Leadership Development Manager

Location: This hybrid role requires 3 days on-site at our Burnaby office and 2 days remote per week.

Salary: $97,000 - $106,000
Actual compensation within the range will be based on experience We also offer quarterly variable compensation package (bonus) + benefits

About Specsavers

Welcome to Specsavers - where we're not just about eyewear and eyecare, we're a purpose-driven organization committed to changing lives through better sight. As a certified Great Place to Work®, we take pride in our optometrist-owned and -led business model, providing quality eyecare and affordable eyewear to Canadians across the country.

Our journey began 40 years ago in the UK, with visionary optometrists Doug and Mary Perkins. Today, we support over 2,700 healthcare businesses, passionately caring for more than 44 million patients and customers worldwide.

At Specsavers, we believe that access to quality eyecare should be a right, not a luxury. That's why we go above and beyond to transform the eyecare experience in Canada. With our advanced clinical equipment and an extensive range of affordable and high-quality eyewear, we're here to make a real difference in the lives of our customers.

But that’s not all - we're also dedicated to fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive work culture. We strive to create an environment where our partners thrive while benefiting from the collective support and resources of our dedicated teams.

If you're passionate about making a difference, providing incredible care, and being part of a values and purpose-driven organization, join us on our journey to revolutionize the way Canadians experience eyecare. Together, we can change lives through better sight.

What You'll Do

Purpose of the role

The Leadership Development Manager (internally titled Partner Development Manager) plays a key role in supporting the Head of Partner Development to enable a structured leadership development framework that guides both new and existing Store Partners — the independent business owners who run Specsavers locations — as they join and grow within the Canadian Specsavers network.

This framework is designed to drive each Partner’s success and growth in their store. It also ensures that the induction process strengthens their alignment with Specsavers’ brand objectives — especially our unique approach to People and Customers in the Canadian optical industry.

The role places a strong emphasis on fostering regular engagement through meaningful leadership and training interventions — both between Store Partners and Specsavers and among Partners themselves. This helps cultivate a shared sense of purpose and momentum toward the common goal of delivering an industry-leading customer experience. It also contributes to building work environments that attract top talent and reinforce Specsavers as an employer of choice.

The successful candidate will help design, implement, and evaluate targeted leadership development initiatives that directly drive business performance. They will collaborate with Store Partners to identify leadership capability gaps, develop tailored learning programs, and measure improvements in operational excellence and growth outcomes.

This role requires a proactive mindset, the ability to translate data-driven insights into actionable strategies, and a strong commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability across the Partner and store network — across both Clinical and Retail functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery of Partner Development (PD) activities across all Canadian provinces, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regional needs.
• Manage and drive Partner participation in PD activities throughout the year
• Collaborate with Instructional Designers to support the creation, design, and implementation of impactful Partner Development webinars, face to face workshops, and online modules.
• Lead and manage the New Partner Onboarding experience for all new Partners joining Specsavers Canada, ensuring a smooth and effective integration into New Store ownership.
• Cultivate and coordinate a "Pay-it-Forward" culture through Partner Development activities and engagement events, fostering collaboration and shared success.

New Partner Onboarding and Induction:

• Collaborate with the RST and the Partner Recruitment Team to ensure a smooth transition and handoff from recruitment to the business, helping Partners integrate into their new store environment.
• Lead the delivery of the New Partner Development Program within province, coordinating with RRMs and CSCs to drive engagement among new Partners.
• Provide feedback to the Retail Support Team regarding Partner engagement with program content, and sign off on completed learning modules.
• Support the Head of Partner Development in the ongoing review and evaluation of the Partner Onboarding and Induction Journey, ensuring it remains relevant, effective, and up to date.
• Develop and implement tools, resources, and materials to support new Partners throughout their Onboarding and Induction period, ensuring a seamless experience.
• Take full ownership of the New Partner Induction framework, ensuring all deliverables are met and actions are carried out by the responsible departments on schedule.
• Continuously enhance and expand the development tools, opportunities, and resources available to new Partners prior to their store opening.
• Facilitate positive connections and hands-on learning experiences between new Partners and their stores through buddy relationships and experienced Partner mentoring, fostering activity.
• Actively encourage and support established Partners in developing mentoring relationships with new Partners, enhancing their integration into the business and contributing to their success..

 Building Connections with the Business:

• Build and maintain close relationships with Partner Development Managers across other markets in ANZ, UK and Northern Europe. Ensure the sharing of best practice, development materials and initiatives to ensure the Partners in Canada are exposed to as wide a development and engagement plans as possible.

What We're Looking For

• Adult Learning & Instructional Design – experience in adult learning principles and curriculum design as well as an experienced and accomplished facilitator
• Experience in leading change initiatives and managing transitions in a dynamic, multi-location business
• Digital Learning Tools - Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and other digital training tools to support remote or hybrid learning environments
• Ability to manage multi-faceted projects across various stakeholders, ensuring that training initiatives align with broader business objectives
• Comfort with using metrics and feedback to refine training programs and measure success
• Skills in empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution to better support and influence leaders through personal coaching and mentorship
• Regular Travel within Canada
• Ability to build strong personal and meaningful business relationships
• Confidence to influence and challenge to ensure the right business outcomes
• Is commercially astute and able to think innovatively and creatively to resolve problems
• Strong financial and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and at all levels, and adapt communication style to suit audience and engage and present in a variety of different forums
• Franchise industry experience ideal but not required

Our Fellow ‘Speccies’ Enjoy

• Generous vacation allotment and 1 paid volunteer day
• 1 extra paid day off around your birthday and an eyecare voucher every year
• RRSP matching
• Quarterly performance bonus
• Healthcare spending account
• Health and dental benefits effective on your first day
• Team and company social events

Behaviours We Value

• Collaborative: We work together as one Specsavers to deliver our purpose
• Curious: We question, explore, and seek out diverse perspectives to develop our knowledge and understanding
• Courageous: We challenge the status quo, we experiment with good ideas, and we are brave, bold, and fast in our decision making
• Compassionate: We care, support, and help each other
• Commercial: We treat money wisely and make decisions that are good for our customers, our partners, our people, and good for the long term

We hope that in applying with us, you value these things as well!

Our Hybrid Work Model

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Specsavers, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that a diverse team enriches our work environment and enables us to achieve our goals. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. If you believe you can contribute to our mission and vision, we welcome your application, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value the unique skills and perspectives each individual brings to our team.