Digital Product Director

Digital Product Director

Position: Digital Product Director

Location: United Kingdom (Flexible/Remote options available)

Sector: Private Organisation with Public Sector Contracts

Type: Full-time

Reports to: Business Director

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and innovative Digital Product Director to lead our product development efforts in our digital services for one of our most significant clients. This role involves working closely with our client to deliver cutting-edge digital solutions that meet their needs and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product management, user-centred design, technical expertise, and experience working with cloud services, data, and AI. They will also be familiar with the Government’s Technology Code of Practice and Service Design Manual.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy and Vision:

• Define and execute a clear product strategy, in collaboration with team members, that aligns with the company’s goals and public sector requirements, emphasising a user-centred approach and agile practices.
• Stay informed about market trends, emerging technologies, and the competitive landscape to inform product strategy.

Product Development and Management:

• Work collaboratively with the Solutions Architect, Service Design Lead, and Product Owner to lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle from ideation to launch and beyond.
• Create and manage a product roadmap.
• Lead the delivery of digital products and projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget, while managing and mitigating technical debt.
• Monitor product performance post-launch, analyse user feedback and performance metrics, and drive data-driven decisions for product improvements.
• Plan and execute product launches, working with marketing and sales teams to develop effective go-to-market strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, operations, sales, and marketing, to deliver high-quality digital products.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and relevant experts to gather and prioritise product requirements, ensuring they are clear, feasible, and aligned with both business objectives and user needs.

Client Engagement and Stakeholder Management:

• Engage with public sector clients to understand their needs, gather feedback, and ensure product offerings meet their expectations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and engagement.
• Present product updates, roadmaps, and strategic initiatives to clients and senior management.

Technical Leadership:

• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams in Agile methodologies, ensuring iterative development, continuous improvement, and rapid delivery of high-quality digital products.
• Advocate for and implement UCD principles throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring that user needs and feedback are central to design and development decisions.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to the product development teams. Ensure that technical solutions align with the product vision and business goals, leveraging the latest technologies and aligning with the Government Services Design Manual and the Government Technology Code of Practice.
• Stay updated on the latest technologies and best practices to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Work with the Solutions Architect to ensure the technical feasibility of product features and enhancements.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Reporting to the Business Director, this role will be responsible for two direct reports, including the Product Owner (PO) and Head of Service Development and Design with their research team.
• Work in close collaboration with the Account Director and their team to ensure alignment on client needs, account strategies, and project deliverables.
• Mentor and support the professional growth of direct reports and their teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture, continuous improvement, and excellence. This includes setting clear objectives, monitoring performance, and providing regular feedback.
• Foster strong collaboration between product management, engineering, design, and other relevant teams. Ensure that technical and design considerations are balanced with business objectives and user needs.
• Encourage innovation and creative problem-solving within the team. Support the exploration of new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance product development and delivery.

Financial Management:

• Manage product budgets, ensuring projects are delivered within scope and budget.
• Prepare and present financial forecasts, reports, and analysis to senior management.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks associated with product development and delivery.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure products comply with the Government’s Technology Code of Practice and conform to the Government Digital Service Design Manual and any relevant regulations and standards.
• Identify and manage risks associated with product development and deployment.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Business, Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, or a similar but related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in digital product management, with a strong understanding of Agile methodologies and User-Centred Design (UCD) principles.
• Evidence of leading major service transformation and a proven track record of leading successful and innovative digital product initiatives that meet or exceed user experience, preferably with public sector contracts.
• Experience working with government agencies or public sector organisations in the UK is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of digital technologies and product development methodologies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Financial acumen and experience managing product budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to translate market data, customer feedback, and performance metrics into actionable insights.
• Technical proficiency and the ability to guide technical discussions and decisions.
• Ability to balance and prioritise competing demands, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Environment: Work with a team of passionate professionals dedicated to driving innovation in digital services.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful projects that enhance public services and improve society.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a growing company.
• Flexible Working: Benefit from flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience relevant to the role. Applications can be sent to daniel.kingsley@williamslea.com​ with the subject line "Digital Product Director Application."

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We look forward to hearing from you