Head of People Operations Excellence at Specsavers

Location: This hybrid role requires 3 days on-site at our Burnaby, BC office and 2 days remote per week.

Welcome to Specsavers – where we’re not just about eyewear and eyecare, but about changing lives through better sight. Ranked the 11th Best Workplace in Canada and 12th globally by Great Place to Work, we’re proud of our optometrist-owned model that delivers high-quality, accessible eyecare for every budget.

Founded 40 years ago in the UK by visionary optometrists Doug and Mary Perkins, Specsavers has remained privately owned since day one. Today, we are a $7.8 billion global business with over 45,000 colleagues across more than 2,700 retail optical locations.

In Canada, our support office is based in Burnaby, BC. Since entering the market in 2021, we’ve been scaling rapidly, now with over 200 locations nationwide. With advanced clinical equipment and a wide range of affordable, high-quality eyewear, we’re transforming the way Canadians experience eyecare.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a values-driven organization, join us as we continue to grow. Together, we can change lives through better sight.

What You’ll Do

We are on an exciting journey of transformation – introducing new tools, processes & system optimizations across P&O that will deliver best in class, business driven operational people practices. This encompasses everything from leveraging data and insights and ensuring seamless payroll and reward practices to strengthening our core operations, with compliance as a cornerstone. To support our ongoing growth ambitions, this role will optimize our processes and systems to gain efficiency and provide a seamless employee experience in the moments that matter to all of our colleagues across Canada.

Reporting to the People Director, this role requires a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for development, implementing and overseeing our HR shared services programs and optimizing our operational processes. This role ensures all HR policies and practices align with legal requirements and company standards, while driving efficiency and positive employee experience from onboarding to offboarding through our systems.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Working with the People Director to ensure the creation and implementation of a People Plan in Canada in line with the Canada and Global business plan and the Global People Plan.
• Contribute to strategic P&O initiatives and projects, bringing an operational and compliance lens
• Collaborate with other P&O functional leaders to ensure cohesive HR Operations strategies and seamless execution
• Work with Global Centres of Expertise (Total Rewards, People Data and Systems) to collaborate on global initiatives that will be delivered locally
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service within the P&O operations function
• In partnership with People Director and Global, develop people operations and systems roadmap to support long term growth initiatives and technology advancement
• Offer leadership support while delivering project and change management when implementing people change across the region
• Build a high performing team that contributes to organizational success by providing leadership and coaching to team and ensure that plan is clearly communicated and cascaded to individual level

Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust HR compliance programs, policies, and procedures in alignment with all local employment laws and regulations.
• Partner with Legal in proactively monitoring changes in employment law and regulations, assessing their impact on HR practices and recommending necessary adjustments
• Working with Global OH&S team, ensure Health & Safety strategies are implemented across Support Office and all stores
• Lead and respond to internal and external audits

Rewards and Compensation

• Working closely with Payroll and Benefits Manager, provide guidance and leadership to payroll team to ensure accurate and timely processing of all payroll activities in accordance with Canadian legislation and internal policies.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to payroll team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Drive efficiencies within payroll process by understanding root cause issues and working with relevant stakeholders to implement changes
• Manage relationship with Benefits Broker and overall benefits strategy for Canada
• Working with the People Director, Group Reward and Head of HR Business Partnering to ensure consistency of the Reward Agenda (Comp & Ben) in the Region following the Canada and Global plan and policies and deliver on the salary and bonus-process.

People Systems and Data

• Working with the Group People Systems and Data to secure a compliant and relevant approach in how we work across the region within those areas and making sure we optimise our use of the available people data. Follow the global development and adapt accordingly in Canada when necessary.
• Ensure that our systems are optimized and manage the implementation of all new systems and changes in Canada
• Leverage people analytics to improve data driven decision making and ensure data integrity.
• Ensures HR, Support Office Recruitment and People Manager processes in Canada support office are compliant with all legislation

What We’re Looking For

• Strong background in HR operations, including experience within a complex matrix organization
• Proven experience leading teams and managers
• Expertise in reward and benefits structures and related processes
• Knowledge of payroll operations, with the ability to advise on operational excellence, systems, and standardization across the region
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, from planning and execution to monitoring and completion, often involving cross-functional teams, global stakeholders, and external vendors
• Demonstrated success in optimizing data and operational standards
• Track record of delivering people data and analytics, supported by strong Excel skills
• Familiarity with SuccessFactors (an asset)
• Experience linking business strategy with people engagement measures
• Extensive experience managing and reviewing salary and bonus processes
• Ability to translate complex people data into actionable insights for decision-making
• Proven ability to analyze operational processes, identify efficiencies, and design/implement improved or automated solutions to enhance speed, accuracy, and scalability
• Understanding of how effective People Operations creates business value
• Self-driven with a strong ability to deliver results independently
• Meticulous and highly accurate, especially when handling legal requirements, data integrity, and financial implications
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to work under tight deadlines and manage/deploy complex projects
• Ability to prioritize and adapt global initiatives to local contexts

Compensation: $145,000 – $165,000 base salary, plus quarterly bonus, profit sharing, and benefits. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience

Speccies’ Benefits

• 4 weeks of vacation and 1 paid volunteer day
• 1 extra paid day off and an eyecare voucher on your birthday
• RRSP matching
• Quarterly performance bonus
• Profit sharing program
• Healthcare spending account
• Health and dental benefits effective on your first day
• Team and company social events

Behaviours We Value

• Collaborative: We work together as one Specsavers to deliver our purpose
• Curious: We question, explore, and seek out diverse perspectives to develop our knowledge and understanding
• Courageous: We challenge the status quo, we experiment with good ideas, and we are brave, bold, and fast in our decision making
• Compassionate: We care, support, and help each other
• Commercial: We treat money wisely and make decisions that are good for our customers, our partners, our people, and good for the long term

We hope that in applying with us, you value these things as well!

Our Hybrid Work Model

Experience the best of both worlds. At Specsavers, we embrace a hybrid approach that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility to work from home. We come together in office three days a week to connect, innovate, and keep our culture thriving.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Specsavers, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that a diverse team enriches our work environment and enables us to achieve our goals. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. If you believe you can contribute to our mission and vision, we welcome your application, even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. We value the unique skills and perspectives each individual brings to our team.

Accessibility and Accommodations

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know by contacting us at [email protected] . We will work with you to meet your needs and ensure a fair and equitable experience.