Strategy and R&D Manager

Specsavers; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative optical company in Nottingham seeks a Strategy and R&D Manager to lead innovation and strategic growth initiatives. This position requires strong commercial acumen, strategic analysis skills, and the ability to turn insights into actionable strategies. The ideal candidate will engage collaboratively across teams, explore new business opportunities, and contribute to the company's growth plans in the optical and hearing markets. If you are passionate about driving innovation, we want you to join our team.

Qualifications

• Ability to turn insights into actionable strategies.
• Experience with AI, retail, digital, clinical, or healthcare.
• Proficiency in reporting trends and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation and strategic growth for the company.
• Support exploration of new business opportunities.
• Engage with colleagues across functions and external networks.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Strategic analysis

Intelligence gathering

Analytical skills

Research skills

Communication

Collaborative teamwork

Job description

Are you ready to help shape the future of Specsavers and play a key role in driving innovation and strategic growth? We’re looking for a Strategy and R&D Manager to join our Strategic Initiatives team a fantastic opportunity for a curious, forward-thinking professional who’s passionate about exploring new horizons and supporting transformational change.

Imagine being part of a team that’s always asking, “what’s next?” and mapping out the future of our business across all markets. In this role, you’ll stretch the organisation’s thinking, support the exploration of new opportunities, and help keep Specsavers ahead of industry trends and disruption. You’ll be responsible for research and project support across innovative programmes, delivering meaningful value and step change to the wider business.

You’ll thrive if you bring strong commercial acumen, strategic analysis, and a knack for intelligence gathering. Your analytical and research skills will help you find, understand, and report on information that supports concept creation, business modelling, and opportunity identification. You’ll be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues across functions and geographies, and engaging with external networks and trade shows to keep your finger on the pulse of innovation.

What sets you apart is your ability to turn insights into action supporting the continuous development of innovative thinking that helps Specsavers disrupt the optical and hearing markets. Whether it’s commercial, technology, clinical transformation, supply chain, or customer focused initiatives, you’ll provide input on macro health, tech, and consumer trends that will help the Group realise its ambitious growth plans. Experience with AI, retail, digital, clinical, or healthcare is highly valued, and you’ll be comfortable working internationally and communicating your ideas clearly.

If you’re ready to be part of a team that’s collaborative, curious, courageous, compassionate, and commercial where your ideas and insights will help shape the future this is your chance. Join us as our Strategy and R&D Manager and help drive the next wave of innovation at Specsavers.