At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead store strategy development and use data to shape decisions.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retail leader with a strong purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail by driving strategic location planning.
- Qualifications: Experience in location planning and strong data analysis skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
What You Will Do
- Lead the development of the store estate strategy for your region, acting as the subject matter expert for the business.
- Use data and analytics to provide insight that shapes strategy, improves forecasting and supports decision‑making.
- Build business cases for actions in your region, including new store openings, extensions, relocations, closures and footprint adjustments.
- Visit new sites and existing stores to assess opportunities and make informed recommendations.
- Deliver standalone analysis projects to answer key property‑related questions and influence strategic direction.
- Work collaboratively with Retail Regional Managers and other stakeholders to share insight, review performance and plan future actions.
- Partner with colleagues across Property, Retail, Finance and other teams to deliver projects and ensure alignment.
- Present business cases and analysis outcomes to senior stakeholders, making clear recommendations.
- Lead post‑opening reviews for new stores, analysing performance against forecasts and advising on improvements.
- Develop relationships with external data providers and drive innovation in digital solutions and analytical approaches.
- Stay informed on UK retail market trends and interpret these to support M&S strategy.
Who You Will Be
- Experienced in location planning, market development or a similar analytical role.
- Skilled in data analysis, with experience of working with large datasets and delivering actionable insight.
- Technically capable, ideally with knowledge of GIS tools (MapInfo, ArcGIS, QGIS), Excel, and analytical software such as Power BI, SQL, Python or Alteryx.
- Familiar with financial modelling concepts such as discounted cashflow, NPV and IRR.
- Able to write clear, compelling business cases and present complex analysis confidently to senior stakeholders.
- Strong communicator with the ability to build relationships across teams and with external partners.
- Comfortable working independently, managing priorities and developing ideas for analysis projects.
- Ideally based in the East of England or London, with flexibility to travel and stay overnight up to 2‑3 days per month.
- Full UK driving licence required.
Key Stakeholders
- Property Data & Analytics Team
- Property Acquisitions Team
- Property Finance
- Retail Regional Managers
- Property Estates Management Team
- Property Programme Office
- Pre‑construction and Store Development Teams
- Store Planning Business Unit
- Space and Customer Insight Teams
- Franchise and Outlet Teams
- Retail and Property Leadership Team
- Corporate Press Office
- External partners and suppliers
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
Property Location Planning Manager – East of England (Inc. North East London) employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Contact Detail:
MARKS&SPENCER Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Location Planning Manager – East of England (Inc. North East London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those already at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they're really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your analytical skills! Prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Bring examples that highlight your experience with GIS tools and financial modelling.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation game! You’ll need to present business cases to senior stakeholders, so rehearse how to communicate complex analysis clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the M&S team!
We think you need these skills to ace Property Location Planning Manager – East of England (Inc. North East London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis and any tools you’ve used, like Excel or GIS software. We want to see how you can turn numbers into actionable insights that can shape our store strategy.
Craft a Compelling Business Case: When writing your application, think about how you can present clear and persuasive business cases. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your ability to make informed recommendations and influence decisions.
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication is key! Make sure your application reflects your ability to convey complex ideas simply. We’re looking for someone who can build relationships across teams, so show us your collaborative side.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor it to the Property Location Planning Manager role by referencing specific responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at MARKS&SPENCER
✨Know Your Data
Make sure you’re comfortable with the data analysis tools mentioned in the job description, like Excel and Power BI. Brush up on your skills with GIS tools too, as being able to demonstrate your technical capabilities will impress the interviewers.
✨Craft Compelling Business Cases
Prepare a few examples of business cases you've developed in the past. Be ready to discuss how you approached the analysis, what insights you derived, and how those insights influenced decision-making. This will show your ability to think strategically.
✨Understand the Market Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in the UK retail market. Being able to discuss how these trends could impact M&S’s strategy will demonstrate your industry knowledge and your proactive approach to location planning.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you can showcase your communication skills during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different teams in the past and how you plan to build relationships with stakeholders at M&S. This is key for a role that requires cross-team collaboration.