Head of Projects and Transformation

Wine & Spirit Education Trust; London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading organization in the wine and spirit education sector as the Head of Projects and Transformation. In this pivotal role, you will drive enterprise-level change and lead cross-functional teams in delivering high-impact projects. Your expertise in project management and digital transformation will be essential in shaping the future of the organization. With competitive benefits and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, this role is perfect for dynamic leaders seeking to innovate in a global context.

Benefits

27 days annual leave + public holidays

Health insurance

Pension options

Access to virtual GP appointments

Cycle2Work scheme

Discretionary bonus

Qualifications

• Experience in leading enterprise-level change.
• A diverse skill set for navigating organizational change.
• Exceptional change management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of high-priority projects.
• Spearhead digital transformation efforts aligned with strategic goals.
• Define KPIs and establish structured reporting frameworks.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Change Management

Digital Transformation

Agile Environment

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Projects and Transformation role at Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Join to apply for the Head of Projects and Transformation role at Wine & Spirit Education Trust

WSET's purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines, spirits and sake.

We are the world’s leading provider of qualifications in wines, spirits, beer and sake, delivering over 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

WSET is a global organisation and we are proud to have people who work for us all over the world. We have people in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA as well as the UK.

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity, empowerment, dynamism, and inclusivity within WSET.

WSET fosters a welcoming, empathetic and inspiring culture that empowers our global talent to innovate and thrive.

Are you inspired by the potential of digital transformation? Do you thrive in agile environments, enjoy solving complex challenges, or have a passion for smart systems — maybe even some programming on the side? If you see change as an opportunity to innovate and lead, then this could be your next big move.

Join WSET as we embark on an organisation-wide transformation journey. We’re looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Head of Transformation to join our senior leadership team. This newly created role will be a key senior leader in business transformation, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of WSET.

As Head of Projects and Transformation, you will lead from the front — driving enterprise-level change, delivering high-impact projects, and embedding sustainable transformation. You will lead cross-functional teams, oversee complex project lifecycles, and implement initiatives that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation at every level of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple high-priority projects or programmes, ensuring they meet timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Develop detailed project plans outlining scope, objectives, schedules, resource requirements, budget forecasting, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with teams across the business to build robust business cases that deliver measurable benefits to WSET.
• Assign tasks, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure seamless communication and collaboration throughout project lifecycles.
• Monitor progress, identify risks or issues, and implement timely corrective actions to keep projects on track.
  
  

Transformation Initiatives

• Spearhead digital transformation efforts aligned with WSET’s strategic goals — including but not limited to CRM, web/portal development, and process digitisation.
• Contribute to strategic planning by maintaining a multi-year transformation portfolio that aligns programmes and projects to business priorities.
• Assess current systems, processes, and practices to uncover opportunities for innovation and optimisation.
• Develop and execute change management strategies to ensure staff engagement, readiness, and smooth adoption of new ways of working.
• Build strong partnerships with department heads, project sponsors, and key stakeholders to ensure alignment and support.
• Clearly communicate project goals, milestones, and outcomes to ensure stakeholder alignment and expectation management.
  
  

Resource Management

• Allocate and optimise resources — including personnel, technology, and budgets — to support the successful delivery of projects and initiatives.
• Identify resource gaps or constraints early and collaborate with stakeholders to resolve them.
• Drive productivity and ensure efficient resource utilisation across multiple concurrent projects.
  
  

Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Define KPIs and success metrics to track project performance and transformational outcomes.
• Establish structured reporting frameworks to monitor progress, surface insights, and drive accountability.
• Provide regular updates and data-driven recommendations to senior leadership, drawing on lessons learned to shape future initiatives.
  
  

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide clear leadership and direction for the Project Management function across WSET — from large-scale programmes to smaller process improvements.
• Shape and articulate a compelling vision for digital transformation that aligns with WSET’s long-term strategy and market positioning.
• Design and execute digital strategies that leverage emerging technologies, platforms, and data insights to elevate operations and customer experience.
• Lead large-scale IT and digital initiatives from planning through delivery, ensuring they meet business needs, stay on schedule, and deliver value.
• Partner closely with teams across marketing, operations, finance, and customer service to integrate digital transformation into broader business goals.
• Continually monitor and evaluate the impact of transformation efforts, refining approaches and driving continuous improvement.
  
  

Person specification

• Pragmatic and adaptable – able to blend Project Management theory to real world scenarios to improve organisational capability
• A diverse and robust skill set to navigate the complex landscape of organisational change and digital innovation effectively.
• Exceptional change management skills are paramount, as they need to motivate and inspire teams to not only accept but actively embrace transformation, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.
• Crafting and executing digital strategies that encompass emerging technologies, data-driven insights, and digital platforms is a core responsibility.
• Be proficient in optimising technology systems, and processes, ensuring they are not only efficient but also scalable, agile, and fortified with robust cybersecurity measures.
  
  

UK Benefits

Annual Leave - 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days

Pension (Generous options available after three months)

Health insurance (after three months):

Vitality scheme - post probation - Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms, Smoking Cessation day worth £300 and half price health screens

Eye voucher scheme

Food and drink in the office

Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups

Season ticket & gym membership loan scheme

Group income protection scheme

EAP

24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors

Death in service

4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family

Enhanced family friendly leave and pay

Celebration vouchers

Cycle2Work scheme

Discretionary bonus

Development - WSET's in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits, Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities

DISCLAIMER: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned, at any time.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Higher Education

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