At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Country Plans for European markets and translate strategies into actionable plans.
- Company: Major retail company focused on innovative market strategies.
- Benefits: Flexible work arrangements, competitive pay, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a focus on growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping business strategies across diverse European markets.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy implementation and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
A major retail company is seeking an experienced contractor to lead the development and implementation of its Country Plan process across European markets for a 3 to 4-month period.
This role is critical in translating central strategic initiatives and local market insights into actionable, market-specific plans that drive business success.
The Country Plans will serve as a key interface between in-country teams and central functions, supporting annual reviews and providing practical guidance for operations.
The immediate objective is to establish and run a robust, repeatable process for developing Country Plans across all European markets, working closely with Country Leads and stakeholders to ensure each plan is grounded in local realities.
The contractor will also codify the approach, templates, governance, and handover materials to embed this as an internal capability for future cycles.
Tasks
Scope of Role
• Define and operationalise the Country Plan approach
- Develop a practical, end-to-end Country Plan process for the European markets
- Set out process milestones, stakeholder engagement, decision points, and required outputs.
- Translate central strategic initiatives into actionable market-level plans, allowing for local adaptation.
- Create repeatable templates, guidance, and governance for future annual cycles.
• Lead the first version of Country Plan development
- Manage day-to-day delivery across all markets.
- Engage stakeholders to gather market-to-centre input and consolidate insights.
- Integrate internal materials, strategic initiatives, and country-level inputs into coherent Country Plans.
- Ensure high-quality, consistent plans that can be refreshed annually.
• Develop the insight base and strategic implications by country
- Consolidate market, customer, and competitor insights as appropriate by country tier.
- Assess the market position, performance, challenges, and opportunities in each market.
- Identify where central strategy should be adapted by country across key growth levers.
- Clearly articulate strategic nuances and rationale for each market.
• Consolidate initiatives, plans, and governance outputs
- Translate strategy and insights into concrete actions and governance outputs at the country level.
- Develop a clear view of key trading events, operational implications, and support needs by country.
- Prepare materials for regular country presentations and leadership discussions.
- Shape the development schedule and governance cadence for ongoing reviews.
• Create a repeatable internal capability and handover
- Produce templates, playbooks, and guidance for future cycles.
- Document roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.
- Recommend an effective operating model for sustaining the process internally.
- Support knowledge transfer and handover to enable Country Leads to own the process annually.
Requirements
We are looking for an individual who is
- An experienced Independent Consultant
- Skilled in implementing and operationalising strategy, ideally with experience translating central initiatives into country-level plans.
- Experienced in the retail sector, with strong market and trading insight.
- Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, including market leadership and central functions.
- Able to operate effectively in a lean environment, take ownership, and deliver at pace with analytical rigour.
- Experienced in working across multiple European markets, with an understanding of cross-market strategy development.
- A strong communicator, able to synthesise multiple viewpoints and create outputs that are embedded within the company.
- The role will require travel between the Head Office and European markets, with flexibility to work from home between trips.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Country Plan Project Manager employer: Project Blackbook
Project Blackbook is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and entrepreneurial work culture, perfect for recruitment professionals eager to make an impact in the tech industry. With a highly competitive commission structure and the opportunity for equity options based on performance, employees are encouraged to grow and innovate within a supportive environment. Located in the UK, we prioritise collaboration and personal development, making it an ideal place for those looking to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Country Plan Project Manager
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Project Blackbook. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Project Blackbook.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Project Blackbook.
We think you need these skills to ace Country Plan Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Project Blackbook and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Project Blackbook
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Project Blackbook will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Project Blackbook.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Project Blackbook.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Project Blackbook. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
