At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital innovation and collaborate with teams to enhance customer experiences.
- Company: Join Pret, a vibrant company passionate about food and exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus potential, free food, and extensive leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital technology in a fast-growing hospitality brand.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital software development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We’re Pret: proud makers of freshly made food, organic coffee, and big ideas. Across 750+ shops and 20+ countries, our teams are shaping the future of Pret through innovation, inclusion, great customer service and a shared passion for doing the right thing. We’re growing fast on our mission to be the employer of choice in hospitality, everywhere we operate – so this is an exciting time to hop on board.
We Believe in Growing Good Things
Growth is at the heart of everything we do. From the freshly hand‑made food we create every day, to supporting our teams, we help our people grow in confidence, skills and to pursue their unique paths. Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people (like you!) find what they need to shine. And the proof is in the pudding – over 80% of our managers started on the shop floor! So did 20% of our Support Centre teams, including our CEO, Pano.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for passionate team players to bring joy to our customers every day. As a Head of Digital Technology, you’ll closely collaborate with the Product (Marketing Function) & Digital Engineering (Technology Function) teams to define priorities between new functionality and enablement work, oversee the operational aspects of the software development process to ensure effective workflows, as well as conduct code reviews to maintain quality and encourage testing best practices. The role is an exciting blend of big picture thinking and hands-on engineering support. You will have the ability to bring innovation, market insights and challenge our teams to drive towards a globally scalable and efficient equity and franchise business.
The Head of Digital Technology (and Digital Software Engineering) reports to a director level role and is responsible for providing a strategic vision and technology roadmap for the creation of digital products, placing a focus on high quality customer Web and App propositions. The role will require a strategic thinker who can align digital technology with business goals, drive digital product transformation, and enable Pret’s strategic Digital Engineering and Operations provider. The ideal candidate will be deeply technical with a blend of leadership skills, and business acumen. You will play a key part in Pret’s overall technology transformation in shaping the Digital and Martech Platforms that underpin Pret’s digital future to enable the expansion and creation of new digital propositions and digital marketing capabilities.
Key responsibilities
- In partnership with the Marketing Team develop and execute a digital and MarTech technology strategy to drive technical innovation and achieve business goals.
- Own the digital technology platform and digital technology strategy which will be a blend of in-house developed & SaaS products/applications.
- Oversee a blend of outsourced and Pret employed (FTC and contractor) engineers, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
- Evangelise the adoption of engineering best practices and ways of working.
- Have the ability to dive into code when required, demonstrating hands-on technical expertise.
- Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, effectively communicating technical concepts and strategic initiatives to non-technical audiences.
- Oversee the design, development, and implementation of scalable and reliable digital solutions, ensuring alignment with architectural principles and best practices.
- Support the translation of business requirements into technical requirements and aid the estimation, slicing and prioritisation approach for teams.
- Champion a culture of continuous learning and improvement, encouraging experimentation, knowledge sharing, and professional development within the engineering team.
- Drive digital product transformation initiatives to enhance efficiency, customer experience, and business growth.
- Assess and drive decisions on digital and MarTech technology investments, including SaaS products and the build vs. buy strategy, to ensure optimal solutions.
- Stay abreast of emerging digital technologies and industry trends, evaluating their potential impact on our business and make recommendations for adoption balancing the priority of features and technical enablers.
Experience and Skills required
- Experience working in the hospitality or retail sector is a must.
- Experience in planning and building solutions across an equity and franchise operating model is a bonus.
- A strong background in digital software development (having previously been a Head of Technology or Staff Software Engineer), specifically leading teams across front-end, back-end and mobile (ideally Node, React and for mobile Kotlin and Swift).
- Extensive experience driving extreme programming practices within an engineering team, instilling principles such as TDD, continuous delivery and pair programming.
- Experience building microservice applications hosted on the cloud.
- Knowledge of CI/CD and observability.
- Strong knowledge of software development, cybersecurity, and cloud.
- Self-motivated, passionate and driven individual who thrives working as part of a team.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire a team of engineers – particularly working with offshore delivery & support teams.
- A desire for continuous improvement with an ability to align technology with business objectives.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to guide critical issue resolution.
About you
- Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day.
- Bring your passion: share our passion for food and exceptional customer service.
- Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special.
We offer
- Competitive Salary and 20% bonus potential.
- Gold Card: We love making people’s day through our food and drinks. That goes for our teams too. That’s why everyone gets a Gold Card. When you’re in the office, your food and drinks are on us. And when you’re not, you can use your Gold Card to get up to 5 Barista-made drinks a day, and 50% off everything else (food, snacks, bottled drinks – the lot).
