Vacancies
Head of Customer Insight

Head of Customer Insight

Posted:

03 Aug 2026

Hybrid (Leicester/London - United Kingdom)

Insight & Analytics

Permanent

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Overview

People love Dunelm. That statement is true for the millions of Customers, the ‘savvy home lovers’ who love the broad range of quality, value for money homewares products, the unique in-store and online experience, and Dunelm’s distinctive local feel. It is also true for the 12,000 Colleagues who benefit from an ambitious, entrepreneurial, family-oriented culture and challenger-brand mentality which combine to create an environment that is conducive to making things happen fast. And it’s also true for Investors who have seen strong and consistent returns to date and are excited by the leadership team’s calibre and vision, and the strength of Dunelm’s multi-channel offering.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Head of Customer Insight to lead the new Customer Insight function for a £2bn omnichannel retail business. Working closely with the Chief Customer Officer, and part of the Customer Leadership Team, this role will be responsible for helping the organisation better understand customer and market behaviour to support decision making. The Head of Customer Insight will lead a team of customer analysts and customer research professionals, combining quantitative and qualitative insight to identify customer needs, emerging trends, growth opportunities and risks. The role will act as the voice of the customer across the organisation, ensuring that customer understanding is embedded into strategy, proposition development, marketing, trading and customer experience decisions.

Define the Customer Insight Strategy

Define and lead the Customer Insight strategy, aligned to business priorities and customer goals
Establish the role of customer, market and behavioural insight in supporting strategic decision making
Identify the key customer, market and category questions the organisation needs to answer
Balance internal capability, external agencies and syndicated data sources to deliver actionable insight

Lead Customer Insight Programmes

Oversee research programmes across customer, brand, proposition, experience and market insight
Lead development of customer segmentation, needs-based insight and behavioural understanding
Ensure insight is translated into clear strategic recommendations and actions
Deliver insight that supports key decisions across customer, digital, marketing, commercial and stores

Lead and Develop the Customer Insight Team

Lead, coach and develop a team of customer analysts and research professionals
Build capability across customer analytics, research methodologies, storytelling and strategic thinking
Set high standards for insight quality, rigour and commercial relevance
Create a collaborative, curious and customer-obsessed team culture

Partner with Senior Stakeholders

Work closely with the Chief Customer Officer and senior leadership teams to shape strategic decisions
Act as a senior voice of the customer across the organisation
Influence decisions using evidence, insight and customer understanding
Ensure customer insight is embedded into planning, proposition development and business strategy

Combine Analytics, Research and External Insight

Bring together behavioural data, market research and external trends into a coherent view of the customer
Work closely with analytics, BI and data science teams to connect behavioural and attitudinal insight
Leverage external research agencies, panels and syndicated providers where appropriate
Ensure insight outputs are accessible, actionable and relevant for different stakeholder groups

Improve Customer Insight Ways of Working

Establish best practice for insight governance, prioritisation and delivery
Improve how insight is shared, socialised and embedded across the business
Develop consistent approaches to customer segmentation, insight frameworks and reporting
Support greater data literacy and customer-obsessed thinking across the organisation

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Tech to the future

Meet John, our Chief Tech and Innovation Officer, who shares insights into the exciting things happening in tech, why Dunelm is his happy place, and his unique route into the tech world.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Look in our toy box

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

Where you’ll
be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1AD

Get Directions

Keep on growing

Join us on the tech side and you'll have access to a huge array of learning and development opportunities, including a variety of internally created workshops and externally accredited courses. We also have a substantial tech-specific budget to fund e-Learning licenses, conference visits, resources, and qualifications, plus dedicated mentors, well-being buddies and a wide range of network groups to support you as you progress.

Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing support

Thrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your role

Our Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their career

Our INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capability

Our EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line Managers

Personal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through Thrive

Apprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)

Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your role

Coaching and mentoring opportunities to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the next

Self-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lie

Progress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming months

Career conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirations

Meet your team

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"There's a brilliant support network you can learn from here, and a great 'no fear of failure' culture."

Paulina, Principal Delivery Lead

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"Someone I knew said the people are great, and you get the chance to improve and innovate. That’s certainly been my experience."

Balaji, Platform Engineer

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"People here can challenge and push back. If you think there’s a better way of doing things, you can say so."

Bhavik, Principal Engineer

Madalyn, Senior Digital Trading Executive

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"We work in a really collaborative way and I love the buzz of the working environment."

Madalyn, Senior Digital Trading Executive

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"The experience I've gained is so diverse, and since I returned from maternity leave, my career has gone from strength to strength."

Rachel, Product Manager

Rewards you deserve

Along with competitive salaries, we offer a range of other great benefits to recognise the unique contribution you bring.

Salary Advance so you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned during the month, rather than having to wait until pay day

Instant discounts with a range of other companies to help you stretch your budget

Pension contributions to help you save for your retirement

ShareSave scheme that enables you to save monthly and buy Dunelm shares at a discounted rate, building up your investments for a rainy day

Continuous training and coaching to ensure you feel confident in your current role and ready for any new challenges

Access to wellbeing support as and when you need it, including an online GP for you and your immediate family

Colleague networks that give everyone a voice and create an environment where we all feel at home

Outstanding development opportunities and all the support you need to grow your career the way you want

33 days annual holiday plus your birthday off to celebrate, and another day when you move home, so you can get settled in

Generous discounts on all our own products, in-store and online to help you make your house a home

Cycle to work scheme to help you keep your fitness up and your travel costs down

Charity day off (paid, of course) so you can volunteer for a charity that matters to you

Free on-site parking (excluding London office) and good public transport links

How did we get here?

Today, Dunelm is a leader in the £11bn UK homewares market. With over 200 stores across the country and a successful online operation – dunelm.com – we offer over 60,000 products across a broad range of categories. But where did it all begin?

1979

Founder, Bill Adderley and his wife Jean take on a stall in Leicester Market selling curtains. Within a month, they make 600% profit.

1984

First bricks-and-mortar store founded in Churchgate, Leicester.

1988

With momentum growing, first flagship store opens in Leicester, East Street, offering warehouse facilities for expansion across the region.

1991

First superstore opens in Rotherham, offering premium brands such as Dorma, which the company goes on to acquire.

1996

Bill's son Will is appointed CEO of the company, following in his father's footsteps.

1999

Now a household name in the Midlands, Dunelm Mill opens a head office with warehouse facilities in Syston, Leicestershire.

2001

The acquisition of a small custom-made curtains business marks the start of Dunelm's made-to-measure service.

2002

A landmark year as Dunelm Mill opens its 50th store and a new central warehouse in Burton. The company goes on to open new stores at a rate of 10 each year.

2005

A fully shoppable website goes live, with a dedicated warehouse below our Radcliffe store

2006

Dunelm floated on the London Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

2010

In Liverpool, the company opens its 100th store, having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2009.

2011

To accommodate continued growth, Dunelm builds a new head office in Syston.

2013

Company rebrands from 'Dunelm Mill' to 'Dunelm' – reflecting what our customers have called us for years.

2016

Our family grew to include Worldstores.

2018

Nick Wilkinson joins the business as our new CEO.

2021

To accommodate our continued growth, Dunelm opens a fourth warehouse in Daventry.

2022

Launch of our ‘Conscious Choice’ collection – homeware that lasts longer and is made from more sustainable materials.

2024

First Central London store in Westfield.

2024

Expanded into the Republic of Ireland, acquiring Home Focus at Hickey’s.

2025

Opened our 200th store in Merthyr Tydfil.

2025

Clo Moriarty joins as CEO, taking the reins from Nick Wilkinson.

How to apply

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FAQs

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