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- Tasks: Lead strategic change and continuous improvement in product delivery within a dynamic value stream.
- Company: Join Canada Life UK, a modern and agile organisation focused on building better futures.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, private medical insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping customer-focused strategies and driving innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and strong stakeholder management skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available to support your work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation. Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues. Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.
Job Purpose
The Value Stream Lead is responsible for leading the shaping, planning & delivery (strategic / complex change & continuous improvement of products) within a designated value stream over a rolling 18 - 24-month roadmap. This role is pivotal in translating business strategy into actionable delivery plans, requires excellent problem-solving capability, strategic storytelling and the ability to manage multiple complex deliveries in parallel. Operating at the intersection of business, technology and change, the Value Stream Lead acts as a key liaison with the Exec Sponsor & their leadership team to drive the vision, strategy, and outcomes whilst championing user needs. They are responsible for a multi-disciplined value stream aligned delivery team and ensuring that product roadmaps and delivery priorities are aligned with strategic objectives and that all parties are kept informed of progress, risks, and opportunities. This role ensures that delivery outcomes are validated and effectively shaped to deliver maximum value, aligning with organisational strategy and agile principles.
Key Duties
- Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy aligned to value stream objectives, key results and customer needs.
- Own and manage the value streams rolling roadmap, prioritising outcomes based on alignment to OKRs, value, risk, and feedback.
- Build strong senior relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment and managing expectations.
- Lead & oversee change delivery to deliver product increments, remove impediments, and ensure high-quality outcomes.
- Define and track key metrics aligned to the Value Stream OKRs, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
- Identify, assess, and manage risks and issues impacting delivery.
- Support and develop value stream team members.
- Lead & communicate Value Stream updates to stakeholders and users.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Deep expertise in product management within a digital environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, particularly at senior leadership level.
- Proven ability to prioritise and sequence complex portfolios of work to deliver business value and deliver complex outcomes that meet strategic ambition.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
- Experience working in Agile and/or stream-aligned team structures.
- Experience collaborating with business change management functions to ensure successful adoption of new products and processes.
- Customer focussed and commercial aware.
Desirable:
- Experience in financial services or regulated environments.
- Familiarity with Team Topologies or similar organisational models.
Qualifications
- Project Management/Product Management/Agile Management Qualifications.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in Project Management (Desirable).
Benefits of working at Canada Life
We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.
How we work at Canada Life
Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward. We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That’s why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.
Diversity and inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus. At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all.
We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.
Value Stream Lead in Watford employer: Canada Life UK
Contact Detail:
Canada Life UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Value Stream Lead in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Canada Life UK on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding their values and culture. Canada Life UK is all about building better futures, so think about how your experience aligns with that mission and be ready to share examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. As a Value Stream Lead, you'll need to demonstrate how you've tackled complex challenges in the past. Use the STAR method to structure your answers!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Canada Life UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Value Stream Lead in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Value Stream Lead role. Highlight your experience in product management and how it aligns with our customer-focused approach at Canada Life UK.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving abilities and stakeholder management skills, especially at a senior level.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key achievements and qualifications stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Canada Life UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life UK
✨Know Your Value Stream
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the value stream concept and how it applies to Canada Life. Be ready to discuss how you can shape, plan, and deliver strategic change within a value stream, showcasing your expertise in product management.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with senior stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your influencing skills and how you've managed expectations effectively, as this is crucial for the Value Stream Lead position.
✨Showcase Your Agile Experience
Since the role requires experience in Agile environments, come prepared with specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in Agile settings. Discuss any frameworks or methodologies you've used and how they contributed to successful project outcomes.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your vision and strategy clearly. The ability to communicate complex ideas simply is key. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your problem-solving capabilities effectively.