Commercial Lead - Innovation Hub

Role Responsibility

The creation of the Innovation Hub at Selfridges forms part of our strategic initiatives for 2022 and is a fundamental element of our Customer Strategy in the long term.

The first key priority for the Innovation Hub will be to enable the growth of circular models at Selfridges – with a specific focus upon “Resellfridges” (resale) and Rental. Specifically, the Innovation Hub will be accountable for identifying new partners, opportunities and ventures in support of the broader Selfridges circular retail strategy.  This will include (but not be limited to):

•  Exploring, setting up and managing enabling partners and CX solutions to scale up Resellfridges at pace (£2m FY target)
• Discovering outer edge circularity solutions and ways to decouple growth from use of natural resources
• Building valuable learnings to inform the longer term business plan and route to profitability

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with the Executive Director B&M & Innovation Board to create a clear plan for the Innovation Hub to support the broader circular retail strategy
• Leading, defining and establishing ways of working for the Innovation Hub, ensuring the team is set up for success and embedded effectively in to the organisation
• Managing and leading the Innovation Hub team, ensuring all of the team are supported to be successful, and have clear direction both in terms of their roles and personal development
• Establishing effective relationships with key leaders in areas where collaboration is required to achieve success – such as Tech, Digital, B&M and Sustainability
• Communicating plans, progress and updates to relevant leaders on a regular basis – including the Selfridges executive team
• Accountability for overseeing and owning the management of relationships with external partners as they are introduced and onboarded with Selfridges
• Accountability for managing budgets and partnering with Finance to develop clear and credible business cases where investment is required
• Working with Legal as and when needed to ensure contractual obligations and and all required legal considerations have been met  
• Driving a customer and experience focused mindset across the Innovation Hub team, keeping the customer at the heart of decision making

The Ideal Candidate

• A proven background in circular economy and sustainability and an enthusiasm for developing solutions to complex and challenging problems
• A clear understanding of circular economy policy and strategy and evidence implementation of circular economy, corporate sustainability and/or net zero projects.
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience of leading others within an agile environment
• Proven to have lead on significant projects, effectively communicated and directed on strategy and implementation.
• Ability to work and lead autonomously
• Analytical mindset (is able to make decisions based on data)
• Evidence of developing strong relationships with brands and key business partners
• Resilient and resourceful with ‘can do’ attitude and strong focus on delivery
• Works collaboratively with others to achieve goals
• Flexibility in working style and approach depending on customer base and situation

About the Company

Our Creative Spirit 

We are more than a shop. We are a social space where culture and commerce collide to release an energy that we call the Selfridges spirit. We are here to make our world brighter, and everyone is welcome. 

Our Awards Cabinet 

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign. We were also recognised as a ‘Best 25 Big Company to Work For 2020’ as awarded by The Sunday Times.

Our Future 

Since 1909 we have been at the forefront of retail and today our stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham – alongside selfridges.com and the Selfridges App – continue to redefine the way we shop and socialise. As a Selfridges team member, you will learn what it takes to consistently drive innovation, success and amazing customer experiences. 

Everyone is welcome

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive working culture, and we see this as key to our success and our working culture. Here at Selfridges, everyone is welcome - irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or disability, we stand by equal opportunities for all. We are diverse, we are inclusive, we are Selfridges.

The Fun Stuff  

There are lots of reasons to be excited about joining Team Selfridges – from our fantastic team member communities to volunteer days and behind-the-scenes Selfridges experiences throughout the year. 

Other benefits and rewards include:

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme 
• Discounted gym memberships 
• Pension contributions  
• Annual travel pass and cycle to work schemes 
• Up to five paid volunteering days
• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development

Selfridges