Head of Strategy and R&D

Specsavers; Glenrothes; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in eye and ear health is seeking a dynamic Head of Strategy and R&D to drive innovation and strategic initiatives. This senior role involves operationalizing strategic insights and fostering a culture of growth and change across multiple business units. Candidates should possess a blend of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and experience in North America is a plus. Join us in shaping the future by turning strategic vision into reality, enhancing how we deliver sight and hearing services globally.

Qualifications

• Passion for research and innovation.
• Experience in business strategy and M&A.
• Experience in North America is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic initiatives and innovation.
• Provide thought leadership in technology and customer experience.
• Support development of new services and evaluate commercial viability.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Innovation

Commercial acumen

Business modelling

Relationship building

Agile teamwork

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of Specsavers and help define what’s next for a global leader in eye and ear health? We’re looking for a Head of Strategy and R&D, a truly exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on innovation, strategic thinking, and driving transformational change.

Imagine being at the heart of our Strategic Initiatives team, where your insights and ideas will stretch the organisation’s thinking and uncover new opportunities for value and growth. In this senior role, you’ll be a catalyst for change, helping to provoke evolution across multiple geographies and business units. You’ll work closely with the Strategy and R&D Director, supporting and leading on strategic areas that will set the direction for Specsavers beyond the current planning horizon.

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re passionate about research, innovation, and staying ahead of industry trends. You’ll be responsible for scanning the horizon for new areas of disruption and potential, providing strategic thought leadership on developments in technology, clinical transformation, supply chain, and customer experience. Your work will help us answer the big question: “What’s next?”, identifying new markets, category expansions, and innovative ways to transform how we work.

What sets you apart is your ability to combine commercial acumen with strategic analysis, business modelling, and intelligence gathering. You’re a self-starter with a consultancy mindset, comfortable working in agile teams and building strong relationships across the business. You will be comfortable working in an international context with experience in North America being seen as a plus. Your experience in business strategy, innovation, and ideally M&A, means you can support the development of new services, evaluate commercial viability, and help Specsavers capitalise on opportunities that will drive our 2030 growth ambitions.

If you’re ready to make a real impact helping Specsavers stay ahead in a fast-changing world and deliver on our promise to change lives through better sight and hearing this is your chance. Join us as our Head of Strategy and R&D and be the driving force behind our next wave of innovation.