Job title: Retail Graduate
Company: British Heart Foundation
Job description: The opportunity
Since we were founded in 1961, the number of deaths in the UK from coronary heart disease each year has more than halved. But we still have so much to do. We fund research into all forms of heart disease, discovering molecules in the lab, harnessing the power of big data, funding impactful clinical trials to improve the presentation, detection, and treatment of these diseases.
When it comes to retail, we are leaders in the sector, we have over 700 shops across the UK and ongoing expansion plans. We serve 30 million customers each year. Plus, we deliver annual profits of nearly £23 million that fund pioneering research into heart and circulatory diseases. We couldn’t do it without our people who run a seamless operation, get a kick out of finding brilliant products, and deliver a first-rate customer service.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.
About the Retail Graduate programme
This is a 24-month fixed term contract where you will have exposure to various teams throughout Retail and support the invaluable work we do at British Heart Foundation (BHF).
As part of BHF’s Retail graduate programme, you’ll support the work that we do and will work in a variety of Retail teams across the organisation supporting a range of long-term projects, taking ownership on some and supporting on others
We have opportunities for two graduates to join us on this scheme in September 2024. One graduate will support the work in the London, Bristol and Southampton region, whilst the second graduate will support the Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham region.
Throughout your time on the programme, you’ll be fully supported and have a clear development programme. In addition to learning on the job, you’ll have a BHF mentor and will attend action learning style events with your fellow graduate peers. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend learning events such as face-to-face workshops and have opportunities to play an active role in high profile events to grow your skills, knowledge and networks.
Through the programme you’ll work with Store Managers to develop an understanding of stock requirements, direct the stock generation and rotation activities, all of which ensure there is a sufficient supply of donated stock to meet customer demand in shops, stores and online.
You’ll also actively encourage the public to donate saleable stock and will work collaboratively with others to support and guide the activity of volunteer team members.
The programme isn’t a theoretical training exercise; you will make a real impact on major projects and teams across the organisations whilst you’re developing your communication, team working, leadership and project management skills.
This scheme will provide you with the opportunity to develop a career within a fast paced and ambitious retailer and give you the tools and experience to quickly move through the programme with the potential to lead your own team as an Area Manager after two years.
What we’re looking for
- We are seeking recent graduates from any degree discipline with at least a 2:2 grade.
- A connection to the mission and purpose of the BHF
- Good narrative and writing skills, to share insight and information to colleagues
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, able to liaise with colleagues at different levels, adapting style to suit the audience
- Ability to prioritise competing tasks and occasionally manage a challenging workload
- Able to manage a diverse workload
- Basic Microsoft Excel skills knowledge to support in preparing analysis and financial tables
What can we offer you?
- The opportunity to work with different store teams and central support functions to learn about our operations, quickly moving to running your own team.
- The chance to make a difference – you will work alongside passionate colleagues, joining 4,000 other colleagues across our organisation funding lifesaving research.
- Responsibilities from day one – you’ll be performing an important role in our large and busy Retail team. As your career develops you will gain exposure to other areas of retail which will support your development.
- Continuous coaching and learning – we’ll support you in your career development, offering you training and learning opportunities unique to BHF.
- Opportunities to get involved in many other aspects of BHF life, including fundraising, lab visits, BHF events and engaging with a variety of different staff-led activities.
- You’ll be able to establish and develop connections with the local communities to generate resource and stock.
- A generous suite of benefits available to all staff, including 30 days annual leave and healthcare support.
Working arrangements
This role will be field based, with regular travel to stores in your respective region, as well as the requirement to travel to key BHF sites to attend meetings and networking events, with fellow graduates on other BHF schemes as well as the wider Retail Directorate.
Due to the nature of this role regular travel will be required. Whilst it will not be necessary to have a driving licence, or have access to a car, at the start of this programme, you will at least be willing to learn, or currently learning to drive, with a view to having passed the test during the programme.
Some weekend work may be required. This role will run shops and stores for a period of time, weekend working is therefore necessary from time to time based on business need.
EDI Statement
The British Heart Foundation values and respects every individual’s unique contribution, celebrates diversity, and makes inclusion part of what we do every day.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.
Overview of the Recruitment process
We’ll be working with two Recruitment partners to support us recruit to these graduate schemes.
EmployAbility, who are a leading force for a truly disability-inclusive workplace. They empower companies to put inclusion and belonging at the heart of their culture and empower talented neurodivergent and disabled graduates to build the careers they deserve and ensure experienced employees can flourish and progress.
If you have a disability, neurodivergence, mental health or other long term health condition, please apply via EmployAbility using the link below. EmployAbility will support you with any adjustment requirements that you might need in the recruitment process and workplace, should you be successful.
Diversifying, who are passionate about challenging the status quo to provide fairer employment opportunities and only work with employers who understand the value of a diverse workforce, helping job seekers to find roles within organisations that truly celebrate difference.
To apply for this opportunity, you’ll need to visit and apply via one of our partners, links provided below, and complete the online application. You’ll need to fill in an online form, upload your CV, and answering a number of questions.
For those successful following the first stage interview screening, there will then be a half day assessment centre, full details for which will provided in advance. It’s also a great opportunity to see where we work.
The assessment centre for the graduate covering London, Bristol and Southampton will take place at our London offices on Wednesday 13th March 2024.
The assessment centre for the graduate covering Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham will take place at our Birmingham offices on Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Diversifying and EmployAbility will work with you to provide any adjustments that you might need during the recruitment process and in the workplace, should you be successful.
By submitting your application, you are consenting to sharing your data with the BHF’s recruitment partners, Diversifying and EmployAbility, solely for recruitment purposes in relation to your application for roles within BHF.
Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to us and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by us and our recruitment partners is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is stored securely.
Please note you’ll not be able to apply for this role via our careers site. You’ll need to visit one of our recruitment partners, EmployAbility or Diversifying, via the links above, to formally apply to this scheme.
Additional Information
Post Justification
Expected salary: £26000 per year
Location: London
Job date: Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:26:16 GMT
