop up with our ranges with a tea or coffee. We have a team meeting going through appointments, priorities, news and what support is needed across the team. At 0930 the doors open, and we balance our share of admin work (could be repairs, stock, events) with client appointment or walk-ins. These could be repair enquiries, new sales leads, returning clients, people looking to sell, deliveries or more. We divide out seeing clients between us. A retail executive would be able to (in time) handle all these interactions or be able to ask for help. They'd take enquiries and if needed, after a client has gone research and liaise with the client to help them. As an established premium independent jeweller we're not a 'high footfall' store but the phone rings and emails come in. We're quite advanced technically in terms of use of computers and technology, so expect that. During the week everyone tends to have a few mini projects to sort individually for example but not limited to cleaning an area, stock checking or training. Lunches start around 1200 and everyone has a break between then and 1430, and again mid afternoon. Afternoons are much the same and we close at 1700, pack up and everyone is out by 1730. At Xmas we work longer hours and 2 Sundays, but that's factored in with time off in lieu – normally we work any 5 days between Monday to Saturday. We've a very planned and tested 'onboarding' process with clear training to kick off your career with us, plus opportunities for industry training too. Regular appraisals are part of the work here, and your progression is taken seriously with an experienced and invested senior team supporting you.
About us
Award winning Jacobs is one of Berkshire's, most established and trusted family-run businesses, a luxury independent jewellery shop now in its third generation. Established almost 80 years ago, the shop specialises in diamond, precious and coloured gemstone jewellery, prestigious watch and jewellery brands plus all the associated services that surround them. To see our range, about us and more click Jacobs the Jewellers.
We've been a Retail Jeweller magazine 'top 100 Inspiring Independent' for 13 consecutive years 2025 to 2012. In 2025 we're finalists for Professional Jeweller Magazine's Retailer of the Year, and for the National Association of Jewellers' Independent Retailer of the Year, as well as Community Engagement of the Year. In 2019 we won 'UK fine jewellery retailer of the year 'with Professional Jeweller magazine and 'UK marketing event of the year' with Retail Jeweller magazine. In 2018 Jacobs were voted 'Retailer of the Year' in the Reading Retail awards; in 2017 Jacobs won a Pride of Reading award for our services to the community.
With an in house workshop, plus on site designer, our smart and close team work together to deliver exceptionally consistent, trustworthy and enjoyable shopping experience. Locally, we believe in strong community links / participation, raising money for charity and contributing to community groups. Nationally, our reputation in the industry is excellent with strong relationships across the country; Adam Jacobs is a recognised leadership figure in the industry as Chair of The National Association of Jewellers and active participation in the Goldsmiths' Company. We're committed to staff development and learning, with best-in-breed team management and a forward thinking approach to working.
Indicative Job description
2 – 6 years experience minimum plus demonstration of all skills. Reports to: Assistant Manager and Manager
Professional
Selling jewellery to the agreed Jacobs policies and procedures, handling discount effectively Participating in the retail selling and shop floor business processes Participating in the administrative business processes including stock, repairs, services and digital aspects Carrying out any required valuations and any required administrative work To maximise profits, maintaining the ethos and integrity of the business Following up leads Looking after customers after sales in the 'Customers for life' program Assisting with any marketing activities including online
Rapport and Communication
Helping with problem solving
Clear communication with colleagues and seniors
Supporting all the team
Skills
Assisting with range selection
Coaching, mentoring & developing yourself and supporting others in the context of retail jewellery and the infrastructure of a modern business, induction programs
Completion of Jacobs sales training scheme
Assisting with price changes
Additional
At all times maintaining & enhancing Jacobs' reputation in the trade, with customers and in the community
Adhering the ethos and principles of the business as in the Employee Handbook
And any other tasks deemed necessary by management for the benefit of the business.