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Everyone deserves a decent place to live – join Habitat for Humanity Great Britain as our new Director of Retail, and support people to find a safe, affordable home.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced senior level retail professional, with the energy and drive to

lead the successful introduction and expansion of our ReStore network, a charitable home improvement retail concept well established in the USA, Canada and Ireland, but new to Great Britain. This is your chance to take charge of a retail operation with a real purpose—helping families build a better future through safe and affordable housing.

You’ll be joining us at a really exciting time as we’re on an ambitious transformation journey, providing you with the opportunity to directly influence and develop retail expansion and impact in local communities.

Leading a high performing team of staff and volunteers who work collaboratively to generate resource and support for our mission, you’ll be responsible for sales growth and sustainability through strategic innovation, operational excellence, building brand awareness, valuable partnerships and community engagement.

If this sounds like it could be a good match for you, please take a look at the Candidate Pack on our website (Please see vacancies).

Please note: this role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.

Job Description

Department:                      Retail

Reports to:                        National Director

Budget responsibility: Yes

Line management: 2 direct reports (Store Manager x 2) and an overall team of 13 when fully staffed (currently 3 roles staffed)

Location:                           Flexible/hybrid - home-based and with regular travel to stores, internal and external meetings.

About Habitat for Humanity Great Britain

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the global Habitat for Humanity Federation fighting global poverty and homelessness. We believe that a decent home helps to permanently break the cycle of poverty and allows families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.

ReStore is Habitat for Humanity International’s unique, trademarked retail concept which was first opened in 1991 by the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Winnipeg, Canada.  Today there are over 1,000 ReStores successfully operating across Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Northern Ireland.

Job Purpose

To support of Habitat GB’s vision of a decent home for everyone, the Director of Retail is accountable for the successful introduction of a new home improvement retail store to Great Britain called Habitat ReStore, which sells donated home furnishings, appliances, and renovation materials.  Habitat has already successfully introduced ReStore to other parts of its global network, including in the USA, Canada and Ireland, with all proceeds helping us ensure more people have access to decent homes. 

The Director of Retail provides senior and strategic leadership for Habitat GB’s retail strategy, and for the entire ReStore operation. Key responsibilities include the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the impact of ReStore in Great Britain, such as income generation, brand awareness, partnership development, community engagement and outreach. The Director of Retail is also responsible for leading a high performing team to manage the ReStore footprint in Great Britain, and working collaboratively across Habitat GB, the international Habitat network (HFHI), and with external partners.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Retail works to ensure the impact, sustainability, diligence and productivity of the organisation, including engaging in organisational transformation, within the framework of a robust people and culture approach. 

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Strategic development & leadership:

   Provide senior and strategic leadership for end-to-end retail operations.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive commercial and profit-driven strategy aligned with Habitat GB’s mission and goals. 
• Continue to identify and maximise the opportunities, revenue and profit presented by the commercial operations of Retail as well as volunteering, community engagement and other programmes, working in collaboration with colleagues in the Programme Delivery and Fundraising & Partnerships teams.
• Working collaboratively across Habitat GB, review the commerciality of the wider charity and develop commercial projects capable of delivering efficiencies and increasing income which create increased support for the charity’s beneficiaries.
• Work with the Director of Finance, Operations & Compliance and other colleagues to ensure effective and efficient commercial delivery whilst taking accountability for establishing and maintaining appropriate delivery frameworks and governance.
• Lead and empower all ReStore colleagues to maximise income and profit from all Retail and sources (including online) whilst ensuring that costs are contained within budget.
• Lead the development of a plan for expansion of future ReStores.
• Work closely with the Director of Programme delivery and other colleagues to design, deliver and grow community-based outreach programmes connected to ReStore.
• Design and implement effective strategies and processes for programme implementation, including resource allocation, scheduling, and monitoring of progress.
• Ensure programmes are accessible, inclusive, and culturally sensitive to provide the best possible support to target communities.

