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From forensic psychology to payroll senior
When Lucy graduated from university with a degree in Forensic Psychology in 2021, she never imagined she'd end up building a career in payroll. Today, she's a Payroll Senior Administrator, supporting colleagues and Partners across the business while continuing to develop her skills in a role she finds both challenging and rewarding.
After university, Lucy started her career in payroll and HR roles. While it wasn't the path she'd expected to take, she quickly discovered she enjoyed the variety, problem-solving and opportunity to support people every day. "What I've learnt is that payroll is much more than processing payslips. It's about supporting people, solving problems and making sure colleagues have a positive experience."
For Lucy, one of the biggest attractions of payroll is that no two days are ever the same. "One of the things I enjoy most about my role is how rewarding it can be. I love being able to help resolve payroll queries and provide support to colleagues and Partners across the business. Every day brings something different, which keeps the role interesting and gives you the opportunity to keep learning."
Joy's journey through Specsavers
When Joy joined Specsavers nearly 10 years ago, she had no idea just how many different opportunities her career would bring. Today, she's a Payroll Service Administrator based in Guernsey, helping to process payroll for Specsavers' UK and Irish stores. But her journey to Payroll has taken her through several teams across the business, giving her a unique perspective on how Specsavers works and how different departments come together to support stores, Partners and colleagues.
Over the years, Joy has worked in a variety of roles, including positions in Stores Reporting, Finance & Distribution, and the Legal Team. Each move gave her the chance to learn something new, build new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the business. "One of the things I've enjoyed most about my career at Specsavers is the opportunity to experience different areas of the business," says Joy. "Every role has taught me something different and helped me develop new skills." Those experiences have also given her a broader appreciation of the people and teams behind the scenes who help keep the business running smoothly.
Chris' story
Hi, I'm Chris, UK Payroll Services Manager at Specsavers. I've spent nearly a decade working in payroll and have proudly been part of the Specsavers team for the last two months.
For me, payroll is all about people. It's a vital function that helps build trust across the business, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately and on time, every time. While payroll is often associated with numbers and calculations, it's really about supporting people and giving them one less thing to worry about.
That's something I never take for granted.
Kelly's story
Hi, I’m Kelly and I currently work as a Payroll Services Accounts Analyst within the Specsavers Payroll Services team.
I joined Specsavers in August 2022 as a Payroll Administrator and moved into my current role in October 2024. Before joining Specsavers, I studied Law at university and worked as an Operations Manager.
What I enjoy most about my role is the analytical side of it. It gives you the opportunity to really dig into the detail and understand the behind-the-scenes activity that keeps payroll running smoothly, much of which often goes unnoticed. No two days are ever the same, which keeps things interesting and constantly challenges you to think differently.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me with my Kindle in hand and my nose in a good book, or enjoying the occasional countryside walk.
Explore support office careers
We’re no ordinary business. Doug and Mary Perkins founded Specsavers on a ping-pong table way back in 1984. Over 40 years later, we’ve expanded across the globe with stores in the UK and Ireland, Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. We’re a family-run business with stores owned and run by our partners, making each local store unique. So, when it comes to our business, it takes thousands of colleagues across our Support Office to keep everything running smoothly.
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Teaser
RetailContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/10/2026
Summary
Verbal information can be difficult for me to retain too. It isn't that I'm not listening or that I don't care. Sometimes the information simply doesn't stick. That's why I now deliberately ask collea
Teaser
PartnershipContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/10/2026
Summary
When Kayleigh, Audiology Partner at Specsavers Taunton, visited her GP with a bad back, an ADHD assessment was the last thing she expected to discuss.But as she explained how her symptoms were connect
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/10/2026
Summary
For most of his life, Matt felt different, but he couldn't explain why.Now 32, Matt has spent nearly 13 years working as a Dispensing Optician. After decades of struggling without understanding why, a
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
24/09/2026
Summary
When Lydia started exploring relocation opportunities, she was thinking about the life she wanted in the long term. After building her career in London, she made the move to Barrow-in-Furness in searc
Teaser
Early careersContent Type
BlogPublish date
23/09/2026
Summary
10 years ago, Senior Optometrist Hamza Mussa, was a university student looking for the right place to complete his training year. Today, he's helping future optometrists start their own careers throug
Teaser
Home VisitsContent Type
BlogPublish date
22/09/2026
Summary
When Adam Tugnutt relocated from Brighton to Liverpool, he wasn't sure whether he'd stay in optics. After more than five years as an optical assistant in a Specsavers store, he was ready for a change
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
21/09/2026
Summary
In 2026, most businesses have broad sustainability targets. While this is a huge step in the right direction, targets are no longer a differentiator; they are the norm. What matters more is making sur
by
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Teaser
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish date
14/09/2026
Summary
As a Dispensing Optician and Contact Lens Optician at Specsavers Newport, helping people see their best is what motivates Anni Waldorf every day. After 18 years in optics and four years with Specsaver
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/09/2026
Summary
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Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
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Summary
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Selected jobs for you
Salary
Up to £50,000 Dependent on Experience
Location
Boston, East Midlands
Store ID
0032
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Audiologist / Hearing Aid Dispenser
Location
Boston
Description
Ready to do the right thing by our customers? As a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD), you’ll share our vision to give customers the very best professional service, helping them improve their heari
Reference
sf-95595-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Abigail Davies
Author
Abigail DaviesSalary
Up to £42,000
Location
East Ham, Greater London
Store ID
2323
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Audiologist / Hearing Aid Dispenser
Location
East Ham
Description
Ready to do the right thing by our customers? As a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD), you’ll share our vision to give customers the very best professional service, helping them improve their heari
Reference
sf-95594-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Abigail Davies
Author
Abigail DaviesSalary
£82,500 Package
Location
Chepstow, Wales
Store ID
0527
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Home Visits Optometrist
Location
Chepstow
Description
Specsavers. A household name and a home visits pioneer. And you could be part of the team. We’re looking for a hard-working, passionate Domiciliary Optometrist ready to provide our customers who can’
Reference
sf-95593-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Abigail Davies
Author
Abigail Davies