Retail Store Manager

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. Because when people spend time doing what they love, it’s Time Well Spent. And with the right passion – It All Starts With You.

40 hour contract

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. The Works literally means everything. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. It’s about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

As a Store Manager, you are responsible for leading your store to success. You’ll inspire and develop your team, drive commercial performance, and ensure every customer enjoys a welcoming, well‑run, and engaging shopping experience. You’ll take ownership of all aspects of store operations, from people and performance to standards and service.

Your mission is to deliver exceptional service, spark brilliant conversations, and help customers with their shopping missions—whether it’s discovering new products they’ll love or finding the perfect gifts for someone else. By getting to know their interests or shopping mission, you’ll be ready to recommend things that surprise, delight, and inspire them. You’ll also play a key role in keeping the store well‑stocked, tidy, safe, and welcoming.

You help create an environment where everything runs smoothly and everyone feels supported, included and developed in the team.

• Lead, coach, and develop your team to deliver excellent customer service and achieve store targets.
• Lead by example as a brand ambassador representing The Works to inspire your team to follow.
• Take full ownership of store performance, using data and insights to drive results.
• Ensure high standards of visual merchandising, stock availability, and store presentation.
• Recruit, onboard, and train new team members, building a high‑performing, engaged team.
• Manage rotas, payroll, and operational tasks to ensure efficient day‑to‑day running.
• Maintain compliance with health & safety, cash handling, and loss prevention policies.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive team culture where people feel developed, and genuinely cared for.
• Collaborate with your Area Manager, stores in your area and central teams to implement business initiatives and share feedback from the shop floor.

• Proven experience in a retail management role.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Commercially focused with a track record of delivering results.
• Excellent communication, planning, and organisational abilities.
• Confident using data to inform decisions and improve performance.
• Flexible, resilient, and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience in a high‑volume or value retail environment.
• Familiarity with retail systems and reporting tools.
• Experience managing recruitment, training, and performance processes.
• Tech savvy with using back‑office systems, EPoS Tills, emails and video calls.

• Inspire and motivate your team in line with our employer brand, values, behaviours and purpose.
• Lead your team to reach their potential and steer your store to break records and get in the spotlight.
• Work collaboratively with support departments and peers.
• If something’s not quite right, speak up so we can work together to get it right or make it better!
• Help your team’s well‑being and aspirations; be their biggest supporter, cheering them on and having amazing everyday conversations about performance, career aspirations and growth.

• 25% Colleague Discount – Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• MyWorks – Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• Family Friendly Leave – Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Holiday – 33 days, including bank holidays.
• Stream – Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them.
• Can‑Do Academy –…