Leadership of ReStore operations:

• Retain an oversight of new and ongoing commercial operations, including sales, marketing, donations, pricing and operational excellence.
• Monitor and analyse external market trends and competitor activities (not restricted to the UK) to identify and accelerate sustainable opportunities for growth. 
• Support all ReStore communication and marketing using the charity’s comms channels, ensuring optimum strategy & planning, prioritising key areas of operational focus (including store opening, stock donations & volunteering) & shared annual Communications and Brand priorities.
• Develop and lead on building strong productive relationships with external suppliers including builders, designers, till suppliers, utility companies, etc. to ensure ReStore delivers on new store openings expectations and all stakeholder engagements.
• Oversee leasing activities including prospecting, negotiating, and ensuring execution of lease agreements. Negotiate terms and conditions that are favourable for our budget and needs.
• Coordinate property maintenance and repairs including shop renovations and fit out.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards in all commercial activities.
• Ensure excellent risk management, including the identification and mitigation of commercial risks, implementing appropriate controls and safeguards.
• Measure and communicate the social and environmental impact of commercial activities. 

External representation and strategic partnerships development:

• Represent Habitat in Great Britain and, where required, internationally. Work closely with the National Director and others on brand awareness, influencing & engagement opportunities, increasing visibility with partners, communities and other collaborators.
• Work collaboratively with the Fundraising & Partnerships team to support or lead high quality partnerships and strategic relationships.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure the development of high-quality proposals, propositions and reports which leverage opportunities across institutional and non- institutional prospects related to ReStore and contribute to our credibility as a trusted and impactful organisation.
• Be proactive in responding to external challenges as well as opportunities to raise the profile and impact of HFHGB.
• Ensure the organisation, its mission, strategic aims, services and products are consistently presented positively to relevant stakeholders. Act as an advocate for the organisation. Promote and enhance the charity’s position externally and develop and maintain good relations and effective networks with relevant stakeholders.

Performance management, reporting and monitoring: 

• Set ambitious yet achievable revenue targets and other KPIs, monitoring progress effectively, taking proactive steps to meet and, where possible, exceed financial goals.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to oversee the active management of the National Strategy through the co-development of a new Performance Framework for the organisation, ensuring it is robust, strategically aligned, and balances prioritisation and focus with innovation and adaptability. Represent relevant areas of performance in governance forums, including Board level.
• Develop and manage the Retail department's budget, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Coach staff on their commercial acumen, to nurture the teams in how to make the best financial decisions at their level of responsibility.
• Work closely with the Director of Finance, Operations & Compliance to track performance, and contribute to high quality reporting, income forecasting and budget management.
• Measure and communicate the social, financial and environmental impact of commercial/retail/outreach activities.
• Lead and support report to external partners, donors and other stakeholders.

Leadership and management:

• Build and lead a high-performing and ambitious team, inspired to implement and grow the ReStore brand in Great Britain, with a core focus on positive impact in ling with our national strategy.
• Manage, motivate and develop team members. Ensure regular 1-2-1s are held, set individual objectives, encourage a culture of giving and receiving feedback, where kindness and ambition support the progression of people and plans.
• Lead the development of a Volunteer Management programme for ReStore in line with sector-wide and Habitat for Humanity best practice. Including recruitment, onboarding, training, experience, engagement and communications.  Ensure ReStore staff are supported to deliver outstanding volunteer management and build in regular feedback mechanisms.
• Working closely with the Head of People and others, support the ongoing development of a strong safeguarding culture throughout the organisation.
• Lead the development and monitoring of a safeguarding plan for all ReStore operations and programmes, including policy, protocols and training for volunteers and ReStore staff.
• Role model our values in line with Habitat GB’s inclusive approach to people and culture.

