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- Tasks: Lead planning strategies for M&S’s UK store estate and manage applications from concept to consent.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic retailer committed to quality, value, and exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail development in an inclusive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be RTPI member with a degree in Town Planning and relevant experience.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; we welcome diverse applicants ready to make a difference.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Town Planner to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of M&S’s UK store estate. As a key planning expert, you’ll lead the coordination and delivery of planning strategies that support our Store Rotation and wider UK Property Strategy. Working across a variety of high-profile retail projects, you’ll manage planning applications from concept through to consent—liaising with internal teams and external consultants to drive efficient, commercially sound outcomes. You’ll bring RTPI expertise, a strong understanding of local and national planning policy, and a proactive approach to identifying and managing planning risk. If you’re passionate about town planning and excited by the fast-paced world of retail development, this is your chance to make a tangible impact on the high street.
What’s in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…
- After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you\’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you’ll do
- Collaborative and strategic engagement with internal partners in Acquisitions, Estates, Asset Management, Design and Store Planning, Programme and Procurement, Construction, HR, Comms and Legal to drive acceleration within the Store Rotation and UK Property Strategy.
- Undertaking asset management, estates management and new store planning activity across the UK.
- Responsibility for leading the planning process, coordination of internal and external collaborators within this. Obtaining and comparing fee rates and best value of consultants, and appointment and management thereafter.
- Driving standard process across the external and internal project team to obtain operationally acceptable planning consents for the blueprint store delivery.
- Driving consistency and best practice in management of the planning process and calling out project and programme risk early.
Who you are
- A member of The Royal Town Planning Institute
- Have a degree related to Town Planning
- Have extensive experience performing at a similar level.
- A Strong communicator giving programme updates to Head of Planning, Programme Team and other relevant stakeholders
- Experience in preparing and coordinating submissions of reps to local planning policy reviews with the aim to improve planning policy for M&S UK property strategy.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re ambitious about the future of retail. We’re innovating, disrupting, and leading the way into a more inspiring, digital era. It’s an exciting time to be part of M&S.
To support us on our journey, we’re building inclusive, diverse teams where everyone can be themselves, do their best work, and make change happen. We support each other and succeed together.
Don’t worry if you don’t meet every single requirement of the job description. It’s more of a guide to what’s possible within the role. If you’re passionate, ready to work hard, and think the role feels right for you, we’d love to hear from you
#hybrid
Town Planner employer: Marks and Spencer
Contact Detail:
Marks and Spencer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Town Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the town planning field, especially those who have experience in retail development. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and challenges in the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with M&S’s current store locations and their property strategy. Understanding their approach will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed planning applications in the past. Highlight your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on local and national planning policies that could impact M&S’s operations. Being knowledgeable about recent changes will show your proactive approach and readiness to tackle planning risks effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Town Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Town Planner position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, such as RTPI membership and experience in planning applications.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in town planning, particularly any work related to retail projects or managing planning applications. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in similar roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for town planning and your understanding of M&S’s goals. Mention how your background aligns with their needs and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their UK Property Strategy.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since strong communication is essential for this role, ensure you provide examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to engage with various stakeholders and manage project updates effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Familiarise yourself with both local and national planning policies relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how these policies can impact M&S's store estate and your approach to managing planning applications.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Town Planner, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with internal teams and external consultants in past projects.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous planning roles and how you overcame them. Highlight your proactive approach to identifying and managing planning risks.
✨Align with M&S Values
Research M&S’s values and culture. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding inclusivity, innovation, and customer service.
