Retail Estate & Development Support

Blue Cross UK; Burford; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 38–43 days

Wellbeing support

GP access 24/7

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Blue Cross is seeking a Retail Development Support to drive efficiency and value across our national retail estate, with hybrid working from Hartlebury or Burford.

You will identify opportunities to reduce costs, streamline processes and manage leasing and property spend, while collaborating with landlords, agents and internal teams. Excellent analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail estates, property administration or site acquisition.
• Strong organisational and administrative abilities.
• Experience working with landlords, agents and external stakeholders.
• Good financial awareness and data analysis skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Demonstrate understanding and application of Blue Cross values.

Responsibilities

• Drive efficiency and value across our national retail estate.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, streamline processes and maximise ROI of property spend.
• Collaborate with teams to manage leasing and property spend.
• Identify and assess new shop locations; manage agents and landlords; support lease negotiations.
• Conduct site visits; prepare business cases and reports; ensure new shop openings are delivered on time and within budget.
• Balance commercial benefit with brand impact in refurbishment projects to reach full potential of existing shops.

Skills

Site acquisition

Organisation

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Communication

Driving licence

Blue Cross values

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location: Burford

Application Deadline: 27 September 2026

Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement

Location: Burford

Compensation: £23,816 - £27,500 / year

Description

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours p/week Monday - Friday

Salary: £23,816 - £27,500

Location: Could be based out of either our Hartlebury Retail Office, Worcestershire or Blue Cross offices in Burford, Oxfordshire with hybrid working

Closing date: Sunday 27th September 2026

Interview date: Interviews will be arranged as applications are received

At Blue Cross, our shops do more than sell pre-loved treasures - they help fund vital care for pets in need. Every new shop means more tails wagging, more purrs of comfort and more lives transformed. We’re looking for someone who can spot a great opportunity, loves a challenge and wants to use their property and retail experience to make a real difference.

In this varied and hands-on role, you’ll play a key part in driving efficiency and value across our national retail estate. Working closely with the Group Head of Fundraising and Retail and the Retail Operations Manager, you’ll identify opportunities to reduce costs, streamline processes, and maximise the return on every pound we spend across our property portfolio

You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the charity to ensure robust management of our leasing and property spend

Alongside this, you’ll lead on identifying and assessing new shop locations, managing relationships with agents and landlords, and supporting lease negotiations to secure the most favourable terms. You’ll conduct site visits, prepare clear business cases and performance reports, and ensure new shop openings are delivered on time and within budget.

You’ll also help existing shops reach their full potential through thoughtful planning, performance analysis, and well-managed refurbishment projects that balance commercial benefit with brand impact.

Every efficiency you deliver and every new shop you help open contributes directly to the vital work Blue Cross does. This is an opportunity to make a real, measurable difference while ensuring our resources go further for the pets and people who rely on us most.

Please note this is one vacancy that will be advertised under multiple locations. The successful candidate can be based at either our Hartlebury Retail Office, Worcestershire, or our offices in Burford, Oxfordshire.

Please note, internally this job is called a Retail Development Support.

About you

Ideally, you’ll have some experience in site acquisition or commercial property evaluation, along with strong organisational and project management skills. You’ll understand what makes a shop profitable and sustainable, and you’re confident working across different teams to make things happen. A full driving licence is a must.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Experience in retail estates, property administration, site acquisition or a similar role.
• Strong organisational, administrative skills and prioritisation.
• Experience of working with landlords, agents and external stakeholders.
• Good financial awareness and ability to analyse data.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Ability to demonstrate, understand and apply Blue Cross values

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Experience within charity retail.
• Understanding of commercial leases and estate management.
• Experience supporting shop openings, relocations or refurbishments.
• Knowledge of retail performance measures.

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
• Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
• Health cash plan
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
• Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
• Life assurance
• 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Recognition scheme
• Annual volunteer days
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.