At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with the Founder & CEO on strategic projects and financial modelling.
- Company: Join Zapp, London's leading premium on-demand retail platform, disrupting the market since 2020.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and free lunch at HQ.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and independence.
- Why this job: Gain direct exposure to high-level decisions and shape the future of a fast-growing company.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in finance or strategy consulting; strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About Zapp
Zapp is London's leading premium on-demand retail platform. Founded in 2020, our vision is to disrupt the multi-trillion dollar on-demand retail market, currently dominated by major players, by developing best-in-class customer-centric technology and fulfilment solutions. Zapp partners with some of the world's leading brands to deliver an exclusive range of hand-picked products 24/7, delivered in minutes.
Overview
This role sits in the Founder’s Office, at the centre of how Zapp sets strategy, plans and allocates capital. You will work closely with the Founder & CEO, with direct exposure to the decisions that shape the business and a seat in the room where they are made. You will build the models and analysis behind Zapp’s biggest decisions: where we open next, how we price, and where we invest. You will partner with teams across the business to turn their plans into numbers, and the numbers into decisions. Zapp is growing fast, and this role grows with it. You will see how the business is run from the top, work on whatever matters most at the time, and have room to take on more as we scale.
What You Will Do
- Working with the Founder & CEO
- Prepare the analysis and materials behind the Founder & CEO’s strategic priorities.
- Take on Founder’s Office projects across the business as priorities change, from new initiatives to cost savings.
- The operating model
- Build and maintain Zapp’s operating model: the integrated P&L, balance sheet and cash flow model behind major decisions.
- Develop it on customer drivers: acquisition and acquisition cost, cohort retention, order frequency, basket size, channel mix and Zapp+ conversion.
- Develop it on operational drivers: fulfilment centre count and maturity, and cost per order across riders, staff and the distribution centre (DC).
- Model the financial case for strategic opportunities, including new channels, partnerships and investments.
- Support material supplier and partner negotiations, including marketplace partners, modelling the value of terms before they are agreed.
- Support fundraising and corporate activity with financial analysis, investor materials and due diligence.
- New store rollouts
- Build the financial case for new fulfilment centres: catchment demand, ramp-up curve, fit-out capex and payback.
- Model rollout scenarios across the network.
- Track each site against its case after launch.
- Scenario modelling across the business
- Act as a modelling partner for commercial, operations, marketing and product.
- Model the impact of proposed changes before decisions are made, for example pricing moves, new channels, or delivery and staffing changes.
- Planning and capital allocation
- Support the annual budget, quarterly reforecasts and long-range plan, working with the Finance team.
- Build the analysis that compares competing calls on capital: new sites, marketing, technology and working capital.
- Track returns against approved cases.
- Commercial and unit economics (1P and 3P)
- Support the pricing, category management and marketplace teams across 1P (the Zapp app) and 3P (marketplace partners), sizing opportunities and the margin impact of their decisions.
- Assess the profitability of advertising, promotions and offer mechanics such as bundles and multibuys, before launch and after they run.
- Quantify the margin impact of pricing, promotional and Zapp+ decisions.
- Data and reporting
- Work with the Data team so the model, management accounts and KPI reporting all run off the same numbers.
Requirements
- 4+ years in investment banking or finance-led strategy consulting, or a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with 2+ years post-qualification in a commercial role, such as FP&A, corporate development, transaction services, corporate finance or strategy.
- Has built driver-based financial models from the ground up, covering both customer economics (acquisition, retention, cohorts, lifetime value) and operational costs.
- Has built business cases for capital investment.
- Retail, multi-site or rollout experience is a strong plus.
- Exposure to fundraising, M&A or corporate transactions is a plus.
- Comfortable working directly with the Founder & CEO and senior leadership, and turning a loose question into a clear recommendation.
- Entrepreneurial mindset - comfortable in a fast-moving environment, able to take responsibility from day one and work independently by following processes and own directions.
- Comfortable working with large customer and order datasets.
- Advanced Excel.
- Discretion, sound judgement and integrity are non-negotiable.
Benefits
- 25 days of holiday per year, plus all bank holidays.
- Private health insurance.
- Zapp Credit for testing the Zapp service and experience.
- Lunch provided 4 days a week at HQ.
- Extended sick pay and maternity/paternity leave pay.
Founder’s Office (Corporate Strategy & Planning) employer: Zapp
Zapp is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Nine Elms, London, where innovation and growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including private health insurance and generous leave policies, Zapp fosters a culture of collaboration and high performance, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the convenience retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founder’s Office (Corporate Strategy & Planning)
✨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 Zapp!
✨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 Founder’s Office (Corporate Strategy & Planning) position at Zapp 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 Founder’s Office (Corporate Strategy & Planning)
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 Zapp.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Zapp’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 Zapp
✨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 Zapp. 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 Zapp. 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 Zapp.
