At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Property & Store Development strategy and drive transformation across M&S.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retail brand committed to innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail and make impactful decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior strategic thinker with experience in consulting or corporate development.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a highly strategic and commercially driven Head of Proposition to lead the development and delivery of the Property & Store Development strategy at M&S.
This role sits at the heart of shaping our future estate, driving transformation, and ensuring our property portfolio supports long‑term growth.
Partnering closely with the Director of Store Development and senior leaders across the business, you will set strategic direction, lead major transformation programmes, and create the insight, frameworks, and investment cases that guide high‑value decisions across our estate.
This is a senior, high‑visibility role suited to someone who thrives in complex, fast‑paced environments and brings exceptional strategic, analytical, and leadership capability.
- What You’ll Do
- Define and drive the Property & Store Development strategy, ensuring alignment with wider business priorities and long‑term commercial goals.
- Lead transformation programmes across the estate, from concept through to delivery, partnering with Property, Finance, Retail Operations, Commercial, and Format teams.
- Develop robust, insight‑led investment cases, including financial modelling, scenario planning, and capital prioritisation frameworks.
- Shape long‑term estate strategy, covering store formats, estate optimisation, future‑proofing, and major capital programmes.
- Create compelling executive‑level materials, translating complex analysis into clear, persuasive narratives for senior stakeholders and the Board.
- Use data, market insight, and performance tracking to identify opportunities, evaluate programme success, and inform strategic decision‑making.
- Act as a strategic thought partner to senior leaders, challenging assumptions, shaping direction, and influencing key decisions.
Who You Are
- A senior strategic thinker with experience in consulting, strategy, transformation, or corporate development, ideally within retail, property, or capital‑intensive environments.
- An ex‑management consultant with strong exposure to retail or property (ideal but not essential).
- Highly analytical, with deep expertise in financial modelling, investment appraisal, and data‑driven decision making.
- A confident communicator, skilled at crafting executive‑ready presentations and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Proven in leading complex, cross‑functional transformation programmes and operating effectively in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
- Commercially astute, organised, resilient, and collaborative – with a natural ability to challenge, simplify complexity, and drive meaningful change.
Benefits
- 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 our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a cause you’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
- Diversity & Inclusion
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.
If you feel you would 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.
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Head of Proposition – Property & Store Development in London employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Marks & Spencer Plc is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Salford. Employees benefit from a competitive package, extensive professional development opportunities, and the chance to lead cutting-edge HR technology initiatives, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Proposition – Property & Store Development in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Marks & Spencer Plc!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Proposition – Property & Store Development position at Marks & Spencer Plc via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Proposition – Property & Store Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Marks & Spencer Plc.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Marks & Spencer Plc’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Marks & Spencer Plc. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Marks & Spencer Plc. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Marks & Spencer Plc.
