Area Support Manager

Cancer Research UK; Dartford; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer charity is on the hunt for a Retail Area Support Manager to oversee various locations in London. This role involves supporting the Area Manager to maximize income through effective team management and stock initiatives. Ideal candidates are collaborative retail experts with strong commercial insight and leadership experience. This is a full-time, home-based position, requiring travel across the London area. A competitive salary with a strong benefits package is offered.

Benefits

Generous salary

Flexible leave allowance

Discounts on travel and technology

Gym membership

Confidential wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience with performance management and motivating teams.
• Ability to work targets and make commercial decisions.
• Comfort in adapting to changing situations.

Responsibilities

• Support key performance indicators in the area.
• Assist Area Manager with recruitment and team management.
• Manage stock initiatives and quality donations.

Skills

Collaborative retail manager

Commercial awareness

Strong communication skills

Influencing ability

Adaptability

Experience in leading teams

Job description

Overview

Retail area support manager (including divisional area)

Salary: £29,500- £31,500 (plus travel expenses & benefits)

Reports to: Area Manager

Department: Trading

Contract: FTC September 2026

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

We are open to a variety of ways of working, including full time, part time and job share. (To be included if applicable)

Location: Home-based (travel required) – role covers areas across London; from the South-West to North-West

Closing date: 8 February 2026 23:55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found

Eligibility: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.

About Cancer Research UK: We exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day and aiming to go much further and faster. We are looking for someone talented to join our trading team.

Role purpose: We’re looking for an inspiring area support manager to join Cancer Research UK’s trading team. You’ll act as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the Area Manager and area team to maximise income through people, resources and stock. This role has a particular emphasis on our store closure programme, providing essential support to colleagues and operations throughout the process.

You’ll be supported by a team equally dedicated to beating cancer.

What will I be doing?

• Play an integral part in the achievement of key performance indicators across the area, including income, expenditure budgets, processing targets, average selling price, sell-through rates, fundraising and customer service.
• Support the commercial running of your area and make commercial decisions based on data.
• Be aware of trends on the high street and among charity retailers, and apply that knowledge to your area.
• Support the Area Manager and area teams in recruitment, development, retention, performance management, equality and diversity and fundraising.
• Manage stock management and stock initiatives across the area, including generating quality donated goods, stock selection and distribution and pricing to maximise income.
• Assist with the implementation of national volunteer recruitment campaigns and support other divisional and national projects.
• Work closely with store teams to provide structured support during the store closure programme, ensuring clear communication and a consistent colleague experience.
• Deputise for the Area Manager as required.

What are we looking for?

• A collaborative and successful retail manager.
• Comfort working within targets and motivating others to achieve them.
• Commercial awareness with good business judgement.
• The ability to build networks and influence.
• Adaptability in changing situations, including the ability to work effectively independently.
• Experience of leading and performance managing a team of people.
• Locality: you’ll need to live within a reasonable distance from the region and have your own access to transport. Travel costs will be reimbursed in line with Cancer Research UK’s travel and expenses policy.
• Flexibility: Retail teams cover the needs of their stores by working on a rota basis. While flexibility is needed to meet business needs, we recognise you have a life outside of work too.

What will I gain?

We offer a generous salary and benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on travel and technology, gym membership, and more. We also provide confidential wellbeing support from the Retail Trust.

How to apply

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications, but we won’t view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, please complete the work history section of the online application form so we can assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Due to the nature of this position, any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

For more information on this opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [e-mail]. For updates on our work and careers, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong and benefits from and participates in our work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate perform at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and while at work. Please inform us of any concerns or adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Contact [e-mail] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18 to protect young people from health and safeguarding risks.