Heart of Kent Hospice

Hours: Up to 37.5 hours per week, including regular Saturdays, scheduled Sundays and bank holiday cover Reports to: Commercial Retail Manager Salary: c£32,000 dependent on experience Closing Date: 31 August 2026. We encourage early applications, as we may close this vacancy before the closing date once an appointment has been made. We are looking for a commercial and creative Senior Retail Manager to take full management of our Aylesford flagship shop in Hall Road, our largest shop and a much-loved local destination for pre-loved fashion, furniture, homeware, books, electricals and those one-off treasures customers love to discover. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys the pace and variety of large format retail, loves bringing people together and wants their commercial skills to make a real difference to local hospice care. About the Role To lead and deliver the overall performance of a flagship Heart of Kent Hospice retail site; a large format store that is materially bigger and more complex than a standard hospice shop and which represents a meaningful share of total retail income. The Senior Retail Manager is accountable for the sales, profitability, people, stock, premises and day-to-day operation of the site. The postholder leads a multi-layered team of paid colleagues and a large volunteer workforce and is personally accountable for delivering demanding income targets while maintaining excellent customer service, compliance and presentation standards. Reporting to the Commercial Retail Manager the postholder plays an important role in promoting the Heart of Kent Hospice brand within the local community and in delivering the hospice's retail strategy on the ground at site level. About You Essential Skills and Experience : Significant retail management experience with responsibility for achieving challenging sales and income targets. Experience managing a large-format, multi-department or similarly complex retail operation. Strong visual merchandising and store presentation skills that have driven sales and customer engagement. Ability to create events, promotions and seasonal displays that increase footfall and revenue. Excellent customer service skills, including handling complaints and leading by example. Strong commercial awareness and sound business decision-making. Ability to identify high-value, branded, designer, vintage or specialist donated items and maximise sales opportunities. Experience managing teams of paid staff and volunteers, including direct line management responsibility. Proven performance management skills, including addressing conduct, capability and underperformance issues. Experience analysing sales and performance data using EPOS systems and reporting tools. Experience managing budgets, cash handling and financial controls. Good understanding of health and safety requirements within a retail environment. Excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills. Desirable: Charity retail experience and knowledge of Gift Aid. Experience within furniture, homeware or large-format retail environments. Experience identifying products suitable for online sales channels such as eBay, Vinted or Depop. Experience recruiting and managing large volunteer teams. Knowledge of the local community and charity sector. We're Looking for Someone Who: Is passionate about supporting the hospice's mission and values through retail success. Lives our values: I Own, I Care, I Learn, I Improve. Leads by example and enjoys being visible on the shop floor. Is creative, energetic and customer-focused. Balances commercial performance with excellent volunteer and customer experiences. Is organised, resilient and adaptable. Enjoys building community connections and representing the Hospice locally. Works collaboratively with colleagues across retail, e-commerce and support functions. To apply, please complete our online application form. For a full job description or an informal discussion about the role, contact or call ext. 254 .

We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Partnerships Manager to grow a developing income stream and build transformational relationships that will support our care today and help shape the hospice of tomorrow. This is a unique opportunity to join Heart of Kent Hospice at a pivotal time. As we work towards our future hospice, you will influence strategy, develop high-value partnerships and create lasting connections that make a tangible difference to local patients and families. The Role This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a growing partnerships portfolio and shape our approach to corporate and community engagement. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, you will lead our partnerships income stream, with responsibility for income targets, budgets and strategic planning. You will manage and develop our Partnership Fundraiser while personally leading some of our most valuable relationships. You will: Develop and deliver our annual partnerships strategy and income plan. Identify and secure high-value partnership opportunities that deliver sustainable income and long-term value. Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective supporters and strategic partners. Manage key relationships that generate significant income, engagement and support. Represent Heart of Kent Hospice across the local business and community landscape. Work with fundraising and communications colleagues to maximise opportunities and supporter engagement. Develop partnership opportunities linked to our future hospice, building influence and long-term support. About You We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with warmth, confidence and exceptional relationship-building skills. You will be naturally curious, results-driven and excited by the opportunity to build something with lasting impact. You may come from fundraising, business development, account management, sponsorship or another partnership-led environment. Essential Requirements Experience in corporate fundraising, partnership management, business development, account management, sponsorship, sales or a related income-generation role. Experience of identifying and securing new business opportunities. A track record of achieving income, sales or growth targets. Experience of developing and managing high-value stakeholder relationships. Excellent networking, presentation and communication skills. Strong organisational, planning and budget management skills. Experience using CRM or database systems. Ability to travel independently across Kent and work occasional evenings and weekends. Desirable Requirements Experience of charity fundraising, sponsorship or commercial partnerships. Knowledge of fundraising regulations and best practice. Existing connections within the Kent business community. Why Join Heart of Kent Hospice? This is more than a fundraising role. It is an opportunity to shape meaningful partnerships, influence future plans and play a key part in the next chapter of hospice care across our region. In return, we offer: A supportive, collaborative working environment. Hybrid working arrangements. The opportunity to lead and grow an important fundraising income stream. Professional development and training opportunities. The chance to make a direct impact on local patients and families. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusive practice across employment and patient care. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from people living with disabilities and provide reasonable adjustments to support colleagues to thrive. All interested applicants must complete our online application form in full.