Role: Director of Infrastructure & Operations
Specsavers is here to change lives through better sight and hearing by delivering outstanding value, being loved by every customer, and creating the place where all colleagues are proud to belong as we grow our business.
The Director of Infrastructure & Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of core technology platforms and IT services across a complex, global environment. They will lead a multidisciplinary team of approximately 130 professionals, overseeing a wide portfolio that spans infrastructure platforms, service management, and operational governance.
In addition, they will drive transformation initiatives, strengthen service reliability, improve operational efficiency, and ensure technology capabilities align with the needs of business both now and in the future.
This role is critical in shaping and executing the technology strategy that supports Specsavers ambitions in continuously delivering growth and create the best possible customer experience.
What you will be doing:
- Work collaboratively: As part of the Senior Leadership Team within Technology to own the standards for everything Technology does. Whilst you will have direct accountability for a number of capabilities, you have a critical role in ensuring the success of the function as a whole, through engaging with, supporting and driving adherence to the standards set across the function.
- Visionary leadership: Provide guidance to the Infrastructure & Operations function, aligning services and platforms with broader organisational goals, ensuring your teams are engaged with our Long Term Framework and strategic direction.
- People Development: You will create a culture where you and your leadership team actively focus on talent development, role-model a focus on learning and create an inclusive environment where all colleagues feel included, heard and valued.
- Networking: As part of the Technology Operating Board, you will be a strong collaborator, both supporting and challenging and actively seeking the same from your peers and Directors across the organisation.
- Strategic Thinking: Contribute to and execute the IT strategy, ensuring Infrastructure and IT services enable business growth, innovation, and resilience.
- Transformation: Champion transformational change across IT, driving automation, standardisation, and adoption of cloud and modern service models.
- Operations: Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of IT services across all locations.
- Infrastructure management: Drive architectural consistency, modernisation, and cost-efficiency across the technology platforms, including Servers, Networks, Telephony, Cloud, Observability, M365, IAM, End User Services
- Continuous Improvement: Enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness the function, consistently promoting innovation and automation. Identify future global service management requirements and priorities, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation.
- 3rd Party Advisors: Partner with strategic vendors as BT, Accenture, and other global technology suppliers to enhance service provision and deliver best possible value from services.
- Risk Management: Assess and mitigate operational risks, including cybersecurity threats, compliance issues, and resource constraints, to safeguard the organisation's technology assets, services, and data.
What you will bring:
- Proven track record of developing and leading senior leadership teams, setting strategic direction, and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing teams and lead through organisational change.
- Previous experience of operating effectively in a highly collaborative and matrix environment.
- Extensive experience of designing, implementing and optimising Infrastructure & Operations functions in a complex global organisation.
- Track record of delivering large-scale operational and transformation initiatives.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and strategic influencing skills.
- Deep understanding of service management principles, frameworks, and best practices, particularly ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing significant operational budgets and vendor contracts.
- Proven experience in developing and executing strategic plans for Technology aligned with organisational goals and objectives.
- Experience in driving continuous improvement initiatives to optimise service provision and operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Strong skills in managing relationships with external service providers and vendors, ensuring compliance with service agreements and driving value for the organisation.
- Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with Technology service delivery, including security, compliance, and operational risks.
- Experienced with project management principles and practices to oversee Technology service-related projects and initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and achievement of objectives.
- Solid understanding of systems, infrastructure, and technologies to facilitate informed decision-making and support strategic I&O initiatives.
Desirable skills:
- Certifications such as ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant certifications.
- Familiarity with modern enterprise tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, ServiceNow, Azure, Cisco, etc.).
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in the Technology industry, as well as experience driving innovation initiatives, can help in identifying opportunities to leverage technology for improving service delivery and driving business value.
- Experience working in the retail industry can provide valuable context and insights into industry-specific requirements and challenges related to I&O service provision
- Experience working on global projects or with teams in diverse cultural settings.
Location: Hybrid with 2/3 days a week at our office based just outside of Southampton
If you are looking to join an organisation in growth mode that places customers at the heart of decision making, please apply today. We look forward to hearing from you.
