Workforce Planning Lead - Reading / Paddington

Job Description

We’re seeking a strategic and analytical Workforce Planning Lead to help shape workforce effectiveness and productivity across a large‑scale Retail & Field Sales organisation.

This is a high‑impact role, responsible for developing workforce strategies that ensure we have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time—both now and in the future. You’ll work with senior leaders across Operations, Finance, HR, and Technology, providing insight that directly influences strategic and financial decisions.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategic workforce planning, forecasting, and scenario modelling
• Build short‑, medium‑, and long‑term workforce plans aligned to business strategy
• Analyse trends across headcount, attrition, productivity, demand, and capacity
• Translate insights into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders
• Support organisational change, restructures, and major transformation programmes
• Develop dashboards and reporting that bring workforce data to life
• Influence automation and technology investments that improve productivity

Who we are

At Virgin Media O₂, we connect people to the moments that matter most. Virgin Media leads the UK for broadband reliability, speed and overall performance, while O₂ keeps people connected on the move with award-winning coverage.

We’re also proud to be named one of the Financial Times Top 500 Best Employers for 2026, based on one of the UK’s largest employee satisfaction surveys.

Join us and you’ll be part of a team that stays curious, positive and focused on making life easier for our customers and each other. We’re investing in the future of connectivity, from expanding next-generation 5G to exploring satellite-supported solutions that help reach rural communities and hard-to-connect places.

You’ll work with people who back good ideas and give you plenty of room to grow. So if you’re looking for a place where you can feel supported, trusted and genuinely valued, you’ll feel right at home here.

Our ways of working

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days a month connecting with each other in person.

That doesn’t just mean time in the office – it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days. What matters is making those moments count – so when we come together, it benefits everyone.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

We believe a better tomorrow starts with the choices we make today. That means moving the dial on diversity, building equity into everything we do and putting inclusion at the heart of our business.

Virgin Media O₂ is an equal opportunities employer and we work hard to remove bias and barriers. We want every person who joins us – and everyone thinking about joining us – to feel seen, heard and supported.

When you work with us, you’ll have access to our award-winning employee network groups. These communities bring people together, champion allyship and create uplifting spaces where you can learn, share and feel part of something bigger. They play a big role in helping people feel connected from day one.

The must haves

• Strong experience in workforce planning, operational planning, or resource modelling
• Advanced analytical capability, particularly in Excel, forecasting, and data analysis
• Background in complex, large‑scale operational environments
• Ability to turn data into compelling insights and influence at senior levels
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills

The other stuff we are looking for

Why join us?

• Work at scale, influencing workforce strategy for thousands of colleagues
• Be part of a team focused on innovation, productivity, and operational excellence
• Shape future capability and ways of working in a dynamic environment

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we'd love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a telephone conversations and an interview.

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you. Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.

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