Senior Operations Manager - Strategic Change

Entain; Leeds; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports betting and gaming company in the UK is seeking a Strategic Change Operations Manager to drive the delivery of complex change initiatives across the organisation. This pivotal role involves establishing the Strategic Change function, leading a team of Agile Project Managers, and ensuring high-quality programme delivery. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in operations management and a strong background in governance and risk management. The company offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including bonuses and healthcare support.

Benefits

Regular bonus

Healthcare support

ShareSave scheme

Development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations management within a change or transformation environment.
• Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, compliance, and risk management.
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies including Lean and Six Sigma.
• Excellent analytical skills to turn data into insights.
• Strong communication skills for influencing at senior levels.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Strategic Change function for effective delivery of change initiatives.
• Develop and maintain processes, frameworks, and standards for programme delivery.
• Work with Head of Programmes to structure and govern change initiatives.
• Line-manage a team of Agile Project Managers.
• Oversee quality assurance of programme plans and status reporting.

Skills

Operations management

Risk management

Process improvement methodologies

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Job description

Company Description

Sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment is changing, and we're leading that change. By putting people first. By placing exciting, engaging and entertaining experiences at more fingertips than ever before. We're pulling into pole position by pushing boundaries further. With innovation. With technology. But most importantly, with people like you. Because when you join Entain, it's your game. So let's win together.nbsp;

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Change Operations Manager to establish and lead our Strategic Change function, enabling the consistent and effective delivery of complex, cross-departmental change initiatives.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape how strategic change is delivered across the organisation. You will provide hands‑on operational leadership across a complex change portfolio, build a high‑performing and scalable capability, and lead a team delivering critical Product and Technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Change Function Setup & Operations

• Establish, operationalise, and continuously improve the Strategic Change function to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of complex programmes.
• Design and embed core operating rhythms, including planning cycles, governance forums, and decision‑making pathways.
• Develop and maintain processes, frameworks, templates, and standards for programme delivery, business analysis, risk management, and reporting.
• Define and track performance metrics, dashboards, and KPIs to measure portfolio and programme effectiveness.

Portfolio & Programme Support

• Work in close partnership with the Head of Programmes to ensure programmes are appropriately structured, governed, and resourced.
• Maintain a portfolio‑level view of change, tracking interdependencies, risks, issues, and progress against strategic outcomes.
• Support programme mobilisation, ensuring clear scope, roles, tooling, and governance are in place.
• Act as an escalation point for delivery challenges across Product and Technology initiatives.

Team Leadership & Line Management

• Line‑manage a team of Agile Project Managers, providing coaching, development, and performance management.
• Oversee the deployment of Project Managers into programmes based on skills, capacity, and strategic priorities.
• Establish ways of working that promote agility, collaboration, and effective cross‑team communication.
• Build and sustain a cohesive delivery community of practice with consistent standards and shared learning.

Governance, Reporting & Assurance

• Define and support governance forums, ensuring timely, accurate, and insightful reporting across the change portfolio.
• Oversee quality assurance of programme plans, RAID logs, delivery schedules, and status reporting.
• Maintain clarity of scope, outcomes, and value across initiatives through structured reporting and data‑driven insights.
• Ensure alignment with Product and Technology governance, including architecture, product strategy, finance, and risk management.

Change Enablement & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement of the Strategic Change operating model, informed by feedback, performance insights, and organisational priorities.
• Introduce enhancements to tools, templates, documentation, and reporting mechanisms.
• Foster a culture of transparency, proactive risk management, and operational excellence across change delivery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations management within a change or transformation environment.
• Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, compliance, and risk management.
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar).
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into insights.
• Strong communication skills for influencing and presenting at senior levels.
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Additional Information

At Entain, we know that signing top players requires a great starting package, and plenty of support to inspire peak performance. Join us, and a competitive salary is just the beginning.

Depending on your role and location, you can expect to receive benefits like

• A regular bonus
• Healthcare support
• A stake in our success through our ShareSave scheme
• Great development opportunities
• Wellbeing support, and so much more.

And outside of this, you'll have the chance to turn recognition from leaders and colleagues into amazing prizes, join a winning team of talented people and be a part of an inclusive and supporting community where everyone is celebrated for being themselves.

Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.

At Entain, we do what's right. It's one of our core values and that's why we're taking the lead when it comes to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive future - for our people, and the wider global sports betting and gaming sector. However you identify, our ambition is to ensure our people across the globe feel valued, respected and their individuality celebrated.

We comply with all applicable recruitment regulations and employment laws in the jurisdictions where we operate, ensuring ethical and compliant hiring practices globally.