Part-time and flexible working arrangements will be considered
Location:
Alder Hey Children’s Charity (Old Swan and Huyton shops), Liverpool
Job Purpose:
The Head of Retail will provide strategic leadership and expert insight to review, strengthen and evolve Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s retail operation during a six-month period of strategic development.
Working closely with the Director of Operations & People the postholder will undertake a comprehensive review of the charity’s retail portfolio, identifying opportunities to maximise income, improve operational effectiveness and enhance supporter engagement.
The role will assess the current retail model, including shop performance, operational structures, processes and growth opportunities, and develop clear recommendations and a practical roadmap for the future development of retail income at Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
This is a highly collaborative role requiring strong commercial insight, charity retail expertise and the ability to translate analysis into actionable plans that will support the charity’s long-term income growth and sustainability.
Main Duties/Tasks
Strategic Review and Development
* Lead a comprehensive strategic review of Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s retail operations, including shop performance, operational structure, systems and processes.
* Assess the current retail model to identify opportunities for income growth, efficiency improvements and enhanced supporter engagement.
* Benchmark retail performance against charity sector best practice and comparable retail operations.
* Develop strategic recommendations and a clear roadmap to strengthen the long-term sustainability and growth of the charity’s retail income. Retail Performance and Commercial Insight
* Analyse financial performance, sales data, stock flow and operational costs across the retail portfolio.
* Identify opportunities to improve profitability, operational efficiency and customer experience.
* Review pricing, merchandising, stock management and donation processes to optimise retail income.
* Provide clear insights and reporting to inform strategic decision-making by the senior leadership team.
Operational Improvement
* Review existing retail processes, structures and ways of working to identify opportunities for improvement.
* Introduce practical operational improvements that can be implemented during the contract period where appropriate.
* Ensure retail operations follow best practice in compliance, Gift Aid, health and safety and charity retail standards.
* Identify potential opportunities for retail growth, innovation or diversification, including new retail formats or channels where appropriate.
* Assess opportunities to strengthen community engagement and donation generation through retail activities.
* Support the development of a longer-term retail strategy aligned with the charity’s overall income generation ambitions.
Leadership and Collaboration
* Provide leadership and support to the retail team, fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
* Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, marketing and operations to ensure retail is integrated with the charity’s wider supporter engagement strategy.
* Engage and build strong relationships with volunteers, supporters and key stakeholders connected to retail operations.
Reporting and Strategic Recommendations
* Provide regular updates to senior leadership on findings, opportunities and progress during the review period.
* Deliver a final strategic report outlining key findings, recommended improvements and a clear action plan for the future development of retail at Alder Hey Children’s Charity
Other Duties
* Be an outstanding advocate for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with the core values of the organisation.
* Be an active and supportive member of the Alder Hey Children’s Charity team, contributing to team development and working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.
* Attend and support events run by fundraising teams where required, including occasional out-of-hours working.
* Gain and maintain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the charity’s work, priorities and future plans.
* Any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
* Significant experience in retail leadership, ideally within a multi-site or charity retail environment.
* Proven experience developing and delivering retail strategies that drive income growth.
* Experience managing budgets and monitoring financial performance.
* Experience leading and developing teams, including volunteers where applicable.
* Strong understanding of retail operations including stock management, merchandising and customer experience.
* Experience analysing performance data to inform decision-making.
* Experience working within charity retail.
* Experience reviewing or transforming retail operations.
* Experience developing ecommerce or digital retail channels.
Skills and Attributes
* Commitment to principles of equality, diversity and collaborative working.
* Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written across a range of audiences.
* Ability to build strong working relationships.
* Ability to analyse retail performance data and use insight to inform strategic decision making.
* Self-motivated and positive attitude with the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
* Ability to work in a logical and organised manner and remain focused while adapting quickly to shifting priorities and emerging demands.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently.
* Understand the necessity of dealing carefully and within data protection legislation, with confidential matters, including handling both personal and business critical information.
* Excellent IT skills including Microsoft packages.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate appropriately with all people at all levels.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently, taking the initiative where required.
* A creative and lateral thinker with the ability to look for innovative solutions to problems.
* The ability to develop and maintain relationships with key contacts both inside and outside the Charity and Trust.
* The ability to work cooperatively with colleagues across the Charity to successfully deliver the fundraising strategy.
Additional requirements
* Committed to continuing professional development.
* Strong interest in working for a children’s health charity.
* An understanding of and commitment to the values of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
* Willingness to get involved with activities across the Charity.
* Willingness to occasionally work outside of normal office hours.
* High standards of personal conduct, honesty and integrity.
* Respect for and ability to maintain confidentiality.
* The ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately with donors, including families of children treated in the hospital.
* The ability to plan, prioritise and manage a number of projects simultaneously from start to finish, including meeting demanding time scales.
* The ability to multitask in a busy, fast-paced, office environment.
* Willingness to occasionally work outside normal hours.
Our Values
Here at Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide the way in which we work. By being courageous, working together, being passionate about our work, and making sure that we are creative in what we do, helps us to deliver the support necessary so that our Hospital can continue to deliver the very best care for our young patients and their families.
Our values are:
Courage : we try new things and take risks to innovate and drive forward new ideas. We have the courage to speak up and take a stance. We are accountable, responsive and responsible. We are unstoppable.
Together : we work together as one team, sharing our knowledge and learning. We work in partnership with patients, families, supporters and colleagues. We are respectful, celebrate diversity and empower each other to achieve our aims.
Passion : we are passionate about what we do and why we do it. We work together to share and grow. We inspire others.
Magic : we are fun, creative and child led. We create special moments, provide little extras and go further for our brave young patients.
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*In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy, meaning staff previously working 37.5 hours a week are now working 30 hours a week to enable a four-day working week. We are confident that by embracing a more flexible and balanced approach to work, we can continue to create a thriving and fulfilling work environment while driving growth and success for our charity.
Note : This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification as required by the needs of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make every endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments for applicants who require assistance in carrying out their duties due to a disability. Alder Hey Children’s Charity is committed to equal opportunities and positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Alder Hey Children’s Charity is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
The post holder may be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.
Job Closes: Monday 20th April2026, 12pm
Interviews : Thursday 7th May 2026
View our vision and values by clicking here
You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications must include your CV and a covering letter(because no more than one side of A4)which answers the following questions:
* How do you meet the person specification? If you don’t exactly meet all of the role requirements but have transferable skills please do consider applying and provide details as part of your answer.
* Why do you want to work for Alder Hey Children’s Charity?
Apply for this job by completing the application form below:
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