M&S is moving with pace to open new and renewed footage. As part of this growth plan, a new store in Stevenage, Hertfordshire will be opening in early 2022  (anticipated date March 16th TBC) . The store is conversion from a former Debenhams site to M&S. This is going to be one of the biggest store openings for M&S in a number of years.

The store opening presents an exceptionally exciting opportunity for a highly talented Hospitality manager to join us  from October 2021. The right person will build their own team  to lead and project manage the entire end-to-end  delivery of the new store opening. From recruiting and developing a Hospitality team of brilliant people who role model our colleague expectations and operate with flexibility and multi skills, exceeding all ‘stores of the future’ principles.

Stevenage store will be part of East Anglia Region, situated on the Roaring Meg Retail park. The store was opened in 2017 and was the most recent of Debenhams store opening. The store will sit on 95,000 sq ft and as part of the transformation plans for the business, will encompass the new food renewal scheme and a number of external brand on Clothing & Home.

We are looking for a true hospitality professional, with huge experience, to join us and be the driving force behind our Hospitality operational excellence in Stevenage. This will be delivered through their leadership of the store team, to ensure the store has consistently ‘best in town’ standards.

About the role

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Support the Store Manager to design and deliver the opening strategy and first year trading plan for the store as well as build relationships with your peer group and senior retail leaders
• Provide inspiring leadership to the store team which builds commitment and drives high performance.
• Recruit and develop a high performing team of  Team Managers to ensure an incredible new store opening and best in town service.
• Develop great talent and capability, driving a truly multi skilled workforce.