Work-life balance secrets: 'Doing a senior role in reduced hours can be challenging - but it can work'

Each week, Telegraph Women will be profiling a 'power part-timer': someone who has ditched the nine to five and works flexibly.

This week, meet Julia Reeves, 38 from Bishop Stortford, who is Business Change Programme Director at Dixons Carphone.

About me

I am married to Simon and have two children, six year old Eva and Charlie, who is two. When not in work, you'll find me either out competing on the netball court or, having recently reignited my childhood love for mud and water, training and participating in adventure racing as part of a team, involving between 3-13 miles of running, obstacles and things sent to test you physically and mentally.

Tell us about your career

Having started my working life at 16, part-time on a checkout in Tesco, I got the retailing bug and proceeded to spend 18 years of my career in the business. I grew up in shops, progressing through the ranks to the point where I was managing £150m pa, Tesco Extra stores with 400 plus colleagues in and around North London. It was here that I experienced some of my toughest leadership challenges to date in terms of both people and managing the P&L in very fast-paced, complex environment and that I discovered my passion for people which remains at the heart of what I enjoy. 

Born out of an initial frustration with how the business was implementing change into stores for customers and colleagues, I decided to step into the Head Office world to take up a Central Operations role working directly for the Retail MD. 

During this time and the subsequent five years, I worked and led business change programmes centred on transforming service, culture and colleagues in the stores. This was important to me as, having been frustrated with how Change was being implemented in stores, I was now in a position to really influence the way I believed it should be done. 

I have spent the last 10 years in the Business Change arena – joining Dixons Carphone in 2015; learning the trade and leading and delivering large scale, cross-functional business change programmes. 

Describe your current role

As Programme Director in Business Change at Dixons Carphone, I am accountable for leading the in-year objectives, cultural change and benefits realisation of the UK & Ireland business change agenda in line with the business strategy. I ensure the application of ‘best in class’ project, programme and change management and effective governance with the Executive sponsors and Business owners. 

What made you want to work part-time?

I wanted to reset my work-life balance: not just after having the first of my two children, but also to take some ‘me-time’, with a focus on fitness and occasional volunteering for sporting bodies.

Was there a ‘final straw’ that convinced you to go for it?

There are always moments of self-doubt and questioning of how people will perceive my commitment and drive if I work part-time. I think there comes a point when you decide to own it and the choice you have made and be confident that you can deliver your role in a reduced hours week. In my experience, once you commit 100% to work, regardless of the hours you work, people accept that and are respectful of it and it really makes no difference. 

How did you ask?

I joined Dixons Carphone working part-time and was fully supported in my request from very early discussions about becoming part of the team right up until the present day. One of my drivers for choosing this business was due to the culture and the way the company embraced part-time and flexible working. 

Was it an easy sell?

All of them were very supportive. There will always be people who doubt you can do it, but you must let your results and delivery speak for themselves. 

What has been the biggest challenge?

I am doing a senior role in reduced hours and this can be challenging and, at times, it’s very difficult to manage to maintain the balance if you’re driven to do the best you can. I like to describe my working set up as ‘not getting paid for Fridays’ as opposed to working four days so I have to set myself boundaries to protect my time off. 

How do you tackle such challenges?

I have to remain flexible and realistic about the nature of the business and environment I work in but equally, ensure I have those boundaries for myself. I have to operate by precision planning a very full diary to manage ‘life’ and have an incredibly understanding, patient and flexible husband! I also think it is good for my team as they have to step up to take additional responsibility, or take decisions, whilst I am not around. I hope I’m also a role model for others who would like to progress with their careers while working on a part-time basis. 

What helps you stay motivated?

I’m driven to do and be the very best that I can be whether that’s at work, for my team or at home with friends and family. 

What’s the best thing about working part-time?

The quality time I get with the children and getting to be ‘mummy’ for an additional day during the week which is priceless.

What advice would you give anyone else who wants to work flexibly?

I would say go for it! It’s not just about it being a mummy thing, it’s a life thing. Whatever the reason you want to work flexibly, the important thing is that it’s what you want to do to enable you to be at your best. Equally, you need to find the right organisation or environment to do it in so that it has the positive effect you are seeking. That might mean you have to change where or what you are doing but it will be worth it.

How I do it:

My greatest fear is…not being good enough and failing at the things I’m trying to achieve                              

The bravest thing I’ve done is…leaving Uni after just a week! 

I would tell my teenage self…don’t do the things that you think people want you to do, do the things you really want to do

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is….to work hard, do a good job and trust the people around me to see it and reward it.                                                                                            

My top business tool or resource is…my team   

My favourite business quote…if you always ask the same question in the same way, you’ll always get the same answer           

Timewise has opened nominations for the 2019 Timewise Power 50 list, supported by EY, Dixons Carphone, Lloyds Banking Group & Diageo. These awards celebrate individuals and businesses who achieve incredible things through flexible and part-time working. It is free to enter and the winners will be published by the Telegraph early next year. Make your nomination at Timewise.co.uk/Power-50