At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative digital products and enhance user experiences.
- Company: Join the British Council, a global leader in English education and exams.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven organisation that values inclusivity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on English learning worldwide while working with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and agile methodologies is essential.
Location: UK or Poland (residents only – relocation and sponsorship not provided)
Role purpose
The Product Owner will manage global English system(s) and capabilities from an end-to-end life-cycle perspective and support the continuous improvement of such digital assets. They will keep people informed about the development of the product and promote its uptake, represent users throughout the delivery process and use their feedback to inform continuous improvement, ensuring the primacy of the customer in all decision making.
Role context
E&E is a commercially run business with an income of over £700 million per annum generating financial surpluses that are critical to the overall financial sustainability of the British Council. Our work in English teaching generates annual revenues of nearly £200m annually, with activities spanning a global network of 80 English teaching centres in 50 countries, teaching 400,000 students each year, as well as an emerging portfolio of online products and services already reaching over 120 million English learners and teachers annually. Our work in examinations generates annual revenues of nearly £500m and spans English proficiency testing, including the world’s leading English test IELTS (run in partnership with Cambridge Assessment English and IDP) which is now taken by 3 million candidates worldwide each year, as well as the British Council’s own Aptis test, and a wide range of UK school, professional and other qualifications.
Main accountabilities
- Product/service development & delivery
- Manages the procurement / development, configuration, quality assurance and ongoing maintenance and support of new and legacy systems / platforms.
- Works to reduce any duplication or replication of capabilities across the product portfolio to ensure the most effective use of British Council funds.
- Owns the Product Backlog and ensures this is prioritised in line with business objectives.
- Ensures that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.
- Supports the roll-out of new products at a global / regional / country level, provides advice and support on necessary modifications if required.
- Takes overall responsibility for quality assurance of the content delivered through the systems in consultation with the content development teams, other technical teams and marketing and business development professionals and other stakeholders.
- Ensures platform content adheres to brand guidelines and the interface is user friendly and designed to meet the requirements of the British Council.
- Maintains platform availability and functionality to comply with the limits set out in the service level agreement with external clients.
- Consultancy, analysis & problem-solving
- Applies advanced knowledge and technical expertise to solve a range of complex business issues stemming from technical platforms, using specialist knowledge and techniques.
- Contributes to the design and development of technical projects to support platform development.
- Provides specialist technical support and advice to stakeholders.
- Relationship & stakeholder management
- Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure effective, integrated and joined-up delivery of project and platform related goals in a complex matrix environment.
- Provides appropriate data to internal teams such as Proposition, Marketing, or Customer Management.
- Develops business relationships with a range of external consultants, technical innovators and suppliers for the procurement of new solutions and the implementation of new technologies as appropriate.
- Advises business development managers on technical solutions, ensuring that proposals meet the needs of the business.
- Provides input into business cases on the suitability and cost of proposed solutions.
- Develops peer/personal networks within and outside the BC to enhance own knowledge and expertise.
- Financial management
- Uses agreed corporate systems and processes, to actively contribute to the planning and management of the core budget for the platform(s) and for any special initiatives or change projects for which they are responsible.
- Contributes to the monthly and year-end reporting on income, expenditure and risk, and actively applies learning from this process to improve financial planning, management and performance within online learning.
- Leadership & management
- Plans and prioritises own work activities to ensure effective delivery of diverse responsibilities and deliverables over a quarterly to annual time horizon.
- Line management responsibility as appropriate.
- Determines work plans and coordinates input from others to meet specific objectives on time and within budget.
- As an experienced professional, contributes ideas to support the development of discipline-wide and customer/platform specific business plans and priorities.
Language Requirements
Written and verbal fluency in English.
Certification and Professional Qualifications
Agile project management qualification preferred, ITIL Certification Desirable.
Education
First degree or equivalent qualification/experience.
Role specific knowledge and experience
Minimum / essential requirements:
- Track record of successfully creating, launching and scaling digital product development programmes for B2C and B2B markets.
- Demonstrable experience of managing products through agile processes, and writing / working with user stories.
- Full time residency in the UK or Poland with unlimited right to work.
Desirable:
- Experience of achieving business results through a globally dispersed team in a matrix environment.
British Council values and behaviours
British Council values and behaviours are applicable across our organisation, in all roles and at all levels. They are important because they say what we stand for at the British Council and help us to deliver our strategy. We use them to guide our decision making, as well as guiding how we treat one another and the people we work with. These will be assessed in the selection process. Our values are: Open and Committed; Expert and Inclusive; Optimistic and Bold.
Unit: English & Exams / Product / Delivery and Governance
Work style: hybrid
Pay band: 8
Annual salary range: PLN 192,000 - 252,000 (Poland) £38,000 - £46,000 (UK)
Product Owner employer: British Council
The British Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development within a globally recognised organisation, all while contributing to meaningful educational initiatives that impact millions worldwide. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance in both the UK and Poland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner
✨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 Owner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Owner, 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 Owner 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.
