Retail Development Officer
Company
Yorkshire Cancer Research
Location
Harrogate
Employment Hours
Full Time
Employment Type
Permanent
Salary
Job Requirements/Description
Retail Development Officer
Harrogate, with regular travel across Yorkshire.
We offer hybrid working.
About Us
Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.
Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer in Yorkshire, and beyond.
As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.
The Benefits
We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.
We ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Retail Development Officer, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.
The Role
Reporting to the Retail Development Manager, the Retail Development Officer will support with the continued growth and development of our retail network.
The role holder will actively support the Retail Development Manager to build, deliver, and implement a pipeline of new sites development in retail, including shops, cafes and superstores, Yorkshire Cancer Research Centres, and other retail related projects.
You will have responsibility of supporting the Retail Development Manager with market analysis and feasibility studies of potential new sites, contributing to the development of business cases, projects plans and delivery of these plans as well as contributing to compliance and ongoing maintenance and required improvements within the retail real estate. There will also be an opportunity for the role holder to inform future decision making through the delivery of business insight, KPI data and other metric reports relating to income.
Specifically, you will:
Ensure Retail Development effectively manages risk through clear prioritisation and consistent role modelling of best practices:
Work collaboratively with the Retail Area Manager, with regards to monitoring compliance with retail policies and procedures, as well as Health & Safety standards.
Act as a visible leader in relation to all health and safety responsibilities, taking reasonable care for your own safety and the safety of others. Adhere to all Health & Safety requirements, processes and procedures.
Support and role model a strong safety-first approach in all retail development activities and projects.
Work closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure new shops are in good condition and compliance documents are in place before being handed over to operate under business-as-usual activities.
Drive strong team performance across retail by consistently delivering high-quality work, demonstrating reliability, and actively collaborating across teams and external partners:
Support, where possible, the recruitment process for new shop managers and volunteers and ensure this is complete in time for each new shop opening.
Maintain and monitor detailed project plans for refurbishments, openings and improvement projects, ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
Deputise for the Retail Development Manager, support and maintain relationships with property agents, shopfitters, tradespeople and third parties, in their absence.
Assist as a contact for discussions with relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding new locations.
Support the positive representation of the Yorkshire Cancer Research brand by modelling key behaviours and helping deliver welcoming, innovative spaces that position the organisation as a brand leader:
Undertake regular shop visits/shop floor inspections as directed by the Retail Development Manager; directing and supporting the team to deliver creative and inspiring layouts, space planning and use of point of sale to ensure that each shop maximises its sales potential.
Empower teams through training and demonstrating the high standards expected of visual presentation of the shops in representing the brand image of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Be a trusted point of reference who understands expected standards, can clearly communicate them, and champions their importance in representing Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Support the delivery of commercially viable shops and related spaces by working within budget constraints and aligning with approved business cases and project plans:
Support the Retail Development Manager in exploring and identifying the best locations for new shop openings, including market analysis, feasibility study, site visits, and site presentation.
Assist in developing business cases for each new shop, ensuring they are financially viable and key decisions are documented.
Support the development of project plans for shop openings, closures, and refits by ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
Continuously improve systems and processes that support effective project delivery, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and compliance.
Work alongside the Retail Development Manager to identify new suppliers, ensuring they are suitable, competent, and aligned to our values.
Support the Retail Development Manager in developing and testing new income streams, processes, and systems before moving to business-as-usual activities.
Support the Retail Development Manager, Retail Area Managers, Head of Retail Property & Estates, and team in regularly reviewing our current retail estate, identifying maintenance and other improvements required.
Other duties:
Support the development and execution of the ten-year Retail business strategy.
Deliver key business insight to drive improvements through analysis.
Provide regular KPI and metric reports on income to inform future decision-making and planning.
Undertake additional duties outside the key job duties within the team and across the charity, as the charity may reasonably require.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will need:
To ideally be educated to A Level or equivalent, or able to demonstrate experience in a similar role at a similar level.
Have evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role's purpose and level.
Experience in support of the delivery of multi-stakeholder projects.
To have excellent business acumen and an in-depth understanding of market trends
To have experience of working cross-functionally, both within an organisation and externally.
To have experience in planning and implementing store openings.
To have experience in using project management software such as Airtable and Sketchup.
To be highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
To have convincing and persuasive written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to present ideas and issues, clearly, and coherently to a wide range of audiences.
To have excellent IT skills with confident use of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Advanced Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Project Management experience is desirable, including experience in keeping accurate documentation supporting project management.
To have proven experience in developing retail processes for shops is desirable.
Merchandising and/or retail display experience is desirable
It is advantageous to hold a Project Management Qualification: IE APM, PRINCE2
Application
Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role via Charity Job or our website before 20 May 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. Please note this is a two stage interview process and first interviews will be conducted on Teams, second interviews will be held in person at our Head Offices in Harrogate on 26 May 2026.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual s circumstances against the needs of the charity.
