Transformation Manager

Location: Dunstable 3 days a week in the office Transformation Manager

At Whitbread, we’re transforming for the future — and we need bold, ambitious leaders to make it happen. As a Transformation Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our strategic agenda, making sure game-changing initiatives land successfully across the business.

This isn’t just about process change — it’s about reimagining how we work, driving efficiency, fuelling growth, and creating long-term value. You’ll bring strategic vision, transformation expertise, and the energy to make change stick, ensuring programmes are not only well-designed but embedded to deliver lasting impact.

Why you'll love it here

• Car or Car Allowance
• Bonus of up to 30%
• Healthcare: Individual & Family BUPA healthcare
• Up to 10% matched pension
• Discounts: Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays and 25% discount on our Restaurant brand

What you’ll do

• Lead big change: Lead the design and execution of key transformation initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and achieve strategic objectives.
• Reimagine our operating model: Drive efficiency, profitability, and operational excellence by introducing best in class ways of working.
• Make change happen: Identify risks and issues associated with transformation initiatives and develop proactive mitigation strategies. Drive decision-making and delivery.
• Be the bridge: Act as a trusted partner to senior leaders, business functions, and external partners — Influence and challenge stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and delivery of transformation objectives.
• Own the numbers: Define KPIs, track impact of transformation initiatives , and use data to unlock opportunities for continuous improvement.

What you’ll bring

• Proven success leading large-scale transformation in complex organisations.
• Expertise in programme management (Agile, Waterfall, APM, MSP, PRINCE2 or similar).
• Expertise in business change management (ADKAR, Kotter or similar).
• Awareness of business strategy development and execution.
• Familiarity with financial and commercial aspects of transformation (cost savings, ROI, etc.).
• Understanding of governance and risk management frameworks in large-scale programmes.
• Ability to analyse complex data and produce actionable insights.
• Ability to design new operating models, processes, and ways of working.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and building relationships with senior leadership.
• Experience in delivering change programmes that align with strategic business goals.
• Experience with digital or technology-driven transformation initiatives.
• Experience in retail, hospitality, or similar industries — ideally at FTSE 100 level.
• Track record of delivering operational improvements and cost savings.

We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation.

Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. Speak to us about workplace adjustments, part-time and flexible working. Where possible we will support this.