Retail Manager
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a hands-on Retail Manager to join the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Following the opening of our shop and Post Office within the beautifully restored Soane Stable Yard, we are now looking for an experienced and driven individual to take this offer forward and shape its future.
Founded in 1682, the Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners and sits at the heart of a community built on service, heritage and pride. With over 100,000 visitors each year, our Visitor, Outreach and Heritage Centre offer a unique retail environment with strong potential for growth.
This is a varied, hands-on role where you will be actively involved in the day-to-day running of both the shop and Post Office. You will lead from the front, delivering excellent customer service while supporting and developing a small team of staff, Chelsea Pensioners and volunteers. Alongside operational responsibilities, you will play a key role in driving commercial performance through strong visual merchandising, effective stock control, product development and ecommerce growth.
You will bring proven retail management experience, confidence using an EPOS system, and a practical, sleeves-rolled-up approach. You will be comfortable working on the shop floor and at the Post Office counter, with full training provided on the Horizon system. Working closely with the Director of Public Engagement, you will take ownership of sales performance, develop product ranges aligned to our audiences, oversee the online shop and identify opportunities such as pop-up retail at major events.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about providing excellent customer service, takes pride in high standards and wants to make a positive difference. In return, you will join a unique organisation where every role supports the Chelsea Pensioners and helps preserve an important part of national heritage.
This is a full-time, permanent role working 41 hours per week on a five-out-of-seven-day rota, including regular weekends and occasional evenings.
If you are ready to take the next step in your retail career and make your mark in a truly distinctive setting, we would love to hear from you. Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing applications and interviewing candidates throughout the recruitment process.
About Us
The ethos of the Royal Hospital is one that puts a premium on selflessness and companionship. Our values of nurturing belonging, respect individuals, encourage pride and enjoy life underpin that ethos. We are united in a shared purpose, living and working together and ensuring everyone has a place in our diverse social and military community.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, where all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on attracting a wide range of talent, removing potential barriers, and promoting equal opportunities. We know, the more varied and inclusive our teams are, the better our organisation will be for our community. We are a Disability Confident employer dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring you are treated with respect throughout the recruitment process and upon joining our community.
Our selection process
Should your application be successful you will be invited to a formal interview, where you will be asked questions relating to your experiences and key requirements of the role. If you are successful after the interviews we will:
- Ask for references from those you have listed on your application form
- Check your right to live and work in the UK
- Check any declarations you have made on your application form
- Ask you to complete a medical form
- Carry out an Enhanced DBS application.