Area Support Manager (SW & NW London)

Endless pre-loved items. A talented team. One clear purpose.  

Retail area support manager (include divisional area) 

£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're 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) (this role covers areas across London; from the South-West to North-West) 

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

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. 

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. 

​​We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who shares our vision, someone like you. ​ 

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

You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.  

What will I be doing? 

• Playing an integral part in the achievement of key performance indicators across the area. These include income, expenditure budgets, processing targets, average selling price, sell through rates, fundraising and customer service.  

• Supporting the commercial running of your area and making commercial decisions based on data.   

• Being aware of trends on the high street, and amongst charity retailers, and applying that knowledge and learning to your area.   

• Supporting the Area Manager and area teams in areas such as recruitment, development, retention, performance management, equality and diversity and fundraising.    

• Managing stock management and stock initiatives across the area. This includes generating quality donated goods, stock selection and distribution and pricing to maximise income.  

• Assisting with the implementation of national volunteer recruitment campaigns and supporting other divisional and national projects.  

• Working closely with store teams to provide structured support during the store closure programme, ensuring clear communication and a consistent colleague experience. 

• Deputising for the Area Manager as required.  

What are you looking for? 

• A collaborative and successful retail manager.  

• Comfort working within targets and motivating others to achieve those targets.  

• Commercial awareness with great business judgement.   

• The ability to build networks and influence.  

• Adaptability in changing situations, including being able 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, our retail teams cover the needs of their stores by working on a rota basis. Whilst a level of flexibility is needed to meet the needs of the business, we don’t forget that you have a life outside of work too.    

[Download the full role profile] 

What will I gain? 

We make sure you are supported by 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 anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.  

Our retail teams also have access to confidential wellbeing support from the Retail Trust. 

How do I 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 be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.  

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

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].    

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.  

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

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

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