Organisational Leadership: 

• Support the National Director in leading the organisation to deliver Habitat GB’s strategy and vision, acting as a collaborative and supportive member of a shared leadership team.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, provide oversight of organisational priorities, productivity, performance, risk and due diligence.
• Be an active leader across the organisation, collaborating effectively with teams, and contributing fully to organisational wide initiatives and opportunities.
• Co-create ways of working to enable an adaptive, collaborative and high performing organisational team.
• Deputise for the National Director when required and represent Habitat GB in national and international meetings and forums.

Person profile:

• Significant retail leadership experience, ideally within a charitable, purpose-driven or social enterprise environment.
• A proven track record of leading teams to success, driving sustainable growth and profitability in a retail environment.
• Skilled in building strong relationships with diverse types of external partners, donors, volunteers, staff and stakeholders to achieve business and community-focussed impact objectives.
• Understands relevant legal and compliance requirements, with a track record of successful management across a similar operational platform.
• Experience managing safeguarding compliance in a similar operational environment.
• Experience of working in a similar organisation, collaborating across teams and operating in a highly effective way across a diverse, networked structure.
• Significant and successful experience in senior management roles, encompassing strategic management and team leadership.
• Experience leading and managing teams made up of staff and volunteers.
• Strong budget and financial management skills.
• Experience developing, managing or engaging in community-led programmes.

Skills and competencies:

• You have excellent interpersonal, influencing and networking skills and can communicate with impact across diverse audiences.
• You are a strategic and entrepreneurial thinker who is focussed on increasing impact in line with Habitat GB’s mission.
• · You are resilient, able to lead positively in a role which carries significant responsibility and requires you to prioritise effectively across multiple areas of work, problem solve and demonstrate strong organisational and planning skills.
• You are a values-led leader, who demonstrates integrity, respect for others and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• You are an experienced manager, able to lead and inspire others, motivating team members to perform at their best with a growth mindset.

The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:

• HFHGB’s commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.
• A commitment to HFHGB’s vision, mission, values and approach.
• A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.

Start your Habitat journey here…

The deadline for applications is 30th March 2025 (at 11:59 pm).

Habitat for Humanity requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work.  Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of our code of conduct. The employment of this position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.

Unfortunately, because of high volume of applications we will not be able to contact unsuccessful applicants. If you haven’t heard from us within a month of the application deadline, please assume that your application has not been successful.

We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.

The Operations Manager will work closely with the Managing Director to ensure the charity operates effectively. The Operations Manager will lead on the development of policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance, and robust management processes.

The Operations Manager will add to the staff team by bringing a skillset that is grounded in administration processes, excellent IT competence, and a numerate, systemising and detail-orientated mindset.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Strategy will be responsible for the day to day strategic operational scrutiny and reporting in order to meet the Bikeability Trust’s mission, contractual and legal obligations. This role is critical in the leadership of the Bikeability Trust as deputising for the CEO.

The Bikeability Trust’s purpose is to ensure that all cycle training is delivered to a gold standard, inspiring everyone to cycle with competence and confidence.   

We are:  

• Expert: The Trust has successfully administered the Bikeability programme on behalf of government since 2018, delivering high-quality delivery guides and instructor training, and our workforce has thousands of years combined experience teaching people to cycle.  

• Inspiring: Every rider completes our training feeling able, confident and motivated to cycle safely on the roads for short journeys. Transforming the traditional image of cycling to an everyday, everyone activity.    

• Quality focussed: Our instructors deliver high-quality, consistent and standardised cycle training. We aim to ensure that every rider achieves the same outcomes to the same standard, taking into account their individual capabilities, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

• Inclusive: We take action to reduce barriers to participation, support underrepresented groups and ensure that anyone who wishes to access Bikeability cycle training is able to do so, and cycling is seen as an activity for all.   

• Efficient: Our delivery programme offers value for money and is delivered in an economic, proportional and efficient way.  

• Influential: We share our evidence of the impact of cycle training across a variety of sectors (transport, education, environment, health, leisure, etc) and work collaboratively with stakeholders, partners and commercial organisations to achieve our vision and influence behaviour change.  

