At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and drive innovation at M&S to enhance productivity.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic retailer committed to quality and exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: M&S values diversity and offers support throughout the recruitment process.
- Why this job: Be part of a visionary team shaping the future of retail with AI.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in AI, strategic thinking, and collaborative skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary AI Technology & Engineering Manager to lead the build of our AI technology initiatives within the Data & AI department. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on technical oversight, responsible for building, scaling, and maintaining AI systems that drive data‑driven decision‑making and intelligent automation across the organisation.
You will collaborate closely with product teams, peers in architecture, data and ML engineering to build and operationalise AI solutions, lead technology roadmaps, and ensure the technical delivery of AI solutions across the enterprise.
What’s In It For You
- After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive a 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.
What You’ll Do
- Define the Strategy – Shape and lead the technical vision for how M&S will harness AI to drive enterprise‑wide productivity and innovation.
- Solve Business Challenges – Apply AI to address real business problems, enabling teams to self‑serve insights and solutions wherever possible.
- Build Scalable Solutions – Lead and manage a team delivering AI solutions, whether developed in‑house or sourced externally, at scale across M&S.
- Design the Operating Model – Establish a scalable and adaptable operating model encompassing people, processes, and technology to support rapid evolution.
- Drive Continuous Improvement – Champion a culture of steadfast efficiency, embedding AI into every facet of operations to unlock ongoing value.
Who You Are
- Proactive Attitude – A dynamic, high‑energy leader with a contagious enthusiasm for pushing technological boundaries to elevate business performance.
- Visionary Leadership – A seasoned leader with a validated ability to build and lead high‑performing AI‑focused teams from the ground up.
- Strategic AI Expertise – Deep conceptual understanding of AI within the data landscape, with the confidence to challenge and guide technology decisions that deliver maximum value to M&S.
- Industry Insight – Extraordinarily well‑connected to the constantly evolving AI ecosystem, staying ahead of market trends and emerging innovations.
- Collaborative Influence – Skilled at encouraging cross‑functional partnerships to unite top talent around solving complex business challenges through AI‑driven solutions.
Join M&S
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re redefining, innovating and leading the industry into a more diligent, inspiring digital era. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
AI Tech Development Manager employer: Marks and Spencer
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic employer that values innovation and collaboration. As an AI Tech Development Manager, you'll enjoy a competitive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a supportive work culture that champions personal and professional growth. Join us in redefining the retail landscape while enjoying perks like a colleague discount and wellbeing support tailored to enhance your work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Tech Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the AI field, especially those who have experience in retail. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends that M&S might be focusing on.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with M&S's current AI initiatives and projects. Understanding their existing strategies will help you articulate how your vision aligns with their goals during discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led AI projects in the past. Highlight your ability to drive innovation and efficiency, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your collaborative skills by thinking of ways to unite different teams around AI solutions. M&S values cross-functional partnerships, so be ready to share ideas on how to foster collaboration.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Tech Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the AI Tech Development Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling CV:Your CV should clearly showcase your experience in AI and technology leadership. Use specific examples of past projects where you've successfully implemented AI solutions or led teams to drive innovation.
Write a Strong Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss your vision for how AI can enhance M&S's operations and provide concrete examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
Highlight Collaborative Skills:Given the emphasis on cross-functional partnerships in the job description, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals, particularly in AI-driven projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Showcase Your Visionary Leadership
As an AI Tech Development Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've built and guided teams in the past, focusing on your strategic approach and the outcomes achieved.
✨Highlight Your Strategic AI Expertise
Prepare to discuss your deep understanding of AI within the data landscape. Be ready to challenge and guide technology decisions with confidence, showcasing how your expertise can deliver maximum value to the company.
✨Demonstrate a Proactive Attitude
Exude enthusiasm and energy during the interview. Share instances where you've pushed technological boundaries and how that has positively impacted business performance, reflecting your proactive nature.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Influence
Illustrate your ability to foster cross-functional partnerships. Provide examples of how you've united diverse teams to tackle complex challenges through AI-driven solutions, highlighting your collaborative skills.
