Head of Technology Operating Model Transformation

Head of Technology Operating Model Transformation Salary:
Competitive Plus Benefits

Location:

London Store Support Centre, London, EC1M 6HA

Contract type:
Permanent
Business area:
Sainsbury's Tech
Closing date: 09 June 2026
Requisition :

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, deliver and measure value across Sainsbury’s Tech. You will work across the Chief Technology Office to define clear, consistent and simple ways of working that help teams focus on outcomes, accelerated decision making and support our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy.

Accountable for bringing clarity, structure and 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, capability expectations and governance.

A strategic, influential and highly collaborative leader, you will coach teams, simplify complexity, and make it easier for colleagues to deliver brilliant work.

What you need to do

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, practical and repeatable ways of working that enable pace, alignment and 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, reporting and transparency across teams.

Identify opportunities to simplify processes, eliminate duplication and streamline governance.

Drive adoption of “just enough” governance, enabling faster decision making while managing risk effectively.

Support alignment between divisional ways of working (Tech, Digital, Retail, Operations) to reduce friction and increase cross-functional clarity.

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, product-centric tech organisation.

Lead a small team of transformation specialists, uplifting capability and supporting their growth.

Build understanding of organisational design principles, role clarity, skills frameworks and 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, risks and opportunities.

Represent the operating model in senior forums, ensuring visibility, alignment and focus.

What you need to know and show

Deep experience in operating model design, technology strategy, transformation or large scale organisational change-ideally within technology/product-led organisations.

Strong understanding of modern product, engineering and delivery practices (agile, lean, Dev Ops, product-centred planning, value-based prioritisation).

Experience…