Head of Space Optimisation

Job Description

What You’ll Do

The Head of Space Optimisation is accountable for defining and delivering a best-in-class, end-to-end space strategy that positions space as a critical commercial lever for driving sales, margin and store productivity across the estate. This role brings together space optimisation across all stores (LFL and New), refits, CAD, and data and modelling into a single, integrated team, ensuring a consistent and commercially optimised approach to how space is designed, allocated and executed.

Operating at a strategic and enterprise-wide level, the role leads the development of data-led capabilities, including a centralised Space Optimisation Model, to enable smarter, more scalable decision-making across Merchandising, Retail and Store Development. The role is responsible for translating Primark's product and space strategy into executable plans across all stores, ensuring space allocation supports customer needs, category performance and long-term commercial objectives.

The role will establish and embed best-in-class space optimisation processes, creating a consistent approach to optimising and managing space across the estate. A key focus is maximising return on investment across all capital projects relating to space optimisation.

Through strong cross-functional leadership and a focus on performance, the role ensures that space is fully optimised across the store lifecycle, from initial feasibility and design through to in-store execution and ongoing continuous improvement, delivering measurable commercial impact and supporting long-term business growth.

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:

• Define and deliver the Space Optimisation strategy, positioning space as a key driver of sales, margin, store productivity and overall business performance.
• Act as a key strategic partner to senior stakeholders across Retail, Merchandising, Buying and Property, influencing decisions, building commitment to shared outcomes and driving business-wide change to maximise the commercial performance of space.
• Own the end-to-end space optimisation framework and governance, ensuring robust processes, clear decision-making and consistently high-quality delivery across all space activity.
• Lead space optimisation across new stores and refits, covering shopfloor and back-of-house layouts, adjacencies and space allocation to maximise conversion, customer flow, productivity and commercial performance.
• Lead the development and adoption of a centralised Space Optimisation Model, supporting data-driven decision-making across Merchandising, Grading, Option Management, Linear Planning and Retail performance.
• Oversee CAD and linear planning across the estate, improving planning accuracy, product grading integrity and execution while delivering a scalable approach at department and sub-department level.
• Own space data, reporting, modelling and performance metrics, using advanced analytics and insight to identify opportunities, measure outcomes and continuously improve space productivity.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team, creating clear accountability, strong collaboration and an inclusive culture while coaching and empowering individuals to take ownership of their development and deliver commercial impact.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring  

We want every person in our organisation to feel like they’re making a key contribution. Here are some of the experiences and skills you’ll need for the role:

• Senior leadership experience (10+ years) in retail space optimisation, ideally within a global, multi-market environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to use space as a strategic lever to drive sales, margin, conversion and store productivity.
• Highly data-driven and analytical, with proven experience translating complex data and insights into clear commercial decisions and actions.
• Strong strategic and operational capability, able to set long-term direction while maintaining focus on execution, commercial discipline and continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience partnering at executive level and working effectively across internal teams, consultants, contractors and suppliers.
• Strong technical expertise in space optimisation and planning, including proficiency in relevant tools such as AutoCAD and the ability to drive innovation in systems, tools and ways of working.
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams, creating clear accountability through target setting, performance management, engagement and development.

What You’ll Get

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle:   

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria. 

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.  

Additional Information

About Primark 

Primark was founded on a mission that everyone deserves to look and feel good – without paying more. We stand for great value without compromise, offering affordable fashion and everyday essentials that are made to last. Founded in Ireland in 1969, Primark is now an international fashion retailer with 500 stores across 19 countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East, employing more than 80,000 colleagues. Millions of shopper’s trust Primark every week for everything from everyday essentials like t-shirts and socks, to the latest fashion trends – all at unbeatable prices.

Primark is built on a belief and passion for physical stores – helping to bring high streets and retail centres to life and creating joyful, social experiences. The company is focused on driving positive change by giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes.