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Visual Lead

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  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Customer Relations
    Marketing
  • London

Requirements

  • Strong capability and expertise of all Visual skills including; ability to manage space, architecture and equipment handling; exceptional Visual merchandising capability and all aspects of Styling from windows to mannequin usage in store.
  • A proven track record in visual merchandising and management experience with a Visual Portfolio demonstrating previous work.
  • Strong external awareness of current fashion trends, competitors and new store openings/initiatives.
  • Strong leadership skills with ability to lead their direct report and work across multiple sites
  • Expertise in creating and delivering exceptional customer journeys and experience
  • Good understanding and up to date knowledge of commercial, operational and people processes and systems. Good level of digital capability - able to use all available data and MI (internal and external) to identify commercial, visual, cost savings & customer opportunities to increase profit
  • and a comprehensive understanding of systems and ability to exploit them
  • The ability to have difficult conversations with effective resolutions with both colleagues and line managers
  • Great communicator and active listener who will inspire, share their knowledge and best practices with others who has excellent planning skills, able to deliver under pressure and can build and maintain relationships across the business at all levels

Responsibilities

  • A key part of the role is liaising and working with Central Visual Merchandising teams and Trading & Operations teams to provide a Retail visual voice and to work with the strategy to maximise commercial opportunities through Visual Merchandising and coaching.
  • Accountable for driving the growth and profitability of the Stores through providing visual expertise to Store Teams across the business, supporting the Regional and Store Managers to drive high standards of Visual implementation and assist in the coaching of their store teams and development of knowledge and skills.
  • To build increased store capability and expertise of all Visual skills including the ability to manage space, architecture and equipment handling; exceptional Visual merchandising capability and all aspects of Styling from window implementation to mannequin usage.
  • To coach and train all levels of store colleagues across multiple locations and store formats. Lead the Visual Support Managers, planning their time and activity to support the smaller stores without any dedicated Visual Leadership in store. Coaching store teams on processes to enable perfect seasonal, campaign and event planning which drives consistent, inspirational and commercial delivery.
  • Lead the upskilling agenda to enable teams to deliver Visual Excellence across all business areas every season and for every campaign.
  • Collaborate with store teams to ensure confidence in their selling skills through excellent visual merchandising and customer experience.
  • Provide feedback which influences layout, policy guidelines and principles to enable right first-time delivery.
  • Ensure an up to date and relevant detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the local market and competitor activities to benchmark M&S performance. Support and influence the divisional and regional visual talent agenda, working closely with Regional Managers and People Partners.

FAQs

What is the role of a Visual Lead at M&S?

The Visual Lead is responsible for driving the growth and profitability of stores through visual merchandising, coaching store teams, and collaborating with Central Visual Merchandising teams and Trading & Operations teams to maximize commercial opportunities.

What areas will the Visual Lead cover?

The role covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, and East Anglia.

What qualifications are required for the Visual Lead position?

Candidates should have a strong capability in visual skills, a proven track record in visual merchandising and management, strong leadership skills, and a good understanding of commercial, operational, and people processes.

What benefits does M&S offer to Visual Lead employees?

Benefits include a 20% colleague discount, competitive holiday entitlement, discretionary bonus schemes, a defined contribution pension scheme, a tailored induction, wellbeing support, and a charity volunteer day.

Will the Visual Lead have leadership responsibilities?

Yes, the Visual Lead will lead Visual Support Managers and coach store colleagues across multiple locations and formats.

Is there a focus on training and development for the Visual Lead?

Yes, the role emphasizes upskilling store teams to deliver visual excellence and provides a wide range of training programs to develop skills.

How does M&S support work-life balance?

M&S offers industry-leading parental, adoption, and neonatal policies, as well as flexible working opportunities to support a healthy work-life balance.

What is the work environment like at M&S?

The work environment at M&S is dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving, focused on bringing exceptional quality, value, and service to customers.

How does M&S promote diversity and inclusion?

M&S is committed to building diverse teams and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported.

How can candidates request support during the recruitment process?

Candidates can let the recruitment team know if they need any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process when completing their application.

Forward thinking, future-focused and digital-first retail

Retail & Consumer Goods
Industry
10,001+
Employees
1884
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

We hold ourselves to a very high standard here at M&S. That much has never changed. Our attention to detail, forward thinking and passion for improvement has led to the creation of some of the nation’s most loved products. But a rapidly changing world demands that we change along with it. M&S has been at the forefront of social change for the past 134 years, and we’re determined to keep it that way. Setting bolder goals and giving our people the space and resources to achieve them. Today, we are a unique retailer delivering top quality food, clothing, home products and financial services. We employ over 80,000 colleagues who serve over 32 million customers. But what about tomorrow? We’ve put customer-focused digital innovation at the heart of our business, partnering with world-class technology firms to help shape the retail experience of the future. From digital transformation to empowering people to make a positive impact on wellbeing, communities and the planet, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. Because if you become part of our journey today, you’ll be shaping the very future of our business.

Benefits

  • Colleague Discount

    Receive 20% discounts in-store for you and members of your household

  • Bonus

    We have discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and our business performance

  • Pay

    Our salaries are competitive and reviewed every year

  • Life Assurance

    Life cover of twice your salary up to age 70 which is double when you join your M&S pension savings plan

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