We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application . click apply for full job details
Harrogate, with regular travel across Yorkshire.
We offer hybrid working.
About Us
Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.
Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer in Yorkshire, and beyond.
As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.
The Benefits
We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.
We ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Retail Development Officer, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.
The Role
Reporting to the Retail Development Manager, the Retail Development Officer will support with the continued growth and development of our retail network.
The role holder will actively support the Retail Development Manager to build, deliver, and implement a pipeline of new sites development in retail, including shops, cafes and superstores, Yorkshire Cancer Research Centres, and other retail related projects.
You will have responsibility of supporting the Retail Development Manager with market analysis and feasibility studies of potential new sites, contributing to the development of business cases, projects plans and delivery of these plans as well as contributing to compliance and ongoing maintenance and required improvements within the retail real estate. There will also be an opportunity for the role holder to inform future decision making through the delivery of business insight, KPI data and other metric reports relating to income.
Specifically, you will:
Ensure Retail Development effectively manages risk through clear prioritisation and consistent role modelling of best practices:
Work collaboratively with the Retail Area Manager, with regards to monitoring compliance with retail policies and procedures, as well as Health & Safety standards.
Act as a visible leader in relation to all health and safety responsibilities, taking reasonable care for your own safety and the safety of others. Adhere to all Health & Safety requirements, processes and procedures.
Support and role model a strong safety-first approach in all retail development activities and projects.
Work closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure new shops are in good condition and compliance documents are in place before being handed over to operate under business-as-usual activities.
Drive strong team performance across retail by consistently delivering high-quality work, demonstrating reliability, and actively collaborating across teams and external partners:
Support, where possible, the recruitment process for new shop managers and volunteers and ensure this is complete in time for each new shop opening.
Maintain and monitor detailed project plans for refurbishments, openings and improvement projects, ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
Deputise for the Retail Development Manager, support and maintain relationships with property agents, shopfitters, tradespeople and third parties, in their absence.
Assist as a contact for discussions with relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding new locations.
Support the positive representation of the Yorkshire Cancer Research brand by modelling key behaviours and helping deliver welcoming, innovative spaces that position the organisation as a brand leader:
Undertake regular shop visits/shop floor inspections as directed by the Retail Development Manager; directing and supporting the team to deliver creative and inspiring layouts, space planning and use of point of sale to ensure that each shop maximises its sales potential.
Empower teams through training and demonstrating the high standards expected of visual presentation of the shops in representing the brand image of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Be a trusted point of reference who understands expected standards, can clearly communicate them, and champions their importance in representing Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Support the delivery of commercially viable shops and related spaces by working within budget constraints and aligning with approved business cases and project plans:
Support the Retail Development Manager in exploring and identifying the best locations for new shop openings, including market analysis, feasibility study, site visits, and site presentation.
Assist in developing business cases for each new shop, ensuring they are financially viable and key decisions are documented.
Support the development of project plans for shop openings, closures, and refits by ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
Continuously improve systems and processes that support effective project delivery, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and compliance.
Work alongside the Retail Development Manager to identify new suppliers, ensuring they are suitable, competent, and aligned to our values.
Support the Retail Development Manager in developing and testing new income streams, processes, and systems before moving to business-as-usual activities.
Support the Retail Development Manager, Retail Area Managers, Head of Retail Property & Estates, and team in regularly reviewing our current retail estate, identifying maintenance and other improvements required.
Other duties:
Support the development and execution of the ten-year Retail business strategy.
Deliver key business insight to drive improvements through analysis.
Provide regular KPI and metric reports on income to inform future decision-making and planning.
Undertake additional duties outside the key job duties within the team and across the charity, as the charity may reasonably require.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will need:
To ideally be educated to A Level or equivalent, or able to demonstrate experience in a similar role at a similar level.
Have evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role's purpose and level.
Experience in support of the delivery of multi-stakeholder projects.
To have excellent business acumen and an in-depth understanding of market trends
To have experience of working cross-functionally, both within an organisation and externally.
To have experience in planning and implementing store openings.
To have experience in using project management software such as Airtable and Sketchup.
To be highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
To have convincing and persuasive written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to present ideas and issues, clearly, and coherently to a wide range of audiences.
To have excellent IT skills with confident use of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Advanced Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Project Management experience is desirable, including experience in keeping accurate documentation supporting project management.
To have proven experience in developing retail processes for shops is desirable.
Merchandising and/or retail display experience is desirable
It is advantageous to hold a Project Management Qualification: IE APM, PRINCE2
Application
Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role via Charity Job or our website before 20 May 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. Please note this is a two stage interview process and first interviews will be conducted on Teams, second interviews will be held in person at our Head Offices in Harrogate on 26 May 2026.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual s circumstances against the needs of the charity.
We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application . click apply for full job details
Company
Yorkshire Cancer Research
Location
Harrogate
Employment Hours
Full Time
Employment Type
Permanent
Salary