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Role: BARBER
Reports to: XO Barbers General Manager
Location: London – 176 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8ER
Salary: Chair Rental Agreement
Start Date: November 2026
Job type: Self - Employed
ABOUT US - ONWARDS & UPWARDS & XO BARBERS
We are a charity created to directly tackle the cycle of reoffending driven by the barriers to unemployment faced; our purpose is clear and our plan is simple. We will break the cycle of reoffending by starting sustainable social enterprises which train and employ ex-offenders. These must be organisations that people are proud to work for, provide personal and professional development, that operate in high demand sectors, and that showcase the talents and potential of ex-offenders as employees to businesses and society at large.
Our plan in the long-term is to launch, test, and grow a range of social enterprises that all follow this model – of training, supporting and employing ex-offenders in positive environments that are part of a community, with aspirational brands, and with full support for people to grow and move on with their lives.
Our second venture is XO Barbers – where we train people to become qualified barbers and then aim to find them meaningful jobs in the barbering sector. XO Barbers is so proud of its graduating first two classes, as well as having completed four courses in Brixton Prison and to date, cutting 256 heads!
XO Barbers relies on a steady stream of models and clients to allow us to train as much as we possibly can. We currently have a busy website, strong social media, and are building a unique profile in the sector. We, one day, hope to be the destination for a fantastic haircut in the city, and your role will be pivotal in building our reputation as the best bunch of barbers in the business!
ABOUT THE ROLE – BARBER
176 Blackfriars Road is still a new adventure for us, as we’ve only been in situ since December 2025. It has been our training hub since January 2026, and now it is time to make it a barbershop. The space already has some beautiful fixtures and fittings, and it is in standout building. We request that anyone working in the space matches that style, giving people a truly one-off and professional experience.
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For our chair rental model, we are looking for someone who, first and foremost, is an excellent barber. Someone that knows their style and knows that they’re really good at what they do.
Secondly, we are looking for someone who is already working in this busy SE1 area and is able to bring their clientele and knowledge of what the neighbourhood wants.
Thirdly, we need a person that loves and understands what we do. Yes, we’re a barbershop but the blokes are our product. We need someone that is able to support, mentor, demonstrate and uplift, all whilst getting people swiftly in and out of the chair!
Finally, we will be looking for some real flexibility. During the day we are immersed in teaching and model haircuts, converting to a commercial barbershop with our employed graduates once the evening shift starts. Your role will run all day, working through your clientele with focus and flair as each day unfolds around you.
Primary responsibilities will include the following:
- Having a busy chair from opening to close, consistently delivering professional service and excellent trims
- Supporting the daily transition from training to trading centre, assisting the turnaround and offering your clients the same service throughout
- Overseeing consultation and haircuts for walk-ins and booked clients, whilst managing delivery on your own column
- Supporting front of house as needed – supervising and occasional management of the space
- Communication with General Manager regarding resources needed, breakages and client issues (complaints)
- Ensure that all work is carried out in compliance with health and safety requirements, ensuring any incidents are reported and accidents resolved
- Knowledge and use of Booksy and our Point of Sale system (training will be delivered on site)
In our opinion this role is so special because not only will you be continuing to build your reputation and experience, you will also impact the trainees and graduates around you in attitude, professionalism and skill. You will be the great example of where they could get to.
ABOUT YOU
Our hope is to find an energetic, organised, and positive team player, similarly comfortable working independently. The role will demand calm focus and control of your chair as well as spontaneity and initiative. Also a desire to build skills will be key, we aim to run a barbershop open to all types of people and every single kind of hair.
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As a rough guide the sorts of skills/qualities we are looking for are:
- An excellent reputation from your clients and the ability to attract clients to XO Barbers
- A strong set of barbering skills, with willingness to grow into new areas
- An excellent reputation. Perfect punctuality, professionalism and person skills, letting others learn this from you
- Excellent organisational skills – every day can be very different, but the delivery must always be the same
- Use of and ability to train on IT systems – Booksy and POS (point of sale) will be used consistently
- Strong communication and teamwork – a good balance of speaking and listening
- Ability to manage workload – prioritising and balancing focus between cutting, supervising and at times managing the space
HOW TO APPLY
If you would like an informal conversation before applying, have any specific questions, or would like the chance to come and talk through in person please do contact Benji at benji@xobarbers.com
If you would like to apply, please do get in touch with maria@onwardsandupwards.uk to register your interest, sending your CV, any portfolio or online profiles, and your proof of liability insurance. We will be reviewing applications as they come in so do please register your interest so we can invite you in for a trade test.
All applicants need to have the right to work in the UK and be able to provide two references. Please also be prepared to bring proof of your liability insurance with you.
We are particularly interested in improving the diversity of our team. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled and experienced people, particularly from candidates with lived experience of the criminal justice system and those from black and minoritised backgrounds, who are underrepresented in the sectors we are working in.
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