Head of Transformation & Programmes – Store Launch

Head of Transformation & Programmes – Store Launch

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative store launches and create innovative operational models.
  • Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retail leader with a strong sense of purpose.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal growth and community support.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of retail and making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale retail transformations and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Your key accountabilities will include:

  • Translate strategic direction into scalable operating models, embedding clear processes, governance, and best practice across all store launches and renewals.
  • Define and evolve the end‑to‑end launch ecosystem, including methodologies, tools, and critical path planning, to enable consistent, high‑quality delivery.
  • Lead cross‑functional alignment across Property, Retail, Trading, VM, Marketing, and external partners—ensuring clarity, accountability, and effective decision‑making.
  • Embed a customer‑centric and data‑led approach, using insight and market trends to shape store formats, experiences, and operational execution.
  • Drive programme governance and continuous improvement, managing risk, removing barriers, and ensuring delivery is on time, on budget, and commercially robust.

Your skills and experience will include:

  • A strategic leader with extensive experience delivering large‑scale store, transformation, or operational programmes within retail environments.
  • Highly influential, able to align senior stakeholders, simplify complexity, and translate strategy into clear, actionable outcomes.
  • Commercially astute, with strong understanding of customer behaviour, retail trends, and the balance between brand, operations, and performance.
  • A resilient and adaptable operator, comfortable working across multiple locations and navigating ambiguity in a fast‑paced environment.
  • An inspiring communicator and collaborator, who builds high‑performing relationships, drives accountability, and champions continuous improvement.

What You Will Bring:

  • Strategic leadership with the ability to turn complex direction into clear, scalable delivery.
  • Proven experience delivering large‑scale retail or store transformation programmes.
  • Strong commercial acumen, using data and insight to drive decisions and performance.
  • Deep understanding of store operations and how to embed effective, repeatable frameworks.
  • Excellent organisation and problem‑solving skills, able to manage complexity and drive results at pace.

What’s in it for you?

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

  • 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
  • Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
  • Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
  • Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
  • Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
  • Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
  • Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
  • 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
  • One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.

Everyone’s welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming 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 Transformation & Programmes – Store Launch employer: Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits such as a generous colleague discount, flexible holiday options, and comprehensive wellbeing support, M&S empowers its team to grow and succeed while making a meaningful impact in the retail industry. Join us in shaping the future of retail and enjoy the unique advantages of working in a company that values purpose and community.

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Contact Details:

Marks & Spencer Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Transformation & Programmes – Store Launch

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role and company culture.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to transformation and programme management. Use the STAR method to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your strategic thinking! Be ready to discuss how you've turned complex strategies into actionable plans in previous roles. This will resonate well with the expectations for the Head of Transformation & Programmes position.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the M&S team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Transformation & Programmes – Store Launch

Strategic Leadership
Programme Governance
Cross-Functional Alignment
Customer-Centric Approach
Data-Led Decision Making
Commercial Acumen
Retail Trends Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in delivering large-scale store transformations and how you've aligned cross-functional teams in the past.

Showcase Your Strategic Leadership:We want to see how you’ve turned complex strategies into clear, actionable outcomes. Use specific examples from your previous roles to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams while driving continuous improvement.

Emphasise Commercial Acumen:Don’t forget to mention your understanding of customer behaviour and retail trends. Share insights on how you've used data to make informed decisions that positively impacted performance in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer

Know the Company Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into the company's values, mission, and recent news. Understanding how they operate and their strategic direction will help you align your answers with their goals, especially in relation to store launches and transformation.

Showcase Your Strategic Leadership Skills

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led large-scale retail transformations. Highlight how you translated complex strategies into actionable outcomes, as this is crucial for the Head of Transformation & Programmes role.

Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration

Be ready to discuss how you've worked with various teams like Property, Retail, and Marketing in previous roles. Share stories that illustrate your ability to foster alignment and drive effective decision-making across different departments.

Emphasise a Customer-Centric Approach

Since the role requires a data-led mindset, prepare to talk about how you've used customer insights and market trends to shape operational execution. This will show your understanding of the balance between brand, operations, and performance.