Strategy Manager

Job Title: Strategy Manager
Reports To: Head of Strategy
Team: Strategy
Location: Reading or London, UK or Dublin, Ireland (Hybrid)
Job-Type Full Time - Permanent

Purpose of the Role:
We are looking for an experienced Strategy Manager to join the Primark Strategy team. We have a significant growth and expansion agenda underway and we are always assessing the next new market opportunity. In this role, the successful candidate will work with Primark’s leaders and managers to address key corporate strategy questions that will shape the future of the Primark business.

This exciting position will see a suitable candidate playing a pivotal role in driving strategic alignment and delivering against the strategic priorities of the business. A key focus of the role will be imagining new capabilities, developing actionable insights and delivering on strategic projects and initiatives. The successful candidate will also hold a strong portfolio, demonstrating excellent research, design, delivery and analytical skills. You will form part of Primark’s Strategy team, reporting directly to our Head of Strategy.



Duties & Responsibilities:

• Act as an internal strategic advisor, responding to key strategic questions and challenges set by the Primark’s Leadership Team
• Create trusted relationships and effective communication channels with leaders and relevant stakeholders to drive business objectives
• 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 with information gathered from multiple sources across the business, evaluate true business requirement, ensure proposed strategic solutions and processes are reconciled with all relevant business inputs
• 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.
• Set aggressive goals and be accountable for continuously driving improved performance and leading the strategic agenda
• Create input and build the case for strategic discussions and prepare presentations and workshop material on strategy topics
• Plan, manage and deliver multiple projects simultaneously
• Identify issues, develop hypotheses and communicate insights and recommendations to key decision makers
• Work closely with leaders across the business to capture key milestones which will be communicated to the leadership team and key stakeholders
• Establish and review the strategic priorities of key programmes and work cross-functionally with the relevant teams to translate them into actionable, quantitative plans
• Develop compelling, data-driven communications including strategic decks and vision work for ongoing projects and initiatives
• Work closely with external partners/consultancies to execute strategic projects 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)

Skills & Experience:

• 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 topics
• Effective and persuasive presentation skills, ability to present complex information comprehensible to all areas of the business, whilst demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence and the ability to push back with professionalism
• 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. Excellent attention to detail when interrogating high volumes of data/information
• 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
• Proven track record of project managing complex cross-functional projects while maintaining an efficient plan, tracking issues, and proactively communicating progress against project milestones
• 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
• Ability to keep abreast of the evolving retail landscape and consumer behaviours, bringing market insights, data and thought leadership into strategic planning to push the business forward
• Proven ability to manage budgets and conduct return on investment analysis
• Proven project management experience (though formal training / accreditation not required)
• Excellent planning and organisation skills, ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Challenges the status quo and applies lessons learned to enhance future ways of working
• Good understanding of organisational dynamics and business process and policies. Experience in dealing with strategic challenges posed by a growing retail business, fashion specific experience a bonus