Key accountabilities: 

Leadership 

• Maintain a strong relationship and engaging with the CEO to lead the day to day operations of the Bikeability Trust ensuring the CEO can hold more external focus

• Provide leadership and management to the Operations Team including: 

• Research

• Communications 

Impact and Reporting  

• Develop and lead reporting on progress towards the Bikeability Trust strategy with the Board of Trustees through annual business plans and corporate dashboard, gathering evidence and analysis from across the Bikeability Trust

• Refine and implement monthly and quarterly impact and KPI reporting to fulfil the ATE, TfL and other funders reporting requirements

• Deliver high quality information, governance, and business insights to the CEO and Board to inform decision-making 

• Work with the Finance and grants team to ensure compliance with financial policies and reporting requirement

• Develop annual research plans to generate impactful information to generate support for Bikeability strategy with decision makers, public and media

Active Travel England engagement  

• Lead monthly reporting and scrutiny meetings for Active Travel to reduce reliance on the CEO for input 

Walking and Cycling Alliance (WACA) 

• Lead Bikeability input in the External Affairs group meetings and events to foster closer working relationships and promotion of the Bikeability Trust strategic and impact data to influence policy and campaigning activities

• Prepare briefings for the CEO to attend roundtables, CEO meetings and WACA events

Communications & Research  

• Manage the communications function increasing awareness, understanding and support for Bikeability strategy through an impactful communication strategy, marketing, PR, social media, media and campaigns

• Develop and maintain internal communications channels and engaging activities for employees, including Mental Health awareness, and regular staff surveys 

HR and Governance  

• Maintain internal policies recommending changes to Trustees for approval and annual audit of policies 

• Maintain HR function jointly with the CEO across Bikeability with a focus on developing talent, succession planning, performance and appraisals systems. Seek input from external suppliers as required on HR 

• Develop leadership and management capability across the Trust 

• Develop organisational competence in strategic planning, business development and regulatory issues 

General Duties 

• Provide support and leadership insight across the organisation 

• To undertake other related tasks as directed by the CEO or Board of Trustees 

• Ensure all systems and procedures are in line with best practice and relevant legislation including GDPR. 

• Recognise the need to be flexible when working for a small organisation and carry out other duties that may be required 

Person specification 

The successful applicants will have: 

• A first or higher degree 

• Excellent organisational and customer care skills 

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• Have a growth and continuous improvement mindset 

• Ability to use Microsoft 365 packages including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams 

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently

It is also essential that the post holder has experience or skills in some of the following:

• Strategy development

• Sound strategic planning and a track record of achieving targets 

• Policy and public affairs experience 

• Charity governance 

• Diplomatic Skills to manage complex relationships with a range of stakeholders 

• GDPR 

• Analysis of complex information 

• HR

• Business / operational data analysis 

• Commununications, Marketing or PR 

Skills 

• Exceptional strategic thinking, decision making and problem-solving skills, especially under pressure; ability to set detailed vision and direction across large, complex sets of work 

• Leadership style, which encourages, motivates, inspires and develops staff and volunteers 

• Excellent communicator (both orally and in writing) with effective listening, influencing and negotiation skills 

• Highly effective decision-making skills with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities 

• Excellent administrative, organisational and IT skills 

• Intellectual rigour, financial acumen and the ability to accurately analyse and explain complex issues 

• Politically astute, with high levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to flex leadership and communication styles to inspire and motivate different audiences

• Ability to operate in complex governance structures whilst ensuring high standards of probity and transparency are maintained 

•  Robust programme and project management skills and a track record of delivering complex projects to deadline and budget 

The package 

The Bikeability Trust offers the successful candidates a competitive salary and: 

• Bikeability cycle training

• Generous contributory pension scheme 

• 38 days annual leave for full time members of staff (including public holidays) 

• Employee Assistance Programme

We value staff and a range of experience at the Bikeability Trust, so the person specification is a guide to the skills. We encourage diverse applicants and transferable skills.