At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects shaping Sainsbury's future and collaborate with senior leaders.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retail organisation with a focus on innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, performance bonuses, flexible working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail strategy and see your work come to life in stores.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in strategy consulting or corporate strategy with strong analytical skills.
Location– Hybrid (approx. 2 days per week in our London office)
Joining the strategy team at Sainsbury's presents a unique opportunity to directly shape the future direction of a leading retail organisation, with exposure across the Sainsbury's, Argos and Nectar brands. You will be at the forefront of driving impactful change, collaborating closely with senior leaders to lead high-profile strategic projects. Our team values diversity of thought, intellectual curiosity and ambition.
As the Head of Strategy at Sainsbury's, you will be at the forefront of shaping the company's future direction, collaborating closely with the board and divisional directors to create Sainsbury’s strategy to 2030 and beyond. Your role will involve leading 1-2 strategy projects at a time – managing small internal teams and external consultancies to answer our most challenging questions across our brands - structuring complex problems, developing hypotheses, and distilling key insights from data to inform recommendations for senior leaders. By building strong relationships with stakeholders, you also ensure the successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
A strategic thinker with a proven track record of leading teams and delivering high-impact corporate strategy projects within the retail industry. Your analytical mindset and structured, hypothesis‑led approach allow you to break down complex problems and generate actionable recommendations. Your exceptional project management skills, stakeholder engagement and communication abilities enable you to collaborate effectively with senior leaders and drive strategy projects forward. You embody the company's core values of customer‑centricity, accountability, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
Essential criteria:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience either working in a top strategy consultancy (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, LEK, Oliver Wyman, OC&C), or with a mix of top‑tier strategy consulting and industry/freelance/contracting experience
- Evidence of applying structured, hypothesis‑led approaches to solve corporate strategy problems and deliver actionable recommendations
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data sets to generate impactful insights for senior stakeholders – with excellent PowerPoint and Excel skills
- Proven ability to lead and inspire teams to successfully deliver project objectives
- Passion for retail markets, with practical understanding of customers, market, competition, and financial insights
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits.
Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance‑related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).
Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. You'll also receive a company car cash allowance unless you are going to travel 10,000 business miles in your role, then you'll be able to choose a car. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Head of Strategy employer: Retail
As a Home Delivery Driver with Retail, you will be part of a dynamic team that values flexibility and customer satisfaction. Our supportive work culture encourages personal growth through comprehensive training and varied hours, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life effectively. Join us in delivering not just groceries, but also exceptional service across the United Kingdom, while enjoying the unique advantage of working in a role that directly impacts our customers' daily lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Strategy at Retail!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Retail or be willing to refer you for that Head of Strategy position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Retail who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Strategy star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Strategy role at Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Retail. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Retail
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Retail. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
