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RETAIL LEADERS DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

#DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

Progress your learning and develop the skills needed to lead one of our multi-million-pound stores.

Salary starting from £25,000

Closing Date: 23/11/2025

Apply now
Apply now

Progress your learning and develop the skills needed to lead one of our multi-million-pound stores.

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About the programme

Discover more about what to expect on the Retail Leaders Degree Apprenticeship, which skills can help you succeed and your career options after the placement ends.

This is a very competitive programme, so we may close applications earlier than advertised.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll begin as a Customer Assistant, immersing yourself in the processes that make our stores run smoothly and getting close to customers and colleagues. You’ll work across all departments and learn from experienced managers. With support and training, you’ll develop your technical and leadership skills, as you move into your first Team Manager role. At six months into the programme, you’ll enrol onto a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

You’ll then take on training to prepare you for a Deputy or Store Manager position within 18-24 months, where you’ll continue to grow your experience of leading your own team, supporting the management of daily store operations and building your wider business knowledge.

What it takes to succeed

Strong leadership potential. No degree needed. This course is designed for those who haven’t been to university. If you’re keen to grow a career in retail, here are the behaviours that will set you up for success:

  • Showing the ambition to lead, communicating clearly and responding confidently to resolve situations
  • Delivering 5-star service, with attention to detail, safety and delivery
  • Ready to deliver against goals and targets to meet business plans
  • A curiosity for retail with a genuine interest in our customers

Where it could lead

The path to store leadership. The momentum for a long-term career. By the end of the programme, you’ll be ready to take on the responsibilities of a Deputy or Store Manager. You could set your sights on the role of Regional Manager or explore how you can use your experience and skills within another area of the business.

Why choose M&S Retail?

With a strong own-brand model and a reputation for quality, value and innovation, we’re one of the UK’s most-loved brands for a reason. We’re continually looking for new ways to improve and stay ahead in a fast-changing market. Our five-year vision is to reshape retail for the future and you can play a pivotal role in driving this transformation forward as a potential future leader of M&S.

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Your team

JJ - Graduate
JJ - Graduate

Originally, my end goal for the programme was to become a Team Manager, but thanks to all the hard work I’ve put in and the support of my managers, I’m proud to say that I will have achieved that by early next month. Now I need a new goal – I think I want to be a Deputy Store Manager by the end of January next year!

Estelle (She / Her) | School Leaver Read full story

I knew I loved the energy of retail before I joined, but people arrive with no experience at all and M&S has nurtured that within myself and others. The pace is fast, the challenges keep coming and the development path is clear: everything that happens is helping to shape you as a manager. It is an amazing way to build a career and I do recommend it to friends, all the time.

JJ (She / Her) | Graduate Read full story

Your career path

Future leadership. Regional responsibility. A long-term career. Wherever your ambitions lie within M&S, we’ll help you get there with structured learning and development, coaching and career mapping.

Here is what your career path on the programme will look like.

Customer Assistant

In the first few months, you’ll hit the ground running through our Customer Assistant immersion. You’ll learn the ropes quickly and develop a solid understanding of our customers, which will form a strong foundation for your career at M&S. You’ll gain insight into operations behind the scenes and, most importantly, will be a key part of the M&S Christmas magic. By December, you’ll take the lead on a project in store that gives you real accountability, giving you the chance to make a tangible impact and build your confidence early in your journey with us.

Team Manager

You will then step into the role of Team Manager, leading and developing a team to support your store to run smoothly and effectively. Your role could be in any store within your allocated region, as different store sizes and formats offer varied experiences and breadth of learning. Alongside this, you’ll be studying towards your degree. While balancing academic work with a fast-paced store environment is a real learning curve, you’ll be fully supported to manage both.

Deputy Store Manager / Store Manager

Around 20 months into the programme, you’ll start to learn how to manage an entire store – during your training you’ll support the management of daily operations, deliver a regional project and strengthen your business knowledge across the board.

Store Manager

Towards the end of your programme, you will be getting used to consistently delivering as Store Leader. You’ll lead your store team and have full responsibility for the effective running of your store.

Larger retail role

We have big ambitions for your future and will support you on a development path that could see you stepping into a Regional Manager role or managing a full line/academy store as you progress in your career with us.

Two Marks & Spencer employees smiling as they discuss products on a store shelf, with one pointing and the other holding a tablet.

Learning & support

Your development is our priority. We’ll give you a structured programme including mentoring, on-the-job training, and opportunities to solve real challenges that will help you build a long-term career at M&S. And, if we believe you can reach your potential faster, we will give you the tools and opportunities to do it. But the person who is really going to make this happen is you. With our support, we want you to own and drive your development.

Benefits

How to apply

We’ll provide reasonable adjustments during the assessment process. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate you.

Requirements & essential skills

This programme is all about mindset. You’ll need to be ambitious, have grit and determination with leadership aspirations and a genuine enthusiasm for retail and customers. The ability to work and learn quickly, as well as communicate clearly are needed to build trust and relationships in your team.

You must also have:

  • Strong functional literacy and numeracy skills (A*-C/9-4 in GCSE English and Maths or equivalent)
  • The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the degree apprenticeship
  • Have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years before the start of the programme or have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Application form

Your first step will be to complete our online application form and tell us more about who you are and why you want to work with us. 

You can only apply to one graduate or school leaver programme during this recruitment cycle that starts in September 2026.

We close our vacancies on a rolling basis and closing dates may be subject to change. We encourage you to submit your full application as soon as possible.

Online assessment

We’ll invite you to take part in a two-stage online assessment, where you can find out more about M&S whilst we find out more about you. 

Assessment centre

If your online assessment is successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre alongside your peers. The recruitment process for store-based roles will also include an opportunity to attend your final interview in one of our stores.

Retail Leaders Degree Apprenticeship

Location
Salary starting from £25,000
Closing date: 23/11/2025
Apply now