At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee complex transformation programmes, ensuring effective governance and high-quality planning.
- Company: Join Specsavers, a leader in optical retail, driving impactful change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Shape major change initiatives and make a visible impact at the highest levels.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior PMO or project management within large transformation environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Are you ready to sit at the heart of one of the most complex and high-profile transformation programmes at Specsavers? We're looking for a PMO Manager to join our Group Change team and provide leadership, structure, and confidence across our transformation portfolio, starting with the Blended Experience Programme (BEP). This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives in complexity and enjoys bringing clarity, discipline, and insight to large-scale change.
As PMO Manager, you'll provide direction and oversight across the BEP PMO, ensuring the programme operates with strong governance, consistent standards, and high-quality planning and reporting. You'll work closely with programme leadership, delivery leads, and senior stakeholders to ensure decisions are well informed and delivery remains firmly on track.
You'll thrive in this role if you have a strong background in senior PMO or project management within large, complex transformation environments. You'll be comfortable working in part of a large programme team, shaping frameworks, setting expectations, and challenging constructively where needed. This is not a passive reporting role. You'll be hands-on, detail-oriented, and confident working in a fast-moving, high-profile environment where grip, insight, and follow-through really matter.
A core part of your role will be driving robust governance and reporting. You'll lead key programme forums, ensuring they are decision ready, insight led, and focused on action. You'll move the PMO beyond status reporting, providing forward-looking analysis, narrative and insight into risks, dependencies, delivery health, and emerging trends. Your ability to interpret complex programme data and present it clearly to executive audiences will be critical.
You'll also play a key role in risk, issue, and dependency management, ensuring these are identified early, actively managed, and escalated effectively. Alongside this, you'll support financial and resource tracking, helping leadership understand capacity constraints, sequencing challenges, and pressure points that could impact delivery. You'll work closely with delivery teams to strengthen PMO discipline, uplift standards, and embed consistent ways of working.
What sets you apart is your collaborative style and influence with stakeholders. You're a proactive thinker who can think ahead and foresee programme risks and challenges and you are comfortable working in the detail. You're organised, resilient, and confident managing competing priorities. You know how to build trust, influence senior stakeholders, and coach teams to continuously improve.
Experience with tooling such as Jira, Confluence, Power BI, MS Project, Planview, KeyedIn or similar will help you succeed, as will an understanding of blended delivery environments across Agile and Waterfall. If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely shape how major change is governed, planned, and delivered - and where your impact will be visible at the highest levels of the organisation - this is your opportunity. Join us as PMO Manager and help ensure Specsavers delivers its most important transformation with confidence and control.
PMO Manager employer: Job Search Place Limited
Specsavers is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, particularly within the Group Change team. As a PMO Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth through continuous learning and development opportunities, while also being part of a high-profile transformation programme that allows you to make a tangible impact on the organisation's success. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Specsavers offers a unique chance to thrive in a fast-paced setting where your insights and leadership will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Specsavers employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral. We all know that a personal connection can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the Blended Experience Programme (BEP). Understand its goals, challenges, and how your PMO skills can add value. We want you to show that you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one who can drive clarity and insight in this complex environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex projects in the past. We love candidates who can articulate their experiences clearly and demonstrate their impact on project outcomes.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at Specsavers. Let’s get you in the door!
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the PMO Manager role. Highlight your experience in large transformation programmes and any tools you've used like Jira or Power BI. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our Group Change team. Share specific examples of how you've driven governance and reporting in past roles, and show us your proactive thinking.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders. We love candidates who can build trust and coach teams, so share stories that demonstrate these skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Specsavers!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Transformation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on transformation programmes, especially in complex environments. Understand the Blended Experience Programme (BEP) and how it fits into Specsavers' overall strategy. Being able to discuss specific challenges and successes in similar projects will show you’re not just familiar with the role but genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Governance Skills
Prepare examples of how you've implemented strong governance and reporting in past roles. Be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured decision-making is informed and timely. This is key for a PMO Manager, so highlight your experience in leading programme forums and managing risks effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Stakeholder Influence
Think about times when you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders or built trust within teams. Share specific instances where your collaborative style made a difference. This role requires a proactive thinker, so be prepared to discuss how you foresee risks and challenges before they arise.
✨Get Familiar with the Tools
If you have experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, or Power BI, make sure to mention it! If not, do a bit of research to understand how these tools can aid in project management. Showing that you’re tech-savvy and can leverage these tools will give you an edge in the interview.
