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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects and shape the future of Sainsbury's and its brands.
- Company: Join a leading retail organisation with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in strategy consulting or related experience with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Diverse team culture that values curiosity and continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Please note that this role is initially for 9 months, which may be extended to 12 months (parental leave cover).
Location: Hybrid (approx. 2 days per week in our London office)
Why join us
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.
What you'll do
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 **** 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.
Who you are
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
Head Of Strategy in England employer: Sainsbury's
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Strategy in England
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current or former employees at Sainsbury's. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
If you can, set up informal chats with folks in similar roles or departments. This is your chance to learn more about the company culture and what they really value in candidates. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the role!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled complex problems in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you demonstrate your analytical mindset and project management skills effectively.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Strategy in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Strategy role. Highlight your strategic thinking and project management experience, especially in retail, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit for shaping Sainsbury's future.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: We love data-driven insights! In your application, mention specific examples where you've used data to inform strategic decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and structured approach.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, we want to see your enthusiasm for joining our team at Sainsbury's!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Sainsbury's current strategy and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their brands like Argos and Nectar. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their strategic goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used a structured, hypothesis-led approach to solve complex problems. Bring along data insights or case studies that demonstrate your analytical mindset and how it led to actionable recommendations in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in building relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders. Be ready to share stories about how you’ve successfully collaborated with diverse teams to drive strategic projects forward, showcasing your communication and project management skills.
✨Embrace the Retail Passion
Express your enthusiasm for the retail industry and your understanding of market dynamics. Discuss trends you've observed and how they could impact Sainsbury's strategy. This will reflect your passion and commitment to contributing to their success.