At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Transformation Programme Office to drive impactful change and improve business performance.
- Company: Join Dunelm, the UK's top choice for homewares, in a supportive and caring culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in transforming how we work and enhance customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex programmes and strong change management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
This is a hybrid position based out of our Leicester office (c. 3 days per week in office), with occasional travel to sites/partners.
At Dunelm, we’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. We see a significant opportunity to accelerate our business through strengthening our customer proposition, accelerating omnichannel growth, simplifying how we work, and building the data, technology and people capabilities to deliver sustainable long‑term performance, all delivered through a programmatic transformational approach to delivering step change results.
What you'll be doing
- Lead the Transformation Programme Office (TPO).
- Ensure the TPO is set up with the resource and capability needed.
- Define clear ways of working, set standards, develop and agree tools for both the TPO and the workstream leads.
- Run the programme’s governance rhythm (forums, templates, packs, actions/decisions, RAID) to ensure successful delivery of initiatives and targeted benefits.
- Integrated planning across workstreams: consolidate workstream plans into a single, connected programme plan (work packets / initiatives / milestones), maintaining alignment across sequencing, dependencies, and resourcing.
- Stakeholder support and challenge: act as a trusted partner to Exec Sponsors and workstream leads—helping them stay focused on outcomes, surfacing trade‑offs, and ensuring the programme remains ambitious, coherent, and deliverable.
- As a member of the Dunelm Leadership Team (DLT), be the senior external face of the programme, working with all leadership teams to balance their day‑to‑day trading responsibilities with the requirements of our ambitious transformation programme.
- Resourcing and capability shaping: identify capabilities and resources required to deliver the initiatives and prepare the organisation for the associated changes.
- Financial plan development: support Finance partners to turn workstream inputs into an investable multi‑year plan.
- Organisation readiness: ensure the breadth and depth of change lands effectively by coordinating the level of change across the various audiences.
- Performance tracking and value realisation: establish clear measurement and reporting against agreed outcomes, benefits, and proof points.
- Third‑party partner management: manage our external consultant/partner(s) day‑to‑day—clarifying scope and roles, planning the work, assuring outputs, tracking value delivered, and ensuring knowledge transfer as internal capability builds.
- Programme quality assurance: put in place proportionate QA across the programme and ensure workstream artefacts meet agreed expectations before governance and Board forums.
- Communication and engagement: ensure the programme has crisp, consistent materials for Exec, Board, and broader company updates.
To be successful you will bring:
- A pragmatic, outcome focused approach.
- Strong programme leadership.
- Confidence to challenge constructively.
- A bias for simple repeatable ways of working.
- High standards of transparency.
- Strong partner management.
Measures of success
- The Transformation “Operating System” is running, with clear governance cadence, forums, ways of working and standards that make the programme easy to steer.
- Single, joined up view of delivery across the portfolio, providing transparent tracking and reporting across milestones, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
- Active portfolio integration and trade‑off management, so interdependencies are identified early.
- Benefits and outcomes discipline is embedded, with clear measures, ownership, and a fact‑based view of where value is accruing vs at risk.
- Partner value and internal capability uplift, ensuring third‑party support is tightly directed and progressively reduces dependency through knowledge transfer.
What we’ll look for in you
- Led PMO / Programme Office / Transformation Office for complex, multi‑workstream programmes.
- Strong dependency, risk, and benefits management across cross‑functional initiatives.
- Deep understanding of change management.
- Comfortable operating with and influencing Exec/Board stakeholders and external partners.
Head of Transformation Programme Office in Leicester employer: Dunelm
Dunelm is an exceptional employer that fosters a caring and supportive culture, making it a place where employees feel at home. With a strong focus on employee growth opportunities and a commitment to innovation, the company empowers its team members to lead transformative initiatives while enjoying a hybrid work environment in Leicester. The collaborative atmosphere, combined with the chance to make a meaningful impact in the homewares sector, makes Dunelm an attractive choice for those seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Transformation Programme Office in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Dunelm or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Dunelm is all about making home life lovelier, so think about how your experience aligns with that mission and be ready to share examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to convey your passion for transformation and programme management clearly. Keep it concise and focus on how you can help Dunelm achieve its ambitious goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Dunelm family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Transformation Programme Office in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Transformation Programme Office role. Highlight your experience in leading PMOs and managing complex programmes, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven successful outcomes in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunelm
✨Know Your Transformation Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Dunelm's transformation goals and current initiatives. Understand how the Transformation Programme Office fits into their strategy. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their vision and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, especially in managing complex, multi-workstream programmes. Share specific examples of how you've built governance structures and improved delivery outcomes in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to lead the TPO effectively.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Think about potential scenarios involving Exec Sponsors and workstream leads. Be ready to discuss how you would support them in staying focused on outcomes and managing trade-offs. This shows that you understand the importance of stakeholder management in a transformation context.
✨Demonstrate Change Management Expertise
Since change management is crucial for this role, prepare to discuss your experience in driving organisational change. Highlight your understanding of change principles and how you've successfully implemented them in past projects. This will reassure them of your ability to ensure smooth transitions.
