Store Development Manager

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This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and organized professional to join the Brand & Store Experience team at the John Lewis Partnership. This role offers a chance to significantly impact the future of John Lewis stores by shaping and delivering ambitious retail concepts.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: You will be at the forefront of defining and delivering key store initiatives, from optimisations and refurbishments to entirely new commercial concepts. This is a chance to leave a tangible mark on the physical retail landscape.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role demands close collaboration with leads across the entire business. This provides unparalleled exposure to different departments and fosters strong stakeholder relationships, crucial for career advancement.
• Project Ownership & Governance Navigation: You'll own projects from initial brief development through to final approval and post-completion review. This requires mastering and efficiently navigating complex governance processes, a highly valued skill in large organizations.
• Agile & Hybrid Working: The Partnership embraces a hybrid working model, offering a balance between office-based collaboration and home-based flexibility. With core office days designed for connection, this role supports a modern approach to work-life integration.
• Partnership Culture: As part of the UK's largest employee-owned business, you'll be a Partner, sharing in the responsibilities, rewards, and successes of the organization. This unique ownership model fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Strategic Brief Development: A core responsibility is crafting clear, ambitious, and deliverable briefs that are directly aligned with the overarching business strategy. Candidates should possess strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Prioritisation & Resource Management: The role involves making difficult decisions about prioritisation and resource allocation, especially when faced with financial or resource constraints. A pragmatic and data-driven approach to trade-offs is essential.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: You will act as the "front door" for the Brand & Store Experience team, meaning exceptional communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills are paramount. The ability to translate complex ideas into clear, concise presentations will be key.
• Navigating Governance: While the role aims to streamline governance, a strong understanding and ability to effectively navigate existing stage-gate processes is crucial for efficient project delivery.
• Fixed-Term Contract: This position is initially offered as a 6-month secondment/fixed-term contract with the potential for extension. Candidates should be comfortable with this contract structure.
• Location & Travel: The role is based at the London Head Office campus. Candidates should be prepared for travel to John Lewis branches and competitor sites as necessary, with travel costs being the responsibility of the successful candidate.

Career Path Guidance:

This role is an excellent stepping stone for individuals looking to deepen their expertise in retail strategy, brand experience, and project leadership within a large, established organization. Success in this position will demonstrate a strong capacity for strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and effective navigation of corporate structures. It provides a fantastic opportunity to build a robust portfolio of high-impact retail projects and hone skills in business planning, demand management, and stakeholder engagement. For those aiming for senior roles in retail management, strategy, or operations, this role offers invaluable experience and visibility.