- 33 days of annual leave (including flexible Bank Holidays), increasing to 38 days the longer you’re with us.
- Free private medical cover, with the option to add family or partner at an additional cost.
- 4% of your pension contribution matched by Pret, rises to 5% after 5 years.
- Life assurance at 3x annual salary.
- Loyalty award for 5, 10, 15, 20 years’ service.
- Flexible Benefits Platform packed with lifestyle discounts.
- Season ticket loans.
- Financial wellbeing provisions.
- Free mortgage services.
- Sabbatical after 3 years.
- Opportunities to support our charity, The Pret Foundation.
Individual ways to grow
- We offer lots of opportunities for learning, whether you join us for a short stint or the long game, you’re good to grow with us. Including fully funded professional qualifications, leadership development and mentoring.
Diversity and belonging
- Everyone is welcome at Pret, we want you to feel confident and valued for who you are and to truly belong.
Pace and variety
- Our work is fast-paced with lots of variety, you’ll build a diverse skill set and learn a lot!
Community and purpose
- We’re proud to make a difference through The Pret Foundation, from tackling homelessness to reducing food waste and creating positive change for people and communities.
Our values
- Happy Teams
- Happy Customers
- Amazing Standards Every day
- Doing The Right Thing
The interview journey
Every interview process at Pret begins with the same two stages. First, you’ll have a relaxed 30‑minute conversation with our recruitment team so we can get to know you and your experience. Next, you’ll be invited to a one‑hour, in‑person interview with the hiring manager at our Head Office in London Victoria or at our Manchester Head Office. Depending on the role and function, there may be additional stages. These could include time spent in one of our shops, completing a task, or meeting a senior leader.
Before you apply
This role is based at Pret’s Support Centre in Manchester - we are open to London based applicants, where we work in a hybrid way - typically three days a week in the office. We’d love to get to know you, not a robot, so please do not rely on AI to complete your application.
Deadline to apply for this role: 25th September 2026.
Head of Digital Technology in Manchester employer: Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its team members. With a vibrant work culture in the heart of London, employees enjoy competitive pay, generous benefits including free food and drinks, and ample opportunities for personal and professional development. Join us to inspire teams and drive growth in a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Technology in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Tech Transfer Events
Tech transfer is all about networking, so make sure you're attending industry conferences and seminars related to technology commercialization. Events like the AUTM Annual Meeting or local innovation workshops are clutch for meeting key players and learning what's trending—plus, you might just bump into someone from Pret A Manger!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Having a solid portfolio can really make you stand out. Highlight any projects where you successfully brought a technology to market or improved a process. Sharing case studies or insights on platforms like LinkedIn can catch the eye of recruiters at Pret A Manger, showing them you’ve got the chops for the job.
✨Leverage University Connections
Many universities have strong tech transfer offices—connect with them! They often have ties to industry and can help you get your foot in the door. Plus, you might find openings or internship opportunities that lead to this full-time role at places like Pret A Manger.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join forums or online communities focused on tech transfer and commercialization. Platforms like ResearchGate or industry-specific Slack channels are great for connecting with professionals, discussing trends, and possibly learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream. Remember, your next opportunity could be just a message away!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Technology in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Transfer Know-How:In the tech transfer and commercialization world, it's crucial to highlight your understanding of intellectual property, patents, and market analysis. Make sure your CV includes relevant projects or experiences where you successfully navigated these areas. Any certifications in commercialisation would also give you a serious edge!
Tailor Your Documents for the Role:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the position at Pret A Manger, but also your knowledge of current trends in technology-transfer. Discuss specific cases where you've contributed to commercialising innovations or enhancing research outcomes—this will show you’re ready to tackle challenges head-on!
Quantify Your Achievements:In this field, numbers count! Whether it's successful licensing deals, funding acquired for projects, or percentage increases in collaboration outcomes, include these metrics in your CV. They not only make your accomplishments more tangible but also demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Business Acumen:Understanding the business side is just as crucial as the tech side! When writing your application, weave in examples that illustrate your strategic thinking and your role in negotiations or partnerships. This balance of skills is what will set you apart for a full-time role at Pret A Manger.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pret A Manger
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Knowledge
Brush up on key technologies and trends in technology transfer and commercialization. Be ready to showcase your understanding of licensing agreements and the innovation lifecycle, as well as any specific tools or software used in the field.
✨Show Your Business Acumen
This role isn't just about tech; it's also about understanding the market. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach bringing a technology to market, including strategies for assessing commercial viability and potential partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you'd approach real-world challenges in technology transfer, like negotiating a deal or handling stakeholder concerns—this can help us get a sense of your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past, particularly in scenarios that involved tech developers and business strategists coming together.
