Head of Technology Operating Model Transformation
Salary: Competitive Plus BenefitsLocation: London Store Support Centre, London, EC1M 6HAContract type: PermanentBusiness area: Sainsbury’s TechClosing date: 31 March 2026Requisition ID: 400052980
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Think about the scale it takes to feed the nation. The level of data, transactions and variety involved. Then you’ll realise this is a modern software engineering environment, because it has to be. We’ve made significant investment in the standards and principles that shape how we work. We iterate, learn, experiment and champion ways of working such as Agile, Scrum and XP. So you can look forward to exciting opportunities across everything from AI to reusable tech.
In a nutshell
This role leads the design and continuous improvement of how we plan, prioritise,deliverand measure value across Sainsbury’s Tech. You will work across the Chief TechnologyOffice to define clear,consistentand simple ways of working that help teams focus on outcomes, acceleratedecisionmakingand support our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy.
Accountable for bringing clarity,structureand coherence to our operating model, you will lead the transformation roadmap, embed consistent practices, and create the frameworks that help colleagues understand how we run Tech — from planning rhythms to team design, capabilityexpectationsand governance.
A strategic,influentialand highly collaborative leader, you will coach teams, simplify complexity, and make it easier for colleagues to deliver brilliant work.
What you need to todo
Lead the definition, evolution and embedding of the Sainsbury’s Tech operating model-spanning planning, delivery, governance, and team structures.
Translate strategic ambitions into clear,practicaland repeatable ways of working that enable pace,alignmentand measurable value.
Partner with leaders across technology and spanning all disciplines, product, engineering, delivery and more, to refine end-to-end operating practices and ensure they are understood and adopted consistently.
Define and maintain enterprise-level frameworks for how we prioritise, plan and measure value across Tech (e.g. planning cycles, prioritisation models, OKRs/outcomes, investment alignment).
Ensure our operating model supports strategy delivery and connects daily work to business outcomes.
Work with other divisions in Sainsbury’s like our central transformation team, CDO and more, to ensure our operating model is supported by clear metrics,reportingand transparency across teams.
Identifyopportunities to simplify processes,eliminateduplicationand streamline governance.
Drive adoption of “just enough” governance, enabling fasterdecisionmakingwhile managing risk effectively.
Support alignment between divisional ways of working (Tech, Digital, Retail, Operations) to reduce friction and increasecross-functionalclarity.
Capability, Culture & Leadership Enablement
Coach leaders and teams on adopting new ways of working, building confidence and capability across the organisation.
Rolemodel the behaviours, mindsets and practices needed for a modern,productcentrictech organisation.
Lead a small team of transformation specialists, uplifting capability and supporting their growth.
Build understanding of organisational design principles, role clarity, skillsframeworksand team health across Tech.
Stakeholder Leadership & Communication
Provide clear, compelling communication of operating model changes, ensuring colleagues understand the “what, why and how.”
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders including the CTO on operating model impact,risksand opportunities.
Represent the operating model in senior forums, ensuring visibility,alignmentand focus.
What you need to knowand show
Deep experience in operating model design, technology strategy,transformationor largescale organisational change-ideally within technology/productledorganisations.
Strong understanding of modern product,engineeringand delivery practices (agile, lean, DevOps, product-centred planning, value-based prioritisation).
Experience designing or embedding frameworks for planning, prioritisation,governanceor organisational design.
Ability to analyse complex systems and synthesise information into simple, clear recommendations.
Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence senior leaders across diverse disciplines.
Retail,consumerfacingor multi-brand organisation experience.
Background in management consulting,strategyor transformation roles.
Relevant certifications (Agile, Lean, OD, Product Operations, Portfolio Management).
What I need to show
Ability to leadenterpriselevelchange with clarity,confidenceand pace.
Strong collaboration across Product, Engineering, Delivery,Dataand business teams.
Comfort with ambiguity, acting as a stabilising force in times of change.
Outstanding storytelling-able to communicate complex concepts simply and bring people with you.
High emotional intelligence, activelisteningand strong judgement.
A mindset focused on outcomes,simplificationand continuous improvement.
What decisions I can make including budget
Operating model design choices and recommendations for how Tech should run.
Frameworks, tooling and processes for planning,prioritisationand governance.
Ways of working across the transformation scope, including adoption principles and standards.
Priorities and activities of the Op Model Transformation team.
Recommendations for capability uplift, roleclarityand structural changes (nonbudgetary).
Directly or indirectly manages
Directly manages 2 C5 Portfolio Managers
” We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business – and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:Starting off with colleague discount, you’ll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury’s, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. We’ve also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You’ll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 65% of salary (which may vary for Nectar360), depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).Your wellbeing is important to us too. You’ll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy up to an additional week’s holiday, and we provide private healthcare. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. You’ll also receive a company car cash allowance unless you are going to travel 10,000 business miles in your role, then you’ll be able to choose a car. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).”
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