At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payment partnerships and shape the future of customer payments at M&S.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team transforming retail for a better future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions of customer transactions and drive payment innovation.
- Qualifications: Deep payments expertise and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Join M&S at a pivotal moment in the evolution of customer payments. As our leader for Payment Partnerships & Strategy, you'll own the relationships, economics and future direction of the payment services that power millions of customer transactions across stores and online. From managing strategic partnerships with acquirers, schemes and payment providers to shaping a forward-looking payments roadmap, you'll balance commercial performance, operational resilience and customer experience while driving innovation in areas such as digital wallets, Pay by Bank, Click to Pay and emerging payment technologies. This is a high-impact role with visibility across the business, influencing investment, strategy and supplier performance to ensure M&S remains commercially strong, customer-focused and future-ready.
What you'll do
- Own M&S's payment acceptance strategy and lead key partnerships across acquirers, card schemes and payment providers, ensuring strong commercial performance, operational resilience and an exceptional customer payment experience.
- Drive payment cost optimisation and commercial value, managing a multi-million-pound payments budget while identifying opportunities to improve performance, reduce costs and maximise return from supplier relationships.
- Lead the payment optimisation agenda, improving approval rates, reducing avoidable declines and enhancing customer journeys through initiatives such as routing, tokenisation, wallets and payment acceptance improvements.
- Shape the future of payments at M&S by identifying emerging trends, developing business cases and influencing investment in new capabilities including Pay by Bank, Click to Pay, NFC, digital wallets and other evolving payment technologies.
- Act as a senior payments SME and leader, providing strategic guidance, managing critical incidents and regulatory change, and influencing senior stakeholders across Finance, Technology, Product, Retail, Risk and Compliance to deliver business priorities.
Who you are
- You bring deep payments expertise, with experience managing payment acceptance across online and in-store channels, and a strong understanding of payment economics, processing, routing, tokenisation, settlement and optimisation strategies.
- You have a proven track record of managing strategic payment provider relationships, leading commercial negotiations, contract renewals and performance management to deliver measurable business value.
- You combine strategic thinking with execution, translating emerging payment trends and technologies into clear roadmaps, business cases and practical solutions that improve customer experience and commercial performance.
- You are a credible and influential stakeholder manager, able to communicate complex payment concepts to senior audiences, build alignment across teams and drive outcomes through collaboration.
- You are a recognised payments professional with strong knowledge of the regulatory and industry landscape, an active external network, and a passion for staying ahead of market developments and innovation.
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.
Payments Partnership & Innovation Lead employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee growth, making it a fantastic place for those looking to thrive in the retail sector. With flexible working hours and a commitment to personal development, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while contributing to a dynamic and supportive work culture. Join us in shaping a greener, more inspiring future in retail, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payments Partnership & Innovation Lead
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Marks & Spencer. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Payments Partnership & Innovation Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Marks & Spencer.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Marks & Spencer's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Marks & Spencer.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Marks & Spencer will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Marks & Spencer employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
