People & Culture Operational Project Specialist

Primark Stores Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company based in Reading is seeking an Operational Project Specialist to define project scopes, manage timelines, and support HR initiatives. This role emphasizes collaboration and organizational excellence, ideal for candidates with advanced project management skills. Responsibilities include project planning, risk mitigation, and effective stakeholder communication. The company offers a supportive environment promoting inclusion and personal growth, along with a thorough benefits package including healthcare and bonuses.

Benefits

Healthcare

Pension

Potential bonus

27 days of leave

Subsidised cafeteria

Tax Saver Tickets

Fitness centre

Qualifications

• Demonstrated organizational and administrative excellence with strong attention to detail.
• Skilled communicator with interpersonal abilities to influence and ensure deadlines are met.
• Proficient in analyzing project data, identifying insights, and recommending actionable findings.
• Experienced in managing multiple priorities under pressure while maintaining quality outcomes.
• Previous project management experience, ideally within HR, with knowledge of methodologies and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic project scope, priorities, objectives, and budgeting.
• Provide guidance and decision-making support to Project Leads.
• Drive effective collaboration and governance across teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain robust project plans, reporting mechanisms, and documentation.
• Identify and mitigate risks, resolve operational issues, and implement solutions.

Skills

Organizational excellence

Communication skills

Data analysis

Prioritization under pressure

Technical proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint

Tools

Planview

SmartSheets

Job description

People & Culture Operational Project Specialist

Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way.

People & Culture at Primark

Our team has created a workplace of inspiration and growth. Be a part of building an inclusive and empowering culture, where all colleague’s unique abilities are recognised and celebrated. Collaborate with a team committed to the wellbeing of our workforce and define what it means to work at Primark.

What You’ll Get

The work you do shapes the impact we have. We’re focused on providing you with the culture to reach your potential. Your wellbeing is our top priority.

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.

What You’ll Do as an Operational Project Specialist

We want you to feel challenged and inspired. Here, you’ll develop your skills across a range of responsibilities:

• Define strategic project scope, priorities, objectives, benefits, case for change, and budgeting in collaboration with the Project Lead and stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and decision‑making support to Project Leads, ensuring alignment with functional operations plans and project goals.
• Drive effective collaboration and governance across teams and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to deliver on time, within scope, and budget.
• Develop and maintain robust project plans, reporting mechanisms, and documentation; manage changes to scope, timelines, and budgets.
• Identify and mitigate risks, troubleshoot challenges, resolve operational issues, and implement practical solutions to ensure continuity and efficiency.
• Act as a key resource by applying technical expertise, fostering alignment, creating communication channels, and promoting continuous improvement across projects.

What You’ll Bring

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

• Demonstrated organizational and administrative excellence with strong attention to detail.
• Skilled communicator with interpersonal abilities to influence and ensure deadlines are met.
• Proficient in analysing project data, identifying insights, and recommending actionable findings.
• Experienced in managing multiple priorities under pressure while maintaining quality outcomes.
• Advanced technical proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint (including storytelling), and project management tools (e.g., Planview, SmartSheets).
• Previous project management experience, ideally within HR, with knowledge of methodologies and best practices.

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.

About Primark

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we’re Caring and always strive to put people first. We’re also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.

Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].