Retail Store Assistant (Ilford)

Millions of bargain-hunters. Endless pre-loved items. One meaningful purpose.

Retail store assistant

£12.71 per hour plus benefits

Reports to: Shop manager

Department: Trading

Location: Ilford

Contract: Fixed-term contract ending 31st March 2027

Working hours: Part time 15 hours per week (including every Sunday)

Closing date: 18th October 2026 23:55  

External: 18th October 2026 23:55  

Internal: In line with organisational policy this role will remain open for internal applications until: 18th October 2026 23:55  

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 wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We’re looking for a motivated store assistant to join Cancer Research UK’s trading team. You’ll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK. Your shop will be a place where your community gets to meet our people, understand our brand, and see some of the great things we do.  

In a lively, vibrant working environment, you’ll discover something new every day, whether it’s a new high street trend, a new community network or a talent you never knew you had.

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

What will I be doing?

·       Providing excellent customer and supporter service.

·       Working as an integral part of the shop team to achieve ambitious sales and fundraising targets.

·       Assisting with maintaining shop standards including visual presentation, safeguarding compliance and health and safety.

·       Creating relationships with your local community and Cancer Research UK colleagues.  

·       Supporting fundraising events for your store to achieve fundraising targets.  

What skills are you looking for?

·       An understanding of what makes great customer service.

·       Experience of working in a busy customer service environment.

·       The ability to manage your own workload and work independently when required.

·       The ability to work well in a team.

·       Excellent communication skills.  

And ideally

·       An understanding or an interest in fashion.  

·       Retail experience

[Download the full role profile] 

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous 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 work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.

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.

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.  

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

You can learn more about our fantastic retail teams on our website.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter 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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk 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.