Job Description

Titles: Strategy Manager

Role Purpose: We are looking for an experienced strategy specialist to join the growing Primark Strategy team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with Primark’s leaders and managers to address key corporate strategy questions that will shape the future of the Primark business. You will form part of Primark’s growing Strategy team, reporting directly to our Strategy Lead.

Location: London (with travel to Reading & Dublin)

The Role:

• Act as an internal strategic advisor, responding to key strategic questions and challenges set by the Primark’s Leadership Team.
• Provide the critical thinking and analysis to breakdown opportunities and challenges to the future performance of the business in a quantified manner and take responsibility for identifying viable solutions with associated workplans.
• Work comfortably within the commercial, as well as environmental and social context of the business. In both instances, provide balanced recommendations that consider both the financial and ethical implications and imperatives.
• Identify, communicate, and execute on new opportunities related to the firm’s businesses functions
• Create input and build the case for strategic discussions and prepare presentations and workshop material on strategy topics
• Establish and review the strategic priorities of key programmes and work cross-functionally with the relevant teams to translate them into actionable, quantitative plans.
• Work closely with external partners / consultancies to execute strategic projects and initiatives ensuring that solutions are relevant to, and understood by the business. Additionally, focus on developing the internal capability and capacity to ensure successful execution and adoption.
• Participate in delivering against the objectives of the strategy function, including;
  • Supporting the on-going development of the strategic vision and agenda of the business and the associated business roadmaps to realise this ambition
  • Contributing to the planning and running of the annual calendar of strategic meetings with the Leadership Team / Senior Directors of the business
  • Monitoring external data (market, competitor, customer) and industry trends to identify new areas of opportunity for Primark (e.g. around technology / innovation)

Knowledge / skills / experience required

• Substantial and proven experience of business strategy development within a large organisation and / or consultancy environment. Experience working within sustainability and ethics is a significant advantage.
• Strong experience with the Retail sector and prior experience of advising senior management, to include a minimum 5 years’ experience working with or for retail companies (ideally within fashion / clothing)
• A real team player, with strong leadership skills and the ability to provide clarity and direction to previously unexplored situations and topics.
• The ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments and the strong interpersonal skills that are required to work cross-functionally and generate ‘buy-in’ from internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Substantial experience of conducting detailed data and financial analysis, with a good knowledge of relevant analytics tools and methodologies.
• Sound computer aptitude, particularly with spreadsheet / analytical packages (advanced Excel) and presentation (advanced Powerpoint) packages.
• Articulate and able to build a strong narrative argument, distilling lots of information into a clear and consistent story that will resonate with Primark management and executives
• Good written and oral communicator, with the ability to present to the most senior members of the business with confidence. Strong report writing and editing skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and conduct return on investment analysis.
• Proven project management experience (though formal training / accreditation not required)
• Strong coordination skills - able to maintain a large number of tasks to a high standard.
• Has a good understanding of organisational dynamics and business process and policies.
• Ability to build and nurture strong working relationships
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment with short, medium and longer term deadlines
• A passion for environmental and ethical sustainability – this role comes with the opportunity to affect great positive change for our planet and people and should be matched with equal energy and determination.