Transformation and Change Manager - The Works : Job Details

Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham. 

Why The Works?

10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Transformation and Change Manager

As our Business Transformation and Change Manager, you will be responsible for supporting The Works on its successful delivery of its new Strategy ‘Elevating the Works’. You will assist in setting up and embedding the new Business Transformation function.

You will be a vital link between teams across the business, providing support and challenge as projects are set up and delivered, providing advise on project briefings, project management, change management and comms.

With support from Technology Services, you will be instrumental in setting up systems to track and report on progress against out strategic goals ensuring it is easy to use, intuitive, accurate and up to date.

You will support in implementing best practices and company standards that will contribute to creating the best possible processes and outcomes for both our colleagues and customers.

Through clear planning and reporting, you will enable our colleagues to understand what is required to deliver the strategic plan, providing guidance, advice and best practice. You will challenge delivery of initiatives and support in unblocking risks and issues as they arise to ensure the outcomes and benefits are fully unlocked and embedded in the business.

Your Mission

• Strategic alignment: Support in ensuring that the initiatives within the plan align the overall strategic goals and objectives.
• Portfolio Management: Support in the creation of delivery plans and effective resource allocation, developing comprehensive project plans, setting milestones and overseeing the successful execution of projects. Cross functional collaboration is key to this role, including fostering relationships across functions and stakeholders.
• Project Management: Providing project management support and best practice advice to those projects that do not have an allocated project manager.
• Change Management: Building a change management framework that ensures effective delivery and embedding of change. Working with L&D and the Director of Executive Operations, support to ensure colleagues adapt to new processes and ways of working effectively.
• Benefits delivery: Support in the creation of a benefits framework that ensures all projects have outcomes, benefits and KPIs inherent in their design, monitoring, decision making and reporting.
• Unblocking risks and issues: Identify and mitigate potential risks and obstacles that may impede the progress of initiatives. Ensure RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies) logs exist for all relevant projects.
• Relationship building: Build strong relationships with stakeholders including senior management and all departments and act as the link between different teams to ensure resource is aligned for effective delivery.
• Governance: Embed and manage the front door process for all new ideas and investment approval.
• Effective Communication: Lead communication efforts across teams to share information in a timely, clear, and engaging manner, setting teams up for success.
• Operational Efficiency: Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to ensure projects are delivered efficiently.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Project management and change management: You have experience of managing projects and successful delivery and embedding of change into a business. Relevant qualifications desirable (e.g Prince II, MSP). Retail experience preferred.
• Portfolio management: You have experience of working in a business PMO or P3O function, or of working closely with such a team.
• Business transformation: You have supported the delivery of cross-functional business transformation projects with the delivery of outcomes and benefits at the forefront of your mind.
• Attention to Detail: You have a forensic attention to detail to help us get things right the first time.
• Colleague-Focused Approach: You prioritise making things easier for our colleagues, clearly explaining the why, how, what, and when.
• Influence and Challenge: You can influence and constructively challenge when necessary to ensure we do the right thing.
• Initiative and Passionate: You use your initiative and have the energy and passion to make things happen.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: You believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration as the best way to achieve results.
• Networking and Relationships: You understand the importance of networking and building strong relationships.
• Self-Starter: You are a self-starter committed to driving your own development.

 Being a great leader

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.•Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.•Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.•Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.•Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.•Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.•Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.•Empathy: Understan