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 fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, discounts, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and diverse team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail strategy while enjoying work-life balance and career growth.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in strategy consulting or corporate strategy with strong analytical and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: London Store Support Centre, London, EC1M 6HA Contract type: Permanent Business area: Finance & Transformation Closing date: 13 August 2026 Requisition ID: 400073715
We'd all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance.
That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury's.
For a FTSE business, we move incredibly fast.
When we're not handling projects, we're helping all corners of the wider group with what they're trying to achieve.
And around here, you can see the results of your work as soon as you walk into a store, which gives you a real sense of purpose and responsibility.
Better still, the team around you will listen to your ideas and opinions, and you'll have every chance to try something new.
The sheer scale and complexity of our set-up means there's always something else around the corner, and we'll help and support you every step of the way.
We're trusted to get on with it.
So get ready to make things happen here.
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.
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 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.
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.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience either working in a top strategy consultancy (Mc Kinsey, 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 Power Point 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
- #LI-AJ1
- 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).
- You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday.
- Season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health cash plans
- Pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day)
- 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
- Employee assistance programme
- You will also be eligible for private healthcare
- 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.
- Please see www. sainsburys. jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Strategy employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and customer service are at the forefront. Employees benefit from competitive pay, night shift premiums, and a range of perks including discounts and generous holiday entitlement, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Strategy position at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.
