Lead Product Manager

Lead Product Manager

Temporary 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Albert Bow

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and improve Product operations, embedding effective processes and governance.
  • Company: Global consultancy partnering with top organisations for impactful projects.
  • Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and opportunity to make a real difference.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with autonomy to drive meaningful change.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of Product operations and leave a lasting impact in just six months.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in Product Operations and process improvement.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

  • Lead Product Manager (Product Operations Focus) | 6-Month Contract | Outside IR35 |
  • (1-day per week in London)

Albert Bow are partnering with a global consultancy business that works with some of the world’s largest organisations, to appoint a Product Manager focused on Product Operations.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives on building structure, improving ways of working and helping a Product function operate more effectively.

The Role

Our client is looking for a hands-on, execution-focused Product Manager to take ownership of the operational side of the Product function.

Reporting into the Head of Product, this is a role for someone who thrives on building structure, embedding process and improving how a Product organisation works day to day - rather than owning a roadmap or setting strategy.

This is a six-month contract focused on building clarity, consistency and stronger ways of working within the Product team.

You’ll be helping define the processes, governance and tooling that allow the function to operate more effectively and support the wider business with greater confidence.

  • Contract Details
  • Role: Product Manager
  • (Product Operations Focus)
  • Contract Type: Outside IR35
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Start Date: ASAP
  • Location: Hybrid - 1 day per week in London
  • Day Rate: £500/day
  • What You'll Be Doing
  • Designing and embedding Product processes from the ground up - diagnosing where things are immature, introducing the operating model, lifecycle processes and governance that bring consistency, and getting genuine buy-in from the team rather than imposing process for process's sake.
  • Leading the implementation of a Product Discovery platform - selecting the right tooling for the context, managing roll-out and driving real user adoption across the function.
  • Establishing governance around planning, discovery, prioritisation and documentation - creating clear, repeatable frameworks that make the Product function more efficient and transparent.
  • Standardising ways of working - from discovery frameworks and prioritisation models to documentation standards and operating rhythms - and ensuring they're clearly communicated and adopted across the business.
  • Owning day-to-day Product operational activities, freeing up the Head of Product to focus on strategy and leadership.
  • Improving collaboration between Product, Engineering, Commercial and the wider business, breaking down silos and creating a more joined-up way of delivering.
  • Driving adoption of new practices, tools and ways of working, with measurable improvements that outlast the contract.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with strong Product Operations experience and a clear track record of improving Product processes, operating models and ways of working across multiple businesses or Product environments.

The right person will be able to quickly diagnose current gaps, implement better processes and tools, and leave behind a more mature Product function.

You should be

  • Hands-on and delivery-focused - comfortable rolling your sleeves up and implementing change, not just advising on it.
  • A process builder - someone who has built or rebuilt Product processes from scratch before, knows how to secure buy-in, and can point to measurable improvements as a result.
  • Experienced with Product tooling - having personally implemented or rolled out tools such as Productboard, Jira Product Discovery, Aha!, Dovetail, Jira or Confluence, with a view to selection, implementation and adoption.
  • Familiar with discovery frameworks and the governance and prioritisation processes that make a Product function run cleanly.
  • Cross-functional by nature - used to working closely with Engineering, Commercial and Operations.
  • Collaborative, pragmatic and low ego - focused on execution and outcomes over ceremony, and comfortable building structure where process isn't yet mature.
  • Ambitious, energetic and autonomous - able to operate independently while partnering closely with the Head of Product, and motivated by delivering meaningful improvements within a focused six-month window.
  • Why This Role

This is a six-month mandate with a clear, measurable purpose: raise the operational maturity of the Product function and leave it stronger than you found it.

You'll have the autonomy to shape how that happens and the opportunity to make a tangible impact by improving how the function operates and collaborates across the business.

If you would like to know more about this role, get in touch with Christian Campbell at Albert Bow for more information.

Lead Product Manager employer: Albert Bow

At Albert Bow, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their projects. Located in the vibrant Greater London area, we offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a small, high-output team. Join us to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in an innovative environment.

Albert Bow

Contact Details:

Albert Bow Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Product Manager

Connect with Product Management Communities

Dive into online communities like Product School or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. This can help you build relationships and visibility in the product management scene, plus you might hear about temp roles before they even get posted!

Attend Industry Meetups and Workshops

Check out local meetups or workshops specifically targeted at product management. These gatherings are prime spots to meet hiring managers and fellow practitioners. Plus, they often lead to connections that can help you land temporary roles.

Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio

Even if you're after a temporary gig, having a solid portfolio is key! Include case studies of past projects, highlighting your role and how you drove product success. Use platforms like Behance to display your work visually.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you spot a temp role like Lead Product Manager at Albert Bow, go straight to their website to apply. Direct applications often have a better chance of standing out since they show commitment. It's worth the extra effort, trust us!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Manager

Product Operations
Process Improvement
Governance Establishment
Tool Selection and Implementation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Product Discovery Frameworks
Standardisation of Processes

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Product Sense:In product management, we want to see your understanding of user needs and business value. When you're crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight specific products you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and how those experiences shaped your product sense. If you have insights into user journey mapping, competitive analysis, or product lifecycle, make sure to feature them!

Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Make sure your written application showcases not just your past roles, but also specific outcomes you've driven. Don't shy away from using metrics—how did your contributions impact the product or team? We love when you quantify your achievements!

Be Ready to Adapt:Temporary positions can often lead to quick changes in direction. In your cover letter, convey your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to pivot or adjust your approach to meet project goals. Talk about how you thrive in dynamic environments—it'll really resonate with us at Albert Bow!

Link to Your Portfolio:If you've worked on product roadmaps, user stories, or any visualisations, link to your portfolio in your application. Even a personal project that demonstrates your skills as a product manager can show your proactive approach. It's a great way for us to see your work in action and understand your style. And remember, apply through our website to make it easier for us to find you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Albert Bow

Show Off Your Product Knowledge

Make sure we can discuss the product lifecycle with confidence! Be ready to showcase your understanding of key concepts in product management, such as roadmap planning and user research. We want to hear about any tools you're familiar with, like JIRA or Trello, as they’re popular in this space!

Agile Mindset is Key

As a temporary role, they'll want us to hit the ground running. Brush up on Agile methodologies and be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle shifting priorities or tight deadlines. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt quickly!

Bring Your Portfolio of Projects

If you've got any product projects up your sleeve—be it case studies or live examples—bring them along! For a temporary position, they’re going to want to see tangible results from your previous work, so don't hold back on demonstrating how you've made an impact in past roles.

Communicate Clearly and Concisely

They’ll be looking to see how you articulate your ideas, so practice your pitch! Make sure we can summarise complex product requirements into clear, understandable language. Being able to express yourself well is vital in product management, especially in a temporary role where quick collaboration is essential!