At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for technology in M&S stores and ensure seamless execution.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader shaping the future of shopping.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to redefining retail and supporting each other.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of retail innovation and make a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in tech and retail, with strong strategic and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Job Purpose
The Technology Blueprint Lead defines the strategy and standards for the technology blueprint across M&S stores. Accountable for defining the outcomes and the journey plan and providing a rolling long term horizon view of the plan and the sequencing. Working with retail, property and technology partners to shape the demand plan ensuring teams are set up to deliver the blueprint consistently.
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 outstanding quality, value, and 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
- Own and govern the Store Technology Blueprint as the single source of truth, defining hardware standards, target end-states, and what 'good' looks like—ensuring it remains stable, with intent, and aligned to roadmaps, supportability, and returns value.
- Lead rolling blueprint planning, maintaining a forward-looking refresh horizon for all stores, translating Digital & Tech roadmaps into clear, time-phased technology intent.
- Orchestrate cross-Digital & Tech demand, aligning multiple domains to surface initiatives early, resolve conflict, and ensure coherent sequencing before reaching delivery teams.
- Partner with Retail Implementation and Property, aligning blueprint intent to delivery realities, providing technical expertise, and ensuring clear handoffs for effective in-store execution.
- Drive obsolescence planning, governance, and blueprint integrity, ensuring proactive risk management, structured decision-making, consistent asset alignment, and a trusted, joined-up view of store technology plans.
Who you are
- Validated program and portfolio leadership experience, with a consistent track record operating in sophisticated, scalable organisations.
- Deep understanding of retail / technology environments, particularly hardware deployment, lifecycle, and in-store considerations.
- Strong strategic capability, able to operate across multi-year horizons while balancing long-term intent with operational constraints.
- Experience working in matrixed environments, partnering efficiently with implementation teams without direct ownership of execution.
- Highly credible partner manager and communicator, with experience engaging senior technology, property, and operational leaders, and knowledge of obsolescence and lifecycle planning.
Everyone's welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re redefining, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re redefining how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. 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 don’t hesitate to 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.
Head of Store Technology Blueprint in City of Westminster employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With competitive benefits such as a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a strong commitment to work-life balance, M&S empowers its employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in a vibrant retail landscape, the company fosters innovation and collaboration, making it an exciting place to contribute to the future of retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Store Technology Blueprint in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into M&S's values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their tech blueprint.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to hear about your leadership skills and how you've tackled challenges in tech environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Store Technology Blueprint in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Store Technology Blueprint role. Highlight your program leadership experience and understanding of retail technology environments.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically over multi-year horizons. Use examples from your past roles where you balanced long-term goals with operational constraints to show us you can handle the complexities of this position.
Communicate Clearly:We want to see your communication skills shine through in your written application. Be clear and concise, and make sure to articulate how you've engaged with senior leaders and managed partnerships effectively in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at M&S.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the technology landscape, especially in retail. Familiarise yourself with hardware standards and what 'good' looks like in store technology. This will help you articulate your vision and demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would approach long-term planning and sequencing for technology rollouts. Think about how you can balance operational constraints with ambitious goals. Bring examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar challenges.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
As a Head of Store Technology Blueprint, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Use examples that highlight your ability to partner with senior leaders and manage cross-functional teams effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about potential conflicts in technology demand and how you would resolve them. Prepare to discuss your approach to risk management and maintaining blueprint integrity in a dynamic environment.
