Job Introduction
As Senior Brand Partnerships Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the end-to-end delivery of high-profile and commercially significant brand partnership projects. Reporting to the Head of Brand Partnerships, you will oversee the planning, governance and execution of large-scale experiential retail activations, ensuring every project delivers exceptional customer experiences whilst achieving partner objectives and commercial outcomes.
Working across all categories you will act as the central project lead for key pop up retail sites, bringing together cross-functional teams to successfully deliver complex campaigns across the business with a proven ability to negotiate priorities and influence outcomes across multiple stakeholders.
Alongside leading a portfolio of strategic projects, you will manage one direct report, providing coaching, support and development whilst embedding best practice project management across the Brand Partnerships function.
This role is instrumental in delivering the innovative retail experiences that reinforce Selfridges' position as a global leader in experiential retail.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead the end-to-end project management of Selfridges' largest and most strategically important experiential retail partnerships, from initial briefing through to execution, evaluation and project close.
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Take accountability for the successful delivery of complex cross-functional projects across multiple retail categories including Non-Endemic, Fashion & Accessories, Home, Beauty, Technology, Fine Jewellery & Watches.
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Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, owning key milestones, timelines, critical paths, dependencies and governance processes to ensure projects remain on track.
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Act as the central point of coordination across internal departments including Buying, Retail, Marketing, Creative Vision, Events, Visual Merchandising, Operations, Property, Digital, Finance and Legal to ensure seamless project delivery.
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Build strong relationships with brand partners, acting as a trusted delivery lead to ensure partner objectives are understood, managed and successfully achieved throughout each project lifecycle.
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Chair project steering groups, governance meetings and cross-functional working sessions, ensuring clear decision making, accountability and effective communication across stakeholders.
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Work alongside the Head of Brand Partnerships to support strategic project planning and prioritisation across the department's experiential portfolio.
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Collaborate closely with Creative Vision during concept development, ensuring ideas are commercially viable, operationally feasible and aligned with agreed customer, commercial and brand KPIs.
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Lead the delivery of Selfridges-led creative initiatives within key retail spaces, including Selfridges Creative schemes and seasonal customer moments.
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Finalise project retail briefs in partnership with Buying and Retail teams, ensuring activations maximise customer engagement, commercial opportunity and operational excellence.
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Drive contracting processes alongside Legal, Procurement and Commercial teams, ensuring appropriate governance, approvals and contractual obligations are delivered efficiently.
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Identify project and calendar risks, dependencies and potential blockers early, implementing mitigation plans and escalating where appropriate to senior stakeholders.
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Manage project timelines, revenue, resource planning to ensure efficient delivery while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
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Ensure all project documentation, reporting and governance is maintained accurately throughout the project lifecycle.
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Produce regular project updates, status reports and post-project reviews for senior stakeholders, highlighting progress, risks, learnings and future opportunities. Manage approval processes both internally and externally.
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Line manage and develop on direct report, providing coaching, support, performance management and opportunities for professional development whilst fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
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Continuously review and improve project management processes, tools and ways of working to enhance delivery excellence across the Brand Partnerships team.
You'll likely have
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Significant experience leading complex, large-scale experiential retail, brand partnership, events or creative marketing projects from concept through to delivery, managing multiple concurrent workstreams and competing priorities.
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Experience working within a luxury retail, agency, media, events or customer experience environment.
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Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across senior internal and external audiences.
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Demonstrable experience leading cross-functional project teams across creative, commercial and operational disciplines.
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Excellent organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to anticipate risks before they arise.
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Commercial awareness with experience balancing partner objectives alongside customer and business priorities.
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Experience facilitating contracting processes and managing project governance.
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Strong presentation, communication and facilitation skills, with confidence chairing senior stakeholder meetings and steering groups.
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Experience working collaboratively with creative teams to translate concepts into deliverable, measurable customer experiences.
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Previous people management or mentoring experience, with the ability to develop and support high-performing team members.
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A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with resilience, adaptability and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences through innovative retail partnerships.
