Lead Product Owner

The Vacancy

Lead Product Owner – Staffology Payroll (Automation & AI)

About the Role:

We're looking for a Lead Product Owner to drive and shape the Staffology Payroll solution, with a focus on Automation and AI. You will play a critical role in evolving our Autopilot functionality and introducing new AI-driven features to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance in payroll processes.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing, customer-centric business, work on cutting-edge payroll technology, and contribute to the broader Staffology Payroll & Bureau solutions while influencing adoption across customers and colleagues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate high-level product vision into detailed requirements, engaging stakeholders across the business.
• Enhance the platform to drive efficiency, accuracy, and compliance via automated and AI-enabled processes.
• Formulate and maintain a clear backlog with prioritised features sequenced for efficient delivery.
• Ensure Bugs, Stories, Features, and EPICs are accurately documented in Azure DevOps (ADO) for rapid sprint execution.
• Co-create acceptance criteria with engineering and QA teams to ensure development meets business needs.
• Partner with Content Designers to create guidance that drives awareness and adoption of new features.
• Drive adoption of Staffology Payroll and Staffology Bureau to maximise retention, NPS, and operational efficiency.
• Act as an external advocate for payroll software within IRIS and in the marketplace via marketing and social media.
• Collaborate closely with Product and Operational Directors to shape and deliver the total Managed Services offering.
• Engage with customers and colleagues to understand short-term needs and long-term aspirations, informing product, service, and technology roadmaps.
• Monitor the market and competitors, recommending enhancements to give payroll solutions a competitive edge.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders across sales, marketing, support, legal, compliance, professional services, and engineering.
• Maintain a regular pulse on customer feedback via shadowing sales calls, user groups, and insight surveys.
• Support sales enablement efforts and participate in high-value commercial presentations.
• Assist Product Managers in maintaining contractual and commercial documentation for managed services offerings.
• Communicate new product or service features to prospects and customers prior to release.

What We're Looking For:

• 5–10 years' experience as a Product Owner or Product Manager delivering engaging online software products or 5+ years' experience in payroll software support, payroll service delivery, or payroll operations.
• Strong background in product ownership, delivery, or support within payroll, with the ability to work within a wider product team to ensure compliance and alignment with business strategy.
• Deep understanding of UK payroll and HR compliance, working conditions, and regulatory obligations.
• Demonstrable experience or strong interest in process automation and efficiency improvements (workflow automation, AI/ML, integrations, etc.).
• Ability to identify automation opportunities through analysis of customer pain points, operational bottlenecks, and repetitive processes.
• Understanding of AI/ML applications in payroll, HR, finance, or regulated industries (e.g., anomaly detection, predictive analytics, intelligent document processing, compliance checking).
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience working across operations, commercial, marketing, product, professional services, and board-level teams.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess market trends and inform product strategy.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.