At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global technology strategy and connect business goals with tech delivery.
- Company: Specsavers, dedicated to changing lives through better sight and hearing.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture focused on high performance and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global operations and shape technology's role in our future.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex technology portfolios in a global environment.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Specsavers, our purpose is clear – to change lives through better sight and hearing. Behind that is a global technology function playing a critical role in how we operate, scale and deliver better outcomes for our colleagues, customers and partners.
We’re looking for a Global Technology Portfolio Director to join us in a role that sits at the centre of our global transformation agenda; connecting business strategy, technology delivery, and people leadership across multiple domains that underpin our global operations.
This is a broad, high-impact leadership position, responsible for leading a group of Value Stream Directors who have responsibility for a portfolio of business-critical technology areas, spanning functions such as Supply Chain, Finance, People, Clinical and Audiology platforms. You’ll bring these areas together; aligning priorities, simplifying complexity and ensuring we’re delivering joined-up, high-quality outcomes across a global, matrixed organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
- Coaching and shaping the development of our end-to-end technology strategy through close collaboration with the Value Stream Directors.
- Working across the technology teams to support cross-functional delivery, setting direction, sequencing activity and ensuring initiatives deliver measurable value and outcomes.
- Bringing alignment across teams, regions and value streams, connecting dependencies, identifying risks and ensuring a more integrated approach to delivery.
- Acting as a bridge between business strategy and technology execution, ensuring priorities are translated into clear, actionable plans.
- Building strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and shaping direction at an enterprise level.
- Leading and developing senior leaders across multiple teams; creating clarity, accountability and a culture of high performance and collaboration.
- Maintaining oversight of portfolio performance, including governance, budget alignment, delivery standards and risk management.
- Working with external partners and suppliers to ensure we’re getting the right capability, value and long-term outcomes from our technology investments.
- Driving consistent ways of working across teams, contributing to strong standards in delivery, architecture, engineering and data.
What we’re looking for:
- You’ll bring experience operating at scale, with a track record of leading complex technology or transformation portfolios, ideally in a global, matrixed environment.
- Leading a group of experienced directors with credibility and in line with our values.
- Being able to pull together the complex and create simplicity through having sight of the whole and taking an enterprise view.
- Making difficult decisions that may impact individual portfolios but benefit the whole.
- Understands and has experience in navigating and maximising governance processes to drive efficiency and delivery.
- Commercially aware, with strong judgement and a focus on value and outcomes.
- Able to balance pace, quality and long-term impact in a complex environment.
- Collaborative, pragmatic and focused on making things happen.
Why this role:
This is an opportunity to step into a role with genuine impact across our global business. You’ll help shape how technology supports our global organisation, working on large-scale, high-profile programmes and influencing direction at senior leadership level. It’s a role designed for someone who enjoys bringing structure to complexity, connecting moving parts, and enabling others to succeed.
Location: Whiteley (Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office) with UK and International travel when required.
Global Technology Portfolio Director in London employer: Specsavers
At Specsavers, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Global Technology Portfolio Director, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects that make a real difference in people's lives, while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth through coaching and development. With a hybrid working model based in Whiteley, you can enjoy a balanced work-life environment, alongside the chance to engage with international teams and drive impactful change across our global operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Technology Portfolio Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to show how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. We recommend mentioning something specific from the interview to make it personal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Let’s get you that Global Technology Portfolio Director role!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Technology Portfolio Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Technology Portfolio Director role. Highlight your experience in leading complex technology portfolios and how you've simplified complexity in previous roles. We want to see how you connect business strategy with technology delivery!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about people leadership, so don’t hold back on sharing examples of how you've coached and developed senior leaders. We’re looking for someone who can create clarity and accountability, so make sure to illustrate your approach to building strong teams.
Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking:We need someone who can act as a bridge between business strategy and technology execution. Use your application to showcase how you've aligned priorities and delivered measurable outcomes in past projects. Show us that you can think big while managing the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Specsavers!
How to prepare for a job interview at Specsavers
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Specsavers' mission and values. Understand how their technology function supports their goal of better sight and hearing. This will help you connect your experience with their objectives and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Global Technology Portfolio Director, you'll be leading experienced directors. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, especially how you foster collaboration and accountability. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through complex transformations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to simplify complexity and make tough decisions. Think of scenarios where you've aligned priorities across multiple teams or navigated governance processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced decisions at an enterprise level and ensured alignment across various functions. This is crucial for the role, so have concrete examples at hand.
