At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development for innovative English language learning solutions in schools and higher education.
- Company: Dynamic EdTech company focused on enhancing language learning experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team driving innovation in language learning and assessment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education with cutting-edge products that make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management within education or EdTech, strong communication skills.
The Product Manager for Schools is responsible for the planning, development, and lifecycle management of a product or product area within the integrated English language learning and assessment portfolio. Across non-digital and digital platforms, the Product Manager will deliver the desired customer outcomes for the For Schools / For Higher Education portfolio. This includes understanding market needs, defining product requirements, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, and driving product success from conception to delivery in alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
This role is part of a product team that is accountable for the design, development, and performance management of the digital and analogue products that enable the For Schools, Higher Education, and Work propositions. Reporting into the Portfolio Lead, they ensure the right product quality and innovation to support the strategic direction set by the Proposition Directors. The product team ensures products are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with technology, delivery, and customer needs.
Main Accountabilities
- Product Strategy & Planning
- Develop and own specific products or product areas in the portfolio for integrated English language learning and assessment offerings for the Schools / Higher Education Proposition.
- Work with product marketing colleagues to conduct market and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and inform product strategy.
- Align product development with curriculum standards, exam board requirements, and evolving pedagogical and technological trends in English language learning and assessment.
- Product Development & Lifecycle Management
- Define clear product requirements and specifications in collaboration with Portfolio leads, Proposition team, learning and assessment design, UX/UI, technology, and content teams.
- Oversee product development from concept through launch, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery and efficient use of available budgets.
- Manage print and digital product lifecycle: from launch, growth, and maturity to eventual retirement.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with internal teams including Marketing, Sales, Academic, and Customer Management to ensure product‑market fit and successful go‑to‑market execution.
- Build and maintain relationships with external partners, subject matter experts, institutions, teachers, and academic colleagues.
- Commercial Performance
- Monitor and report on product performance using qualitative and quantitative metrics.
- Use customer insights, feedback, and usage data to optimize existing products and inform future iterations.
- Support pricing, positioning, and promotional strategies in collaboration with Marketing and Sales.
- Ensure developments offer appropriate ROI and are managed to budget.
- Innovation & Digital Transformation
- Identify and implement opportunities to enhance digital learning experiences, including interactivity, personalization, and analytics.
- Stay up to date with trends in EdTech, language learning, assessment technology, and digital publishing.
Role Specific Knowledge and Experience
Minimum / Essential Requirements
- Proven experience as a Product Manager or in a related product development role within education publishing, EdTech, or ELT.
- Strong understanding of English language teaching and assessment methodologies.
- Experience managing both print and digital product development.
- Excellent project management skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and customer feedback to guide decisions.
- Full‑time residency in the UK or Poland with unlimited right to work.
Desirable
- Familiarity with adaptive learning technologies, AI, LMS/VLE platforms, and digital assessment tools.
- Experience working in Agile or hybrid product development environments.
- CELTA/DELTA qualification or equivalent knowledge of ELT pedagogy.
- International market experience, particularly in high‑growth education regions (e.g. APAC, MEA, EURAM).
- Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies.
- Experience using frameworks to develop value propositions.
Language Requirements
Written and verbal fluency in English.
Pay
Pay band: 8
Annual salary range: PLN 192,000 – 252,000 (Poland); £38,000 – £46,000 (UK)
Product Manager Schools employer: British Council
As a Product Manager for Schools, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises employee growth and collaboration. Our company fosters a culture of continuous learning and development, offering unique opportunities to shape the future of English language education while working alongside passionate professionals in the UK or Poland. With a commitment to work-life balance and a focus on meaningful contributions, we ensure that our employees feel valued and empowered to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager Schools
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like British Council!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at British Council would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at British Council through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager Schools
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Manager Schools, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Manager Schools position at British Council. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Council
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
