Wickes are a digitally led, service enabled organisation with a mission of having a project
in every home.
Reporting to the Chief Information Technology Officer this role is responsible for leading technology innovation, implementation and validation of ideas and showcase technology-driven solutions for simplifying business processes.
Working collaboratively with the digital and enterprise delivery teams, as well as the broader IT Leadership Team and through building a high impact team and capabilities, the Head of Technology Innovations will be responsible for building, trialling and validating solutions from a minimum viable product state to full-scale rollouts in coordination with the delivery teams.
You will also build core technical solutions to aid delivery and improve delivery effectiveness and productivity. You will be focussed on the user experiences and journeys, business outcomes, technology advancements, and business value.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Lead technology innovation initiatives in Wickes with progressive and innovative approaches to business processes and technical solutions, rapidly iterating and validating ideas and suggestions from business and market.
- Create and maintain an innovation strategy and framework for Wickes
- Steer, influence and prove the effectiveness of new technologies and simplified processes to business, management and IT delivery teams.
- Showcase disruptive technologies to explore potential use-cases and anticipate the benefits for customers, colleagues, partners and business.
- Manage Wickes Accelerator Programme to innovate on areas identified by the business and leadership team.
- Simplifying User Journeys
- Study, document and simplify user journeys, user experiences and touch-points of customers, colleagues and partners
- Leverage technological capabilities in Data, AI and APIs to support solutions in a predictive and assistive manner
- Guiding Innovation from Ideation to Implementation
- Visualise and simplify omni channel user journeys across touchpoints, devices and platforms, to help the business continually improve processes and user experience.
- Continually evaluate new and emerging technologies that complement and accelerate customer experience and satisfaction
- Create and facilitate rapid ideation sessions with business and technology teams to meet the needs of their customers and colleagues in the near-to-long term.
- Turn ideas into working prototypes and walk with business users to conduct live testing, assessing benefits, evolve through constant feedbacks and learning.
- Use third party partners, including startups and the open source community to speed- up and complement innovation programmes and initiatives.
- Conduct hackathon sessions, to create minimum viable products and functional prototypes, accelerating the creative process and pilot implementations.
- Work with delivery teams to assimilate and institutionalise innovations into core business processes.
- Conduct studies and assess the effectiveness of changes, implementation and adoption of innovative processes in production.
Technical Skills Knowledge/Skills/ Experience Required
- Exceptional leadership skills, proven track record in building and developing high performing teams
- Proven track record in implementing large, complex, and innovative digital business solutions
- Extensive experience of digital solution technologies including Cloud, API, Apps, Analytics, Agile, DevOps, Blockchain, AI/ML etc.
- A passion for new and innovative technologies and a customer oriented and results-focused mindset with an eye for journey-based innovations
- Change oriented mindset, with the ability to create and develop digital transformation strategy
- Lead the delivery of exciting digital opportunities and Enterprise Cloud Services backed by Agile Delivery, Business Analysis, Platform Engineering and UI/UX practices to cover the end-to-end delivery of some of the most cutting edge and scalable projects delivering digital transformation.
- In-depth digital platform experience, including awareness of the latest techniques, standards and best practices.
- Proven track record of delivering complex platforms at scale in both B2B and B2C settings
- A proven track record of technology solution delivery including experience design, software development, systems integration and API enablement.
- Direct experience of the application and exploitation of Agile and DevOps delivery processes and techniques is key
- A practitioner in the practical application of Agile and Product Management
- Strong and motivational team leader, capable of enthusing and directing teams to undertake complex activities against challenging commitments
- Growth driven mentality and dynamism to expand the business within client accounts
- Excellent business acumen, understanding of business processes, business imperatives, IT strategies and service requirements of retail or similar organisations
- Pronounced strategic, analytical, and planning skills coupled with an independent, objective and process-oriented way of working
- Naturally curious, genuine affinity to innovate and drive change
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including effective leadership, collaboration, facilitation, and influencing skills
- Excellent written, verbal, communication and presentation skills with the ability to articulate new ideas and concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
What we offer
The position for the Head of Technology Innovations is based out of our head office in
Watford, Wickes supports a hybrid work model.
You will be working closely with the leadership team and will have the opportunity to advise
and shape the technology landscape of Wickes.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes
• Competitive bonus